THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

12

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025

S.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK.

 

 

     WHEREAS, the aesthetic beauty and wonder of a natural night sky is a shared heritage of all humankind; and

 

     WHEREAS, the experience of standing beneath a starry night sky inspires feelings of wonder and awe and encourages a growing interest in science and nature, especially among young people and out-of-area visitors within local communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, light pollution has significant negative economic and environmental consequences for the ecology and human health of all communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, eighty percent of the world's population, including many Hawaii residents, live under a dome of light pollution, excessive artificial lighting at night that disrupts natural darkness, and may never experience the visual wonder or ecological and health benefits of living under a dark sky; and

 

     WHEREAS, every resident has the right to enjoy darkness and an unpolluted view of the stars, just as they have the right to unpolluted water; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's unique cultural heritage is linked to star stories and our ancestors' navigational history; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's endemic birds rely on their view of the moon and stars to find their way; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii's unique marine life has existed under dark skies for thousands of years; and

 

     WHEREAS, tourism is a significant industry in Hawaii, and tourists seek experiences that reflect Hawaiian values, including preserving Hawaii's natural beauty and dark star‑filled skies; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii hosts many of the world's largest telescopes and respected observatories, including the Subaru Telescope, W. M. Keck Observatory, Gemini North Telescope, NASA Infrared Telescope Facility, James Clerk Maxwell Telescope, and others; and

 

     WHEREAS, visitors' interest in the State's telescopes and dark sky experience demonstrate the economic value of cultivating astrotourism; and

 

     WHEREAS, Hawaii is home to dozens of nocturnal endemic wildlife species that rely on undisturbed night environments to hunt, mate, and thrive; and

 

WHEREAS, DarkSky International is the globally recognized authority on light pollution and has established International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness about light pollution; and

 

WHEREAS, International Dark Sky Week aims to provide free education, resources, and solutions to the public to promote the protection and enjoyment of dark skies and encourage responsible outdoor lighting; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2025, the House of Representatives concurring, that April 21 through April 28, 2025, is requested to be recognized as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that each resident is asked to join the Legislature in raising awareness and support for protecting Hawaii's precious dark sky resources; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Board of Land and Natural Resources is requested to convene a task force to study light pollution and dark skies to ensure the preservation of dark skies throughout the State; and

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to include the following individuals:

 

     (1)  The Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources, or the Chairperson's designee, who is requested to serve as chair of the task force;

 

     (2)  The Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, or the Director's designee;

 

     (3)  The Director of Transportation, or the Director's designee;

 

     (4)  The President of the University of Hawaii, or the President's designee;

 

     (5)  The Director of the Institute for Astronomy, or the Director's designee;

 

     (6)  The Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, or the Chief Executive Officer's designee;

 

     (7)  The mayor of each county, or each mayor's designee; and

 

     (8)  A representative from the University of Hawaii at Hilo; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the chair of the task force is requested to invite the following individuals to participate as members of the task force:

 

     (1)  A representative of the United States Fish and Wildlife Service;

 

     (2)  A representative of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration;

 

     (3)  A representative of the United States Military;

 

     (4)  A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration;

 

     (5)  A representative of the United States Coast Guard;

 

     (6)  A representative of the Federal Highways Administration;

 

     (7)  A member of the Hawaiian Astronomical Society; and

 

     (8)  A representative from the DesignLight Consortium; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in developing the dark night skies protection strategies and recommendations, the task force is requested to consider and evaluate issues that include:

 

     (1)  Reduction of light pollution throughout the State;

 

     (2)  Methods to conserve energy;

 

     (3)  Cultural, scientific, astronomical, natural, tourism, and landscape related impacts and values associated with dark skies and light pollution;

 

     (4)  Protection of federally and state protected species that may be affected by artificial light;

 

     (5)  Impacts of light pollution on astronomical observations;

 

     (6)  Educational uses of the dark night sky by grades kindergarten through twelve and higher education students;

 

     (7)  Establishment of dark night sky parks, which are designated locations where residents and visitors can view the night sky and milky way with minimal interference from artificial light;

 

     (8)  Statewide monitoring of light pollution levels and long term trends in light pollution;

 

     (9)  Public safety issues related to the reduction in artificial light, as well as over-lighting resulting in glare and light trespass; and

 

    (10)  Any additional considerations the task force believes will help protect dark night skies in the State; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the task force is requested to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than December 1, of each year of 2025 and 2026; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Governor; Lieutenant Governor; Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources; Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism; Director of Transportation; President of the University of Hawaii; Director of the Institute for Astronomy; Chief Executive Officer of the Office of Hawaiian Affairs; and Mayor of each county.

 

 

 

 

Report Title:

International Dark Sky Week; Dark Skies; Light Pollution