This year Chevron fouled our waters with a 25,000 gallon oil spill. It was not the first time that Chevron had spilled oil or violated our environmental laws. In fact, this year alone chevron spilled oil five other times, albeit in smaller amounts. Earlier this year, the Health Department charged Chevron with improperly handling hazardous waste. And Chevron agreed to pay $100,000 to settle claims regarding air pollution at Campbell Industrial Park.
Despite Chevron's record for polluting the environment, Chevron has enjoyed remarkable success at the Legislature. Working with other special interests Chevron has crafted loopholes in our laws and blocked responsible environmental legislation. In order to reduce the influence of polluting industries, it is imperative that we elect supporters of the environment to the Legislature.
Newt Gingrich has worked with the oil, timber and mining industries to gut our environmental laws. Hawaii's Congressional Representatives Patsy Mink and Neil Abercrombie have done an outstanding job in defending the laws that protect us. Mink and Abercrombie have consistently voted to strengthen our environmental laws and have spoken out strongly against Newt Gingrich's attempts to weaken our laws. And they have succeeded!
Please remember to vote on September 21 and November 5. We urge you to consider voting for the candidates endorsed by the Sierra Club. Our endorsements are based on a lengthy questionnaire and the candidates' records. Hawaii law allows you to choose a ballot of any of the political parties. Those candidates who face particularly important primary races are marked with an *.
Patsy Mink * (D) Rural & Windward O'ahu, Neighbor Islands
Kimo Sutton * R East Honolulu
Matt Matsunaga D Kahala-St Louis
Carol Fukunaga D Makiki-Tantalus
Suzanne Chun * D Liliha-Alewa
Brian Kanno * D Ewa, Makakilo
Jackie Young D Kailua - Waimanalo
Bill Hoshijo D Aina Hina
Audrey Keesing * D Kaimuki
Scott Saiki * D McCully
Pam Ferguson Brey * D Waikiki
Jim Shon * D Makiki
Ken Hiraki * D Downtown
Kyle Chock * D Nuuanu
Len Pepper * D Halawa area
Roy Takumi * D Peal City
Tom White R Wheeler
Marcus Oshiro * D Wahiawa
Annelle Amaral * D Ewa
Alex Santiago * D North Shore
Crieghton Mattoon * D Punaluu
Iris Ikeda Catalani * D & Karen Archibald G Kaneohe
Cynthia Thielen R Kailua
Devon Nekoba * D & David Pendleton R Maunawili
Eve Anderson R Waimanalo