HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.C.R. NO.

115

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 
   


HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

requesting the counties to address light pollution issues THROUGH their BUILDING ordinances.

 

 

WHEREAS, artificial lighting on the ocean or illuminating the shoreline and nearshore waters can be disruptive to both avian and marine life; and

WHEREAS, such artificial lights have been documented to cause the death of hatching sea turtles, fledgling shearwaters, nocturnal flying sea birds, and migratory birds; and

WHEREAS, laboratory studies have shown that artificial lights can also harm corals that naturally spawn during a full moon by inducing them to spawn artificially during the dark phase of the moon cycle; and

WHEREAS, there are reports by fishers that such artificial illumination affects the behavior of fish; and

WHEREAS, both the State and the counties need to manage effective lighting control to minimize and mitigate light pollution; and

WHEREAS, The increasing desires to light exterior areas for safety, security, amenities, commercial activities, and sports events makes the problem of lighting more frequent and complex where lighting products are very often misapplied, badly aimed, or poorly designed.

WHEREAS, frequently, lighting is not confined to the originating property and the spill of light over property lines can illuminate adjacent grounds or buildings in an objectionable manner causing glare that may be visible into nearby or distant areas which is known as light trespass.

WHEREAS, light trespass and glare are quite subjective and can be difficult to eliminate however, they can be mitigated and minimized through good design practices such as proper placement of poles, selection of luminaire optics, and shielding accessories which can be reasonably stated in county codes where each county can best address lighting issues through their individual building ordinances; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-second Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2004, the Senate concurring, that the counties are requested to address light pollution issues, especially shoreline light pollution issues through their building ordinances; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Mayor and the Chairperson of the Council of each county.

 

 

Report Title:

Light Pollution; Cities and Counties; Building Ordinances