Hilo, Hawaii
VIDEO by David Corrigan

The forth draft of a highly debated resolution that would oppose mandatory vaccinations on the Big Island, allowing residents to exempt themselves for any reason, was passed during the Hawaii County Council meeting on Wednesday.

Proponents of the resolution declared the vote a victory for freedom, and a warning to those who seek mandatory medical authorizations under Federal “national emergency” statutes. The vote was 7-1 in favor with County chair J Yoshimoto casting the only no vote. Council member Guy Enriques was absent.

The resolution was sponsored by Puna Councilwoman Emily Naeole-Beason and was in large part the passionate work of her aide, RJ Hampton, who believes that people should have the right to refuse flu vacciniations if they so choose.

The wording of the resolution had to be ammended numerous times.

The final wording:

RESOLUTION NO. 237 09 (Draft 4)

A RESOLUTION URGING HAWAII STATE AND FEDERAL LEGISLATORS TO AMEND VACCINE LAWS TO INCLUDE THE RIGHT OF MEDICAL, RELIGIOUS, AND PHILOSOPHICAL EXEMPTION FROM ANY VACCINATION PROGRAM.

WHEREAS, on June 11, 2009, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared a Level 6 “pandemic” and according to the International Health Regulations of 2005, the WHO and the U.N. become the controlling agencies of the U.S. in the event of a declared Level 6 Pandemic; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii Revised Statute § 302A-1157, titled Exemptions from immunization; not recognized; epidemic conditions, states: “If at any time there is, in the opinion of the department of health, danger of an epidemic from any of the communicable diseases for which immunization is required under sections 302A-1154 to 302A-1163, no exemption from immunization against the disease shall be recognized. Quarantine shall be a legal alternative to immunization;” and

WHEREAS, on April 25, 2005, Governor Linda Lingle signed into law S.B. 781 and H.B. 672 relating to the Enforcement of Quarantine, which clarifies that police officers and sheriffs have the authority and duty to enforce quarantine orders when required by the Department of Health; and

WHEREAS, vaccines are made with toxic chemicals and foreign proteins (viruses and bacteria), and some vaccines are made with genetically engineered viral and bacterial materials; and

WHEREAS, the $7 billion United States Government `fast-track program’ means that the government can legally rush vaccines onto the market in time for the autumn 2009 flu season without “normal” or adequate safety testing; and

WHEREAS, Homeland Security Bill HR 5710, Sections 1714-1717, shields the pharmaceutical industry from lawsuits for injuries caused by FDA-approved vaccines; and

WHEREAS, there is insufficient scientific evidence proving that vaccines are safe or effective, therefore it is not in the best interest of public health to recommend vaccinations without exemptions; and

WHEREAS, in the wake of potential harm to the individual and the public from vaccinations, and the vacillating interpretation of “vaccine science,” it is in the public’s best interest to amend the vaccine laws, to include the right of medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions from any vaccination program; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII, that it urges our state and federal elected officials who represent the people of the State of Hawaii to amend vaccine laws to include medical, religious, and philosophical exemptions from any vaccine program.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that any vaccine known to contain harmful viruses or any materials known to prompt autoimmune diseases or cancer risks shall provide cause for exemption for any person in the State of Hawaii who so desires such exemption.

BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the county clerk shall forward a copy of this resolution to the Honorable William Kenoi, Mayor; Dr. Chiyome Fukino, Director Department of Health; the Honorable Linda Lingle, Governor; the Honorable Daniel Akaka, U. S. Senator; the Honorable Daniel Inouye, U. S. Senator; the Honorable Mazie Hirono, U.S. Representative; the Honorable Neil Abercrombie, U.S. Representative; the Honorable Colleen Hanabusa, State Senate President; and the Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say, Speaker of the State House.

In this video, Hampton gives animated testimony during the public statement portion of the council meeting, making comical referance to the stigma that such resolutions (like herself) are “without teeth”. Naeole noted for the record that RJ was “off the clock” and not speaking on county time.

The Hawaii State Department of Health spokesperson Janice Okubo has said in response to the resolution that residents should consider the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention an authoritative source.

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