HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.C.R. NO.	183
TWENTY-NINTH LEGISLATURE, 2018		H.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO REMOVE ABANDONED VEHICLES, GARBAGE, AND MARINE DEBRIS FROM PUBLIC PARKS AND BEACHES IN THE STATE WITHIN TEN BUSINESS DAYS OF THE DATE THAT THE ABANDONED VEHICLE, GARBAGE, OR MARINE DEBRIS WAS REPORTED TO THE DEPARTMENT.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, abandoned vehicles and garbage in public parks and marine debris on beaches have become a growing environmental concern, public safety risk, and public health issue; and

 

WHEREAS, places that have abandoned vehicles or that are heavily littered with garbage and marine debris tend to attract illegal activities, since they deter the public from visiting; and

 

WHEREAS, abandoned vehicles can remain in public parks and beaches for months at a time, leaking chemicals and other liquids into the ground and water that is toxic to the surrounding ecosystems; and

 

WHEREAS, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported on March 8, 2018, that some Hawaii residents have complained that their local parks and beaches are so littered with garbage and marine debris that the area has become too dangerous for people to walk around and for children to play there; and

 

WHEREAS, abandoned vehicles have the potential to become environmental and public health hazards; and

 

     WHEREAS, the odors from the garbage and marine debris make people no longer want to visit certain public parks and beaches; and

     WHEREAS, removal of abandoned vehicles, garbage, and marine debris from public parks and beaches advances the State's commitment to protecting its beaches and keeping its public areas clean and safe for all users to enjoy; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-ninth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2018, the Senate concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is urged to remove abandoned vehicles, garbage, and marine debris from public parks and beaches in the State within ten business days of the date that the abandoned vehicle, garbage, or marine debris was reported to the Department; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and Mayor of each county.

Report Title: 

Department of Land and Natural Resources; Abandoned Vehicles; Garbage; Parks; Beaches