STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3306

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 2113

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Shan S. Tsutsui

President of the Senate

Twenty-Sixth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2012

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Ways and Means, to which was referred H.B. No. 2113, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO FIRE PROTECTION,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to make it unlawful to sell, offer for sale, distribute, possess, ignite, or otherwise use aerial luminaries, also known as sky lanterns, Hawaii lanterns, or flying luminaries.

     Written comments in support of this measure were received from the Maui Fire Department, County of Maui; and Kauai Fire Department, County of Kauai.

     Your Committee finds that imposing a ban on the aerial luminaries will protect the health and safety of the community and livestock.  The aerial luminaries pose a fire threat because they are essentially open flame devices, which can land on vegetation, buildings, and power lines.  The aerial luminaries can also cause death or serious injury to livestock when aerial luminary remains are consumed.  Aerial luminaries have reportedly been banned in Georgia, Australia, and parts of Germany.  Your Committee finds it appropriate to ban these devices in Hawaii.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Ways and Means that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2113, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Ways and Means,

____________________________

DAVID Y. IGE, Chair