Urging The County Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Adopt Ordinances Banning The Sale, Rental, And Distribution Of Disposable Bodyboards.
Impact
The proposal follows similar actions taken by Maui County and Kauai County, both of which have enacted ordinances to ban these disposable items in an effort to protect their local environments. By adopting SCR40, Hawaii would initiate a comprehensive approach statewide, potentially reducing waste, promoting sustainable tourism practices, and urging other jurisdictions in the state to prioritize environmental considerations. The resolution aims to unify the counties under a common goal of preserving Hawaii's natural beauty and ecosystems, which are significant for both residents and tourists.
Summary
SCR40 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution introduced in the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii in 2026. This resolution urges the County of Hawaii and the City and County of Honolulu to adopt ordinances that would ban the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards, which are primarily made of polystyrene. The resolution highlights environmental concerns about the destructive impact of discarded bodyboards on the state's reefs and marine ecosystems due to their non-biodegradable nature. Polystyrene debris can pollute the beaches and harm wildlife, prompting the need for legislative action.
Contention
While the bill suggests a proactive step towards environmental protection, the resolution does not outline specific enforcement mechanisms or penalties. This lack of detail may raise questions about the practicality and effectiveness of implementing such ordinances. Local governments may also have varying degrees of support or resistance to this proposal based on economic interests tied to tourism and recreational activities involving bodyboards. Consequently, there could be debates around balancing environmental concerns with the economic implications for businesses that sell or rent such equipment.
Same As
Urging The County Of Hawaii And City And County Of Honolulu To Adopt Ordinances Banning The Sale, Rental, And Distribution Of Disposable Bodyboards.
Urging The City And County Of Honolulu, The County Of Maui, The County Of Hawaii, And The County Of Kauai To Establish Sister City Relationships With Other Pacific Island Municipalities.
Urging The Hawaii Housing Finance And Development Corporation To Continue Working With The City And County Of Honolulu To Efficiently Transfer The Roads Within The Villages Of Kapolei To The City And County Of Honolulu.
Urging The City And County Of Honolulu, County Of Maui, County Of Hawaii, And County Of Kauai To Create And Maintain A Comprehensive List Of Hurricane Refuges And Shelters Electronically Accessible To The Public.