SCR39

WHEREAS, the State recognizes the harmful impacts that single-use plastics and polystyrene has on the natural environment and that many of these products originate as a result of Hawaii's tourism industry; and

WHEREAS, the State is committed to educating incoming tourists participating in group or private tours on the harmful effects of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, single-use plastics, and polystyrene on the health of humans and the environment; and

WHEREAS, visitors travel to Hawaii to experience the beauty of its natural resources, ecosystems, and cultural values, contributing nearly $17,000,000,000 to the state economy each year in doing so; and

WHEREAS, the number of visitors to Hawaii continues to increase, nearing ten million visitors annually and putting further strain on the natural environment of the islands; and

WHEREAS, an estimated forty percent of all incoming visitors to Hawaii participate in a package or organized tour, equating to approximately four million people per year; and

WHEREAS, Hawaii has the opportunity to educate approximately four million incoming visitors per year, which can have a significant impact on the consumer behavior of the global population over time; and

WHEREAS, the cost of plastic pollution on marine litter alone is estimated at $13,000,000,000 per year, which includes the impact on fisheries, tourism, and biodiversity; and

WHEREAS, the State currently produces more waste per capita than any other state and much of this waste is generated from the tourism industry; and

WHEREAS, feasible alternatives exist both on- and off-island that tourists can purchase prior to their arrival or once they have arrived in Hawaii; and

WHEREAS, surveys show that Hawaii residents are concerned about the negative impacts of tourism on the State; and

WHEREAS, providing education to our incoming visitors will benefit both the visitor experience and the quality of life for all residents and communities as the negative impact of single-use plastics, polystyrene, and sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate decrease in use, allowing for restoration of the waterways, beaches, oceans, and roadways; now, therefore,

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirtieth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2020, the House of Representatives concurring, that the State is urged to implement a statewide responsible tourism initiative to help educate tourist visitors about sustainable behaviors with respect to sunscreen containing oxybenzone or octinoxate, polystyrene, and single-use plastic food service items; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a tourism waste education advisory group is requested to be convened to recommend, assess, and advise on the statewide responsible tourism initiative; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advisory group consist of the following:

(1) The Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment;

(2) The Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection;

(3) The Attorney General, or the Attorney General's designee;

(4) The Director of Health, or the Director's designee;

(5) The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee;

(6) The Executive Director of the Office of Consumer Protection, or the Executive Director's designee;

(7) The President of the Hawaii Tourism Authority, or the President's designee;

(8) A representative from the hotel industry;

(9) A representative from the hospitality industry;

(10) A representative from the environmental protection community; and

(11) Others with relevant oversight or experience invited by the Co-Chairs; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the advisory group serve without compensation; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Chairperson of the Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Environment and Chairperson of the House of Representatives Standing Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection are urged to convene the first meeting of the advisory group; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the members of the advisory group select Co-Chairs from among themselves; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advisory group is requested to submit a recommendation to implement a statewide responsible tourism initiative to the legislature no later than December 31, 2020; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advisory group is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of each Regular Session; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the advisory group cease to exist on December 31, 2025; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor, Attorney General, Director of Health, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, and President of the Hawaii Tourism Authority.

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title:

Statewide Responsible Tourism Initiative; Visitors; Advisory Group

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	39
THIRTIETH LEGISLATURE, 2020
STATE OF HAWAII