HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.B. NO.	1916
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to beaches.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  Hawaii's beaches are famous for their crested turquoise waves crashing onto pristine, golden shores.  However, Hawaii is situated in the center of the north Pacific sub-tropical gyre, which is several ocean currents that rotate around the islands.  This natural phenomenon results in Hawaii being a natural magnet for thousands of tons of non-biodegradable rubbish from all over the ocean.  Synthetic rubbish from both sides of the Pacific, southeast Asia and South America, is washed up on Hawaii's beaches daily. 

     Clearing marine debris from the ocean and beaches is important not just for restoring the natural beauty of beaches, but also for saving marine life.  Birds and animals mistake rubbish such as plastic bags, cigarette lighters, and other brightly colored plastic as food and may suffer from internal injury, intestinal blockage, and even starvation.  Dolphins, whales, sea turtles, sharks, and seals get caught in fishing nets, lines, and other debris such as six-pack holders.  Marine debris comes from land-based sources and water-based sources, and can last for years in the ocean before disintegrating.  Local efforts to clean up Hawaii's beaches include the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii, which distributes pocket ashtrays to avoid cigarette butts on beaches and teams with Aveda Lifestyle Salon & Spa at the Ala Moana Center to recycle bottle caps.  These efforts demonstrate the community's strong desire to clean up Hawaii's beaches, preserve their natural beauty, and protect the ocean and land environment for future generations.  The legislature finds that statewide coordination of these efforts through a centralized program can provide the necessary support to community groups to clean every beach in Hawaii and control the litter and marine debris problem.

     The purpose of this Act is to establish a public service program for volunteers to pick up litter on Hawaii's beaches.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 171, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§171-   Public service program; beach litter collection.  (a)  The department shall establish Malama o ke Kahakai, a public service program for volunteer groups to care for state beach areas by picking up litter and debris.  The department may coordinate with other departments and federal government agencies to gain access to beach areas for participating volunteer groups.

(b)  The department shall provide material support to participating volunteer groups, including:

(1) Providing trash bags and safety information;

(2) Removing any filled trash bags from the beach areas;

(3) Removing heavy or hazardous items from the beach areas; and

(4) Erecting signs to recognize each volunteer group's participation.

(c)  Volunteer groups shall commit to collecting litter and debris at least four times annually.

(d)  The department may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 91 to implement this section."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:

Keiki Caucus; Litter Control; Malama o ke Kahakai Program

Description:

Establishes Malama o ke Kahakai, a volunteer public service program for volunteer groups to pick up litter from state beach areas.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.