State of Hawaii Archives: on Abortion


Andria Tupola: No public funds for abortion, except for incest and rape

Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

A: Pro-life.

Q: Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?

A: Yes. I support the current federal laws supporting the prohibition of public funds for abortion, except in cases of incest and rape. Each state has slightly different laws on the use of public funds. Only 17 states fund abortions for low-income women on similar terms as general health services. Four of these states, including Hawaii, provide funding voluntarily; in 13, courts have ordered public funding for abortion.

Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2018 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2018

Ron Curtis: Pro-life, but government should not decide

Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

A: Pro-life. In my core values, I believe we are all free to do as we chose unless it causes harm to someone else. I apply this to government as well. So I will always vote pro-choice based on the position that government should do no harm. Abortion should be safe, legal, and rare. In my pro-life stance, I am for passing legislation to support and encourage parents to carry their babies to term by offering medical assistance, maternal care assistance, and adoption assistance if wanted. This issue is better handled by family and community rather than by government.

Source: Vote Smart 2018 Hawaii Political Courage Test Jan 1, 2018

Bob McDermott: Opposed law disclosing abortion rights to women

McDermott called out the legislation's pro-abortion motivations as his colleagues voted, 41-10, to send the bill to the governor's desk. [The Hawaii bill required all abortion counselors--pro and con--to inform clients that free abortions were guaranteed under state law.
Source: PregnancyHelpNews.com on 2018 Hawaii Senate race Jul 2, 2017

Mark Takai: Faithful defender of a woman's right to choose

"Government shouldn't be involved in the most personal decisions a woman and her doctor can make. It is government's job to ensure that women have access to important and sometimes lifesaving medical services."

In Congress I intend to be a faithful defender of a woman's right to choose. Legislation, such as the so-called "Protect Life Act," which would allow hospitals and emergency doctors to deny giving a woman a life-saving abortion, is wrong.

Source: 2014 Hawaii House campaign website, MarkTakai.com Nov 4, 2014

Cam Cavasso: Human life begins at conception

Question topic: Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Cavasso: Strongly Agree

Question topic:

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Sep 30, 2014

Eddie Pirkowski: Human life begins at conception

Question topic: Human life begins at conception and deserves legal protection at every stage until natural death.

Pirkowski: Strongly Agree

Question topic: Should abortion be allowed under extenuating circumstances? If so, what circumstances?

Pirkowski: STRONG PRO LIFE AND PRO CHOICE,STRONGLY SUPPORT MOTHER'S CHOICES

Q: Do you support the exceptions for rape and incest?

Pirkowski: STRONGLY SUPPORT

Q: Do you support or oppose late-term abortions, also known as partial-birth abortions?

Pirkowski: STRONGLY OPPOSE

Q: When does life begin?

Pirkowski: CONCEPTION

Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Hawaii Senate race Jul 2, 2014

David Ige: Pro-choice; no parental consent; no public funding

Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

A: Pro-choice.

Q: Should abortions be illegal after the first trimester of pregnancy?

A: No.

Q: Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?

A: Yes.

Q: Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the prohibition of public funds for abortion procedures?

A: No.

Q: Do you support the prohibition of public funds for organizations that perform abortions?

A: No.

Ige adds, "I support the current law in the US and believe that a woman has a right to choose to have a pregnancy aborted up to the time the fetus is viable or if her health is at risk."

Source: Hawaii Congressional Election 2012 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

John Carroll: No abortion after the baby can recognize pain

Q: Do you generally support pro-choice or pro-life legislation?

A: Pro-life. I believe there should be NO abortion after first trimester or as soon as the baby can feel anything, recognizable as pain.

Source: VoteSmart 2012 Hawaii Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2012

Mazie Hirono: Endorsed by EMILY's List for pro-choice women

EMILY's List will endorse Rep. Mazie Hirono, putting its support behind the three-term Democrat early on in the competitive primary to succeed retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka. "Mazie Hirono has spent her career fighting for the people of Hawaii and we are excited to endorse her campaign for the United States Senate," EMILY's List President said.

EMILY's List, a Democratic, abortion-rights organization, has supported Hirono in her previous campaigns.

Source: Campaign website, www.mazieforhawaii.com, "Issues" Jun 28, 2011

Duke Aiona: Pro-life; respect all human life

Q: Do you consider yourself pro-choice or pro-life?

A: Pro-life.

Q: Should abortion be legal only within the first trimester of pregnancy?

A: No.

Q: Should abortion be legal when the pregnancy resulted from incest or rape?

A: No.

Q: Should abortion be legal when the life of the woman is endangered?

A: No.

Q: Do you support requiring parental notification before an abortion is performed on a minor?

A: Yes.

Q: Do you support requiring parental consent before an abortion is performed on a minor?

A: Yes.

Aiona adds, "We must respect all human life. It is my personal belief that we should do everything we can to stand up and speak out for the most innocent among us. "

Source: Hawaii Gubernatorial Election 2010 Political Courage Test Nov 1, 2010

Cynthia Thielen: No residency requirement for abortions; clinics ok

Bill Number: HB 1242 - A bill for an act relating to section 453-16, Hawaii Revised Statutes. Cynthia Thielen voted YES. Bill Passed House, 50 - 13. Synopsis:

Prohibits the State from denying or interfering with a female’s right to choose or obtain an abortion of a nonviable fetus or an abortion necessary to protect the female’s life or health. Repeals residency requirement for abortions. Permits abortions to be performed in clinics and physician’s offices.

Source: Hawaii State Legislature voting records Mar 7, 2006

Charles Djou: Waiting periods and notification OK; partial birth not OK

Source: 2000 Hawaii Legislative National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 2000

Brian Schatz: Abortions should be legally available, and funded

Source: Hawaii Legislative 1996 National Political Awareness Test Nov 1, 1996

  • The above quotations are from State of Hawaii Politicians: Archives.
  • Click here for definitions & background information on Abortion.
  • Click here for other issues (main summary page).
2020 Presidential contenders on Abortion:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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