Hawai`i is a no nukes state. Section 8 of Article XI of the state constitution says:
NUCLEAR ENERGY
Section 8. No nuclear fission power plant shall be constructed or radioactive material disposed of in the State without the prior approval by a two-thirds vote in each house of the legislature.
So the Aloha State has no nuclear power plants.
The County of Hawai`i (“the Big Island”) has enacted on outright ban on nuclear energy:
It shall be unlawful for any person to transport radioactive material within or through the County.
It shall be unlawful for any person to store radioactive material within the County.
It shall be unlawful for any person to locate or build a nuclear energy facility which utilizes nuclear material for the production of energy within the County.
Hawai`i has a long history of opposing the proliferation and use of nuclear weapons, partly thanks to the activism of late
Congresswoman Patsy T. Mink:
Mink began her legal and political career defending pacifist activists on the Phoenix, a private boat that attempted to sail into a nuclear testing zone in 1958 to protest detonations in the Pacific Islands. After the 1963 Limited Test Ban Treaty prevented above ground testing, Mink persisted in her anti-nuclear activism against underground testing.
It’s probably no coincidence that Graham Nash and Patrick Simmons, who performed in the No Nukes concerts in New York 30 years ago, have called Hawai`i home for decades.
Nukes just aren't compatible with the Aloha Spirit.
Residents of the islands state are also concerned with the radioactivity from Fukushima impinging on their shores. And Hawai'i being Hawai'i, extremely concerned that the ahi (tuna) for their favorite dish, poke, is coming up radioactive. *
That’s why Hawai`i Congresswoman Colleen Hanabusa’s apparent affection for nuclear energy and nuclear weapons seems so misplaced.
Then again, maybe Hanabusa's stance isn’t so surprising considering that she’s a member of the New Democrat Coalition – which is heavily funded by the energy and defense industries.
Even among the New Dems, Hanabusa has compiled one of the most pro-nuclear records in Congress.
Progressive Punch gives her a score of 0 on “Crucial” votes relating to nuclear weapons.
Hanabusa even favors nuclear energy over wind and solar energy, which are so important to Hawaii's economy. She joined the vast majority of Republicans to reject an amendment that would have increased funding by $491 million for renewable energy research and development because the money have been cut from nuclear weapons programs:
She was one of just 47 Dems who helped the GOP defeat an amendment that would have increased funding by $227 million for energy efficiency and renewable energy programs – because it would also have cut $227 million from nuclear weapons programs.
Hanabusa was one of just 29 Dems that helped the GOP defeat Congressman Rush Holt’s proposal to transfer $42 million in spending on nuclear weapons to the Office of Science.
And Hanabusa was one of just 24 House Democrats unwilling to cut even $10 million from nuclear weapons when the savings would’ve funded environmental cleanup at former nuclear energy research facilities.
Hanabusa is trying to oust incumbent Senator Brian Schatz. They’ll face each other in Hawaii's Democratic primary on August 9, 2014.
Though some in the media are trying to make the race about personalities, Hanabusa and Schatz have fundamental policy differences.
Hanabusa describes herself as a "centrist" (and we know what that means), while Schatz identifies as a progressive. Their self-assessments are accurate.
In fact, there may not be a Senate primary next year that gives Democratic voters a clearer choice when it comes to important issues.
Whereas Hanabusa has a record of expanding nuclear weaponry, Schatz has been endorsed by the Council for a Livable World, which is striving for a world free of nuclear weapons.
The Council for a Livable World’s views seem to be in synch with Hawai`i voters. Indeed, the organization has previously helped elect Hawai`i Senators Daniel Akaka, Daniel Inouye, and (Schatz’s current colleague) Mazie Hirono.
Hanabusa is banking on upsetting this trend with a nuclear-industry-powered campaign. Will it work? You can weigh in by using this link to make a contribution today.
Today is the end of the reporting quarter. The reality of politics is the fundraising numbers are scrutinized by political fence-sitters and can make a big difference in their decision to support a candidate. It shouldn't be that way but that is a subject of another diary: "Supreme Court takes case - may make Citizen's United even worse.."
*Scientists currently say there is only a very minute chance of damage from radioactive currents or fish, but Hawai'i residents worry anyway. We love our poke! (cut up raw fish)