Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2006

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 233 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this concurrent resolution is to ensure that appropriate resources are provided to clean up military munitions dumpsites, protect human health and the environment, and prevent additional contamination.

Specifically this measure requests the military to:

(1) Map and monitor dumpsites off Hawaii shores;

The Chamber of Commerce of Hawaii supported the intent of this measure.

Your Committee finds that according to a 2001 study conducted by the United States Army, vast quantities of extremely dangerous chemical weapons were dumped in at least three major events off Hawaii's shores. Military munitions pose serious environmental and human health dangers, with over 9,000 tons of chemical munitions lying on the ocean floor off Oahu. Because of inaccurate records and locations of the dumpsites, coupled with the potential for munition casings to erode, this measure is necessary to protect the public safety and environment.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Public Safety & Military Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 233 and recommends its adoption.