Cockfighting is illegal, but that didn't stop Hawaii lawmakers from advancing a resolution yesterday recognizing its cultural value.

In front of a crowded room of cockfighting enthusiasts and animal welfare advocates, the House Tourism, Culture and International Affairs Committee passed the resolution in a 4-2 vote, moving it to the House Judiciary Committee.

The resolution doesn't have the force of law and wouldn't legalize cockfighting, which is prohibited in all 50 states. But supporters say cockfighting has a long history in Hawaii and among Filipino immigrants who cherish it.

“;Hawaii is our home and our culture,”; testified Paul Romias of Waianae. “;We are cockfighters, and there's nothing wrong with it.”;

Animal rights groups called cockfighting a cruel blood sport that uses gaffs—sharp knives tied to game birds' legs—in a duel to the death.

“;We should recognize that a cultural practice can be immoral even though it's immensely valuable by those who practice it,”; said Cathleen Matsushima of Kalihi, who told lawmakers about a neighbor beaten to death in 2001 in a cockfighting dispute.

  Legislature Adopts Resolutions For Cockfighting

 

Resolutions do NOT have the power of law, but cockfighting activists hope the two measure will be an important first

 

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Before adopting the resolution, representatives amended it to include a line saying that they don't support gaffs or gambling, which often surrounds cockfighting.

One of the lawmakers to vote against it, Rep. James Tokioka of Kauai, said he worries that this resolution may be misleading because it supports cockfighting but doesn't legalize it.

“;We're sending mixed messages,”; said Tokioka (D, Wailua-Koloa). “;Why do we pass it if we're not going to get to the next step?”;

Inga Gibson, Hawaii state director for the Humane Society of the United States, said the blades, blood and death involved in cockfighting prove that it shouldn't be permitted.

“;This is not something you would see naturally occurring in the wild. This is animals being forced to fight,”; Gibson said. “;It's about a sick sense of entertainment.”;

Cockfighting fans argued that the practice is already widespread, and it could boost the economy if it were legitimized.

“;We lost the sugar cane. We lost the pineapple. What we have now is, we are depending on tourists. ...Why not legalize chicken fighting?”; asked George Senen of Waipahu.

Cockfighting is a misdemeanor under state law, punishable by a maximum fine of $2,000 and one year in prison. Police testified that cockfighting laws are difficult to enforce because of Hawaii's strict privacy laws.

Cockfighting is a felony in 39 states, and federal law bars moving gaffs and other cockfighting tools across state borders.

ON THE NET:

» capitol.hawaii.gov, search for HCR277 and HR199