Resolutions Adopted

Whereas, The Census Bureau's mission is to serve as the nation's leading provider of quality data about its people and economy; and

Whereas, The decennial census counts the United States population and households, providing the basis for reapportioning congressional seats, redistricting, and distributing more than $675 billion in federal funds annually to support states, counties and communities' vital programs; and

Whereas, In fiscal year 2016, Hawaiʻi received $3,682,543,845 through 55 federal spending programs guided by data derived from the 2010 Census, the 2020 Census will determine federal funding to the states, and fair and equitable distribution in future fiscal years; and

Whereas, The Oʻahu County Committee passed a resolution to support the 2020 Census and became a Community Partner through its Affirmative Action Committee, Census Subcommittee with the Census Bureau in Hawaiʻi through its Partnership Specialist, Sharlette L. Poe, who developed and executed a plan to assure full participation in the Census Bureau's first time to accept responses online, by phone, or mail; and

Whereas, Sharlette L. Poe, personally and through her staff, substantially engaged attendees at nine region legislative priorities meetings across Oʻahu held by the Oʻahu County Committee October through November 2019 to speak, answer questions, provide brochures, and explain how "Your ‘Ohana Counts" in the 2020 Census; and

Whereas, Sharlette L. Poe kept engaged with the Census Subcommittee throughout 2020 to guide efforts in the "Kick-Up" campaign and "Social Media Blitz" so more people in Hawaiʻi, despite COVID-19 pandemic restrictions, would respond to the Census, and to continuously monitor the status of self-response rates for focused contact up until the October 15, 2020 deadline; and

Whereas, Based on the collective efforts of many citizen's groups, members of Complete County Committees, and community partners working with Partnership Specialist Sharlette L. Poe, the state of Hawaiʻi counted 99.9% of households through self-response and by Census enumerators; and

Whereas, Sharlette L. Poe continued her outstanding engagement into 2021 keeping Community Partners informed on Census data releases and available training to make the most of Census data for affirmative action, diversity, equity, and inclusion purposes; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi sincerely thank Sharlette L. Poe for her dedication to duty, professionalism, outstanding community engagement, and boundless energy that contributed to successful enumeration in the State of Hawaiʻi for the 2020 Census; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Community Partnership and Engagement Program/2020 Decennial Census/Los Angeles Region Office (which oversees Census work in Alaska, California, Hawaiʻi, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, Washington).

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner was born in Baltimore, Maryland, into a family whose fight for Black equality and justice goes back more than 140 years; and

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner honored the legacy of her Great-Granduncle, John Oliver, who was born a slave, became an attorney, was on the Grand Jury that indicted Jefferson Davis, President of the Confederate States; and

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner devoted a lifetime to the struggle for equality for all; and

Whereas, Her family on her mother's side owned and operated the Afro-American, one of the largest and best-known chains of Black-owned newspapers in the United States; and

Whereas, Marsha recognized the struggle for equality was not an individual endeavor, saying,

Whereas, When the United States Supreme Court decided Brown v. Board of Education, Marsha was one of five students admitted to Baltimore's Western High School in September 1954, even though the school's principal said, "I will never see a colored girl graduate from my school;" and

Whereas, Marsha served as the President of the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Coalition of Hawaiʻi, she was also one of the original people who fought to make Martin Luther King, Jr. Day a holiday in Hawaiʻi; and

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner was a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement and a bold Civil Rights advocate her entire lifetime; and

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner dedicated much of her time to promoting and supporting the Democratic Party both in Hawaiʻi and nationally; and

Whereas, Marsha Rose Joyner contributed numerous hours as a volunteer for countless Democratic Party candidates and campaigns; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi recognize the legacy of Marsha Rose Joyner as a pioneer in the Civil Rights Movement; and be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi honor the life of Marsha Rose Joyner (May 22, 1938 to April 10, 2021) and acknowledge the impact she has left on the Democratic Party, the State of Hawaiʻi, and the United States of America; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to Marsha's husband, Kenneth R. Joyner, and the Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and all elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

Whereas, Our streets are overflowing with our neighbors without homes that may be due to poverty, substance abuse, and mental health needs; and

Whereas, In Hawaiʻi, 45 in every 10,000 people (more than double the national average) were homeless in 2019 according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development's 2019 Annual Homeless Assessment Report to Congress while the national average was 17 people per 10,000; and

Whereas, Most of Hawaiʻi's homeless population lives on Oʻahu , more than 4,400 people, according to the island's 2019 point-in-time count, and more than half of these people are unsheltered, living on sidewalks, in parks and in other public places not meant for human habitation, and homelessness has steadily increased on Oʻahu over the last decade; and

Whereas, The State Homeless Coordinator clarified there is a particular need for mental health and substance abuse services in addition to housing to address homelessness; and

Whereas, The Oʻahu Mayor's Office on Housing issued a report entitled, "Unsheltered in Honolulu" that examined unsheltered homelessness in Honolulu from 2017 to 2020, which noted that, "the majority of all 7,496 unique individuals counted as unsheltered in the 2017-2020 point-in-time reports identified Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islanders at 54%, almost a third identified as White at 32%, and the remainder as multiracial or Asian; and

Whereas, The Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) issued a State of Hawaiʻi Draft Consolidated Plan PY2021 Annual Action Plan (Plan) which provides for a five-year strategy, including a market analysis to address the housing needs of Hawaiʻi's citizens through the State's administration of the HOME Investment Partnerships, National Housing Trust Fund, Emergency Solutions Grant and Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS programs; and

Whereas, The Plan ensures that jurisdictions receiving federal assistance for housing and related needs of low-income and moderate-income families to improve the availability and affordability of decent, safe, and sanitary housing in suitable living environments; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi urge our elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party, to study, reflect upon, and speak up in advocacy for the homeless in our community, especially those suffering from substance abuse and/or in need of mental health services; and be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi urge the Mayor's Office on Housing, members of the Honolulu City Council, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Department of Hawaiian Homelands to work with HHFDC to assure that the largest unsheltered population consisting of Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders be properly represented in the Plan; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Hawaiʻi State Legislators for the island of Oʻahu who are members of the Democratic Party, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, all members of the Honolulu City Council, Hawaiʻi Housing Finance and Development Corporation, Office of Hawaiian Affairs, and Department of Hawaiian Homelands.

Whereas, Jean Fujinaga was born on January 7, 1940 in ʻAiea, Hawaiʻi; and

Whereas, She enjoyed writing so much that as a ninth-grader, she was hired at the Honolulu Star-Bulletin as an editor of The ʻAiea Cannus Speak and as a correspondent would visit the ʻAiea Community Association for news on the ʻAiea community; and

Whereas, At Waipahu High School, she was a page editor of The Cane Tassel and was a member of the Honor Society as a sophomore; and

Whereas, She received a $180 ʻAiea Lion's Club Scholarship to attend the University of Hawaiʻi (UH), Mānoa and thereafter she worked three summers at the Del Monte Cannery earning $200 a year to pay for her tuition at UH without having to ask her parents; and

Whereas, She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Education at the University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa, and a Master of Arts in English from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); and

Whereas, She strived to achieve her Master's Degree English because of the need for Community College teachers but when she returned to Hawaiʻi, there were no community colleges at that time; and

Whereas, She was an instructor in English at the University of Hawaiʻi in the fall of 1965, and pursued graduate work at the University of Hawaiʻi in Educational Philosophy; and

Whereas, She received her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, and a Doctor of Philosophy from Columbia University; and

Whereas, Jean Fujinaga became a bold feminist in the 1960s; and

Whereas, She worked as a legislative aide for Congressional Representative Patsy Mink, in her Washington D.C. office and she also worked for State Representative Tom Okamura; and

Whereas, Jean Fujinaga devoted most of her life to public service behind the scenes working for Patsy T. Mink, Tom Okamura, and the Governors' Association; and

Whereas, Jean spent hundreds of hours organizing the ‘Aiealani Senior Citizens' Group at the City and County of Honolulu's ʻAiea District Park, and at the ʻAiea Public Library as her parents were active in both institutions and she desired to continue in their legacy and heritage, and to remain a part of the community; and

Whereas, Jean's thoughts included, "My roots are here in ʻAiea. I have done many interesting things in my life because I have not been afraid"; and

Whereas, Jean Fujinaga supported dozens of campaigns of Democrats from the 1950s until her last day of life on February 7, 2021; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi honor the life and work of Jean Fujinaga (January 7, 1940 to February 7, 2021); and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to her brother, Paul Fujinaga, and the Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi and all elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

Whereas, Almost all the eastern half of Oʻahu are designated for agricultural use amid a sea of urban and conservation land; and

Whereas, The Olomana Heights residential development is offering lots starting at $1 million for two acres but using farmland for luxury homes is not a good thing when the Oʻahu County is trying to grow more of the food it consumes; and

Whereas, Many farmers and residents of Oʻahu disagree with using agricultural lands for "gentlemen estates"; and

Whereas, County-level zoning laws generally allow farm dwellings, defined as single-family homes where owners can live on the land that they farm; however, the definition is broad, it does not have to be merely an accessory to a working farm but it can be mainly a residence so long as there is some token agricultural activity going on; and

Whereas, Landowners can generally make more money using land for luxury homes rather than for growing crops causing the proliferation of "fake farms;" and

Whereas, The Honolulu Department of Planning and Permitting proposed agricultural uses for "farm dwellings" include the planting of fruit trees, vegetables and herbs, and the county ordinance allows for many other uses without a special permit, including aquaculture, composting, roadside stands, sawmills, and livestock grazing and production; and

Whereas, For a bona fide farmer, farmland is just too expensive given that farmers have to compete for farmland being used for luxury housing developments; and

Whereas, Fake Farm developments cause agricultural land to be divided up into small parcels, many of which become too small for commercial farming uses; and

Whereas, Larger tracts of land provide economies of scale so that farmers and ranchers can efficiently produce food and allows farmers and ranchers to diversify and fallow the land between crops for better productivity and less pest pressure; and

Whereas, Agricultural zoning efforts have to conserve parcel size into productive units in order to provide suitable, adequate farmland to maintain productive and feasible agricultural farmland; and

Whereas, Non-agricultural uses on agriculture land drive up the cost of agricultural lands making it difficult for farmers to own or lease lands and farmers need affordable housing for themselves and their farm workers; and

Whereas, The requirements that a "farm dwelling" must truly be an accessory to the farm and farm operations must produce $10,000 annually are necessary conditions to discourage gentleman farms; and

Whereas, To improve food security for Oʻahu, bona fide agriculture has to be protected; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi urge the State Legislature and the City Council to preserve lands zoned for agriculture to be used primarily for productive agricultural purposes only; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Hawaiʻi State Legislators for the island of Oʻahu who are members of the Democratic Party, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and all members of the Honolulu City Council.

Whereas, Hawaiʻi's coral reefs and the wildlife dependent upon them are severely threatened by the commercial harvesting of reef wildlife which is driven by the aquarium pet trade outside Hawaiʻi, in addition to climate-change-induced ocean warming and acidification, pollution, and sedimentation; and

Whereas, Climate change is forecast to kill 70% of Hawaiʻi's coral reefs over the next 30 years; and

Whereas, The aquarium pet trade targets certain herbivorous fish for ornamental purposes; and

Whereas, Fish are key for coral reef survival in the face of climate change, among other reasons because they keep algae in check and prevent it from overtaking stressed corals; and

Whereas, Commercial aquarium catch reports reveal that collection of the herbivorous yellow tang, kole, orangespine unicornfish (umaumalei), and Achilles tang (pakuʻikuʻi) in Kāneʻohe Bay, Oʻahu , dramatically increased with the yellow tang take exceeding the average island-wide take going back to 2000; and

Whereas, Coral reefs and the wildlife dependent upon marine life are a Public Trust resource "held in trust by the State for the benefit of the people;" and

Whereas, By reducing the abundance of marine life and diminishing the beauty and health of Hawaiʻi's coral reefs, the aquarium trade degrades the value and limits the myriad of benefits provided by these critical ecosystems; and

Whereas, Commercial harvesting of reef wildlife for sale for ornamental purpose outside Hawaiʻi is neither compatible with the local values and lifestyles of Hawaiʻi's residents, nor does it significantly contribute to the quality of life or economy of Hawaiʻi; and

Whereas, This highly destructive and wasteful enterprise can no longer be justified, nor be mitigated by mere regulation, given the challenges with enforcement; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi urge the Legislature to immediately take action to end commercial harvesting of our coral reef wildlife, especially herbivores, for the aquarium pet trade; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Hawaiʻi State Legislators for the island of Oʻahu who are members of the Democratic Party, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and all members of the Honolulu City Council.

Whereas, Faye Kennedy was the daughter of Wiley Choice and Zella Rae Jackson Kennedy, born April 3, 1931, in Kansas City, Missouri, she married Patrick Joseph Daly (1931-2015) January 7, 1961, and she received her Associates of Arts degree from Pasadena City College in California in 1951, her Bachelor of Arts degree from Hunter College in New York in 1955, and a Certificate of Alliance Francaise in Paris in 1956, and she was a vocational counselor at the New York State Division of Employment in New York City from 1957 to 1965, a social worker for the New York State Parole Division in New York City from 1965 to 1977, and also a parole officer fighting for prison reform before moving to Hawai‘i more than 40 years ago, and along with her sister, Florynce "Flo" Kennedy (a key member of the Civil Rights movement), together and apart, they spent their lives fighting for civil rights; and

Whereas, Faye's background and education gave her both a deep understanding and a powerful voice on issues of racial minorities, women, sexual orientation, disabilities, and all other forms of discrimination, and all the groups that she joined were multiracial and multigenerational, she understood the real value of diversity and inclusiveness and social justice; and

Whereas, Faye was a deeply respected member of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi (1994 - 2008) and served as a Hawaiʻi State Delegate to four Democratic National Conventions in Chicago (1996), Los Angeles (2000), Boston (2004), and Denver (2008, for Hawaiʻi's own Presidential Nominee Barack Obama); and

Whereas, She made an impact at every level, from the grassroots community level on her Neighborhood Board, at the State level with the Civil Rights Commission, and at the Federal level with the U.S. Advisory Council on Civil Rights, among many other civil rights activists groups; and

Whereas, Faye served as Co-Chair of the Hawaiʻi Friends for Civil Rights since 2007, 1st Vice President of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People–Hawaiʻi from 2003 to 2007, President of the Hawaiʻi Women's Political Caucus, Hawaiʻi Yacht Club since 2003, and a Board Member of Hawaiʻi Youth at Risk from 1991 to 1994, American Civil Liberties Union of Hawai‘i from 1992 to 2002, and Hawaiʻi Literacy, Inc. from 1987 to 1997; and

Whereas, Faye was a member of numerous civil rights groups, including the Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women since 2004, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition of Hawaiʻi from 1989 to 1993; Hawai‘i Advisory Committee of the United States Civil Rights Commission from 1990 to 2007, Hawaiʻi State Commission on the Status of Women from 1993 to 1995, Hawaiʻi Civil Rights Commission from 1995 to 2003, and was listed as a notable social worker and author by Marquis Who's Who, and in 1976, authored and published a book entitled, Goodbye Diane; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi recognizes the legacy of Faye Kennedy as a steadfast pioneer of the Civil Rights Movement, where she dedicated her life to being a champion for all vulnerable groups, not just African American, in a multicultural society; and be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi honor the life of Faye Kennedy (April 3, 1931 - February 28, 2020) and acknowledge the impact of she has left on the Democratic Party, the State of Hawaiʻi, and the United States of America; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Neighborhood Board Commission, Hawaiʻi Friends for Civil Rights, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People-Hawaiʻi Chapter, Hawaiʻi Women's Political Caucus, Hawaiʻi Youth at Risk, the American Civil Liberties Union of Hawaiʻi, Hawaiʻi Literacy, Inc., Honolulu County Committee on the Status of Women, the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Coalition of Hawaiʻi, the Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and all elected officials who are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi.

Whereas, Michele Yooko Matsuo was born on September 1, 1956, the only child of Theodore "Ted" Seigoro and Dorothy Itsue (Nekomoto) Matsuo of Honolulu, and Michele's father, Ted, was a veteran of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, very active in the 442nd Veterans Club, and her mother, Dorothy, authored two books on the 442nd, Boyhood to War - History and Anecdotes of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team, and Silent Valor - The Story of the 442nd Medics; and

Whereas, With all of their family's focus on the Nisei veterans of World War II, Michele grew up surrounded by these brave men, attended their meetings and events, and remained close friends with them over the years, even after her father's passing in 2005, and Michele was exceptionally devoted to these Nisei veterans, assuring that their historic accomplishments would be remembered; and

Whereas, She was an active board member and secretary of the 442nd Veterans Club and a board member of the 442nd Legacy Center, whose mission was to perpetuate the memory of the Nisei soldiers and to care for the 442nd Veterans Club building in Moʻiliʻili; and

Whereas, Michele attended the University Lab School as her mother was a health services administrator at the University of Hawaiʻi (UH), Mānoa, and after graduating from college, she received her Juris Doctorate from Georgetown University, passed the Hawaiʻi bar examination and practiced law for 42 years in private practice; and

Whereas, Michele was a member of the State Central Committee of the Democratic Party of Hawai i representing Senate District 10 (2010-2012), District Chair for House District 23 in M?noa (2006-2008), served as chair of the Education Caucus (2016-2018), helped numerous Democratic Party political campaigns, giving political advice and oftentimes serving as a bridge between older Democrats, particularly Americans of Japanese Ancestry (AJA) and younger Democrats, and she worked tirelessly for Democratic candidates since her childhood until her last day on Earth December 22, 2020, and she was deeply passionate in her fight for the protection of the indigenous pueo, the Hawaiian owl, in its UH West nesting grounds; and

Whereas, She served as a Commissioner on the Real Estate Commission in 1989 and dedicated her life to the Mānoa community through many organizations and the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and

Whereas, Michele served as Vice-President and Director of Allegra Publishing Company, Inc., and Vice-President and Director of family-owned Strategy Pacifica, Inc., her pride and joy was in her daughter, Allegra, where they started Allegra's clothing design business called "The Kitty Caffe" as they were both avid travelers specializing in clothing that could withstand the rigors of travel; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi recognizes the legacy of Michele Matsuo as a steadfast member of the State Central Committee for Senate District 10, House District 23 Chair, dedicated champion of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, the Mānoa Community, and the legacy of the 442nd Regimental Combat Team; and be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi honor the life of Michele Matsuo (September 1, 1956 to December 22, 2020) and acknowledge the impact she has left on the Democratic Party and the State of Hawaiʻi; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to her husband, Bradley John Mossman, her daughter, Allegra Somei Kealohikeaokalani Matsuo Mossman, and the Chair of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi, and all elected officials that are members of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi; and the 442nd Veterans Club and 442nd Legacy Center.

Whereas, More and more research shows that avobenzone and octocrylene are life-threatening to Oʻahu’s reefs and human life, including keiki; and

Whereas, Fifty organizations, businesses, individuals, and eminent scientists, representing more that 1,000 constituents and concerned citizens have voiced their concern over these harmful chemicals which are being used and sold in sunscreen products; and

Whereas, There is overwhelming evidence showing these chemicals are unsafe and ineffective as sunscreen that are known worldwide as damaging reef toxins that irreversibly interfere with the life cycles of Oʻahu's marine life, including coral, algae, fish, shellfish, sea urchins, and marine mammals; and

Whereas, Avobenzone can cause hormonal disruptions and has been shown to be toxic to marine plants; and

Whereas, Octocrylene is a chemical pollutant prevalent in coastal environments and has been found in Oʻahu's reefs: and

Whereas, Research shows that octocrylene collects in coral tissue and reduces their resistance to coral bleaching, and is a hormone disruptor that has been shown to cause deformities in the brains and reproductive organs of developing fish, possibly threatening entire populations, and octocrylene has been detected in fish and shellfish that are consumed by Oʻahu's residents and visitors; and

Whereas, Octocrylene affects thyroid function and delays testicular development and causes problems with female reproductive organs, and octocrylene also degrades into a chemical called benzophenone, which is a carcinogen; and

Whereas, The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration has found that sunscreen chemicals, including octocrylene, harm corals, green algae, mussels, sea urchins, fish, and dolphins; and

Whereas, The Environmental Protection Agency, Centers for Disease Control, American Cancer Society, World Health Organization, as well as hundreds of scientists and dermatologists, have reported that certain chemical sunscreens are harmful to many life forms, including humans, and have not been shown to decrease skin cancer; and

Whereas, The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not recognize avobenzone and octocrylene as safe and effective for use in sunscreens; and

Whereas, There are alternative sunscreens that are FDA approved as safe and effective, such as zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, which offer better skin protection and are less environmentally harmful; and

Whereas, Sunscreens containing octocrylene and avobenzone should be banned from sale on Oʻahu based on the Precautionary Principle, which states that if an action or policy has a suspected risk of causing severe harm to the public domain (affecting general health or the environment globally), the action should not be taken in the absence of scientific near-certainty about its safety, and under these conditions, the burden of proof of absence of harm falls on those proposing the action, not those opposing it; now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the Oʻahu County Democrats of the Democratic Party of Hawaiʻi urge the Hawaiʻi State Legislature to ban the sale of sunscreen that contain the toxic chemicals avobenzone and octocrylene as being harmful to human life, coral reefs, and reef animals; and be it

Ordered, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Hawaiʻi State Legislators for the island of Oʻahu who are members of the Democratic Party, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and all the members of the Honolulu City Council.