Hawai’i State Legislature is floating two companion bills, HB 1118 and SB 1437, that would discontinue religious (or the Orwellian “non-medical”) exemptions to vaccination in public schools.

Indeed, just last week HB 1118 was passed by the House Committee on Health. While I do appreciate Section 2b of HB 1118, which maintains religious exemptions for those already approved, legally there should be no “ban” on religious practice at all.

The Constitution, Amendment 1: Congress shall make no law… prohibiting the free exercise [of religion] thereof …

The Constitution, Article VI, Clause 2: This Constitution … shall be the supreme Law of the Land …

It is important to note that it is acceptable to manifest religion through observance and to do so publicly or privately; thus, if an individual of any religion selects to observe said religion by declining vaccination on genuine religious grounds, they have the right to do so, even in public settings.

To see our State Legislature attempt to disrespect that document is disheartening and indicative of a ruling class disconnected from their purpose: to provide for the general welfare of the country by operating within the limits of the Constitution.

To artificially continue those past political zeitgeists–especially without an imminent public health crisis–through the oppression of certain aspects of religious practice sheds a terrible shadow upon one’s motives.

Please submit testimony in opposition to HB 1118 and SB 1437. Additionally, we all must ceaselessly email and call our designated senators and representatives to vote in opposition to these bills.

Kalia “Bear” Kaneta

Kihei