RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, graffiti, which can be defined in our modern society as any unauthorized marking on public or private property, is a criminal act and a blight on the landscape of the State; and

WHEREAS, there are many forms of graffiti and anything can serve as a medium: paint, ink, dirt, blood, spray paint, pencils, knives, among others; and

WHEREAS, if graffiti remains on property in Hawaii, it may become a sign of urban decay, sending a visible message of lawlessness and a state unconcerned about its appearance; and

WHEREAS, graffiti undermines community development, especially efforts aimed at bringing in new businesses and attracting revitalizing investments; and

WHEREAS, areas where graffiti markings are not removed quickly may be more prone to subsequent acts of graffiti, vandalism, and violence -- based upon the recognition and competition that often exists between graffiti offenders; and

WHEREAS, public thoroughfares, rights-of-way, and easements under state jurisdiction are often plagued by graffiti and are not always painted over or cleaned in a timely manner; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2005, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Transportation is requested to paint over graffiti along any state-owned thoroughfare, rights-of-way, or easement within its jurisdiction as soon as possible of the graffiti being reported to the Department or noticed by a Department worker; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Legislature requests that graffiti along the H-1 freeway, and other heavily traveled roads be made a high priority in graffiti removal efforts; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Director of Transportation.

Report Title:

Graffiti