THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	13
TWENTY-FIFTH LEGISLATURE, 2010
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the establishment of a public service program for volunteers to pick up litter from Hawaii's beaches.

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's beaches are famous for their crested turquoise waves crashing onto pristine, golden shores; and

     WHEREAS, however, Hawaii is situated in the center of the north Pacific sub-tropical gyre, which is several ocean currents that rotate around the islands; and

     WHEREAS, this natural phenomenon results in Hawaii being a natural magnet for thousands of tons of non-biodegradable rubbish from all over the ocean; and

     WHEREAS, synthetic rubbish from both sides of the Pacific, southeast Asia and South America, is washed up on Hawaii's beaches daily; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, dolphins, whales, sea turtles, sharks, and seals get caught in fishing nets, lines, and other debris such as six-pack holders; and

     WHEREAS, marine debris comes from land-based sources and water-based sources, and can last for years in the ocean before disintegrating; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, 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; and

     WHEREAS, statewide coordination of these efforts through a centralized program can provide the necessary support for community groups to clean every beach in Hawaii and control the litter and marine debris problem; now, therefore,

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Twenty-fifth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2010, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to establish a public service program for volunteers to pick up litter on Hawaii's beaches; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to:

     (1)  Establish Malama o ke Kahakai, a public service program for volunteers to care for Hawaii's beaches by picking up litter and debris;

     (2)  Coordinate with community groups, churches, or businesses to adopt a beach by agreeing to pick up litter and debris in that area at least four times per year;

     (3)  Provide trash bags and safety information to volunteers;

     (4)  Remove filled trash bags from the beaches and remove heavy or hazardous items; and

     (5)  Erect a sign to recognize volunteer groups' cleaning efforts; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to provide a report on the progress of Malama o ke Kahakai to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the 2011 Regular Session; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources.

OFFERED BY:

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Report Title: 

Keiki Caucus; Litter Control; Malama o ke Kahakai Program