STAND. COM. REP. 2998

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 1743

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 1743, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LIGHT POLLUTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to protect ocean resources from artificial light pollution by prohibiting structures within special management areas from positioning artificial light towards or directly illuminating the ocean water unless authorized or required for public safety or safe ocean navigation.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the United States Fish and Wildlife Service; the Sierra Club, Hawaii Chapter; the Hawaii Audubon Society; the Portlock Community Association; Brian's Fishing Supply; Kahea, the Hawaiian-Environmental Alliance; and thirteen individuals. Testimony in opposition to the measure was received from the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association and the Land Use Research Foundation of Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that this measure is designed to preserve and protect marine life from the negative impacts attributed to high intensity artificial light beaming directly on the ocean water from structures located within special management areas. High intensity artificial light directed onto the surface of the ocean radically alters the mating and feeding habits of migrating sea birds, sea turtles, and many species of fish.

Fishermen also testified that artificial light directed onto the ocean alters the nocturnal habits of fish, making it increasingly difficult to locate and catch fish for a livelihood. Your Committee notes the concerns expressed by the Hawaii Hotel and Lodging Association that the measure is potentially too broad. This measure, however, is limited to prohibiting artificial light that is positioned toward or directly illuminating the ocean.

Your Committee has amended the measure by removing the definition of light pollution and by deleting references to the shoreline and near shore areas to narrow the scope of the bill to make it applicable only to artificial light positioned toward or directed onto the ocean.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1743, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1743, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Water, Land, and Agriculture.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development,

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair