SR 8: RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK.

SENATE 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, 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 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

SENATE 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, that April 21 through April 28, 2025, shall 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 certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Report Title:

International Dark Sky Week; Dark Skies; Light Pollution

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1630

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    S.R. No. 8

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts, to which was referred S.R. No. 8 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to request that April 21 through April 28, 2025, be recognized as International Dark Sky Week in Hawaii.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources and six individuals.

     Your Committee finds that light pollution has significant negative economic and environmental consequences for the ecology and human health of all communities.  Your Committee further finds that Darksky International is the globally recognized authority on light pollution and has established International Dark Sky Week to raise awareness about light pollution.  Your Committee concludes that recognizing International Dark Sky Week will promote the protection and enjoyment of dark skies and encourage responsible outdoor lighting.  Your Committee further finds that implementing a task force to provide recommendations on dark sky legislation will further benefit the State.

     Accordingly, your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Adding language to convene a task force to study light pollution and dark skies to ensure the preservation of dark skies throughout the State;

     (2)  Requesting the task force include the following individuals:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

     (3)  Requesting the chair of the task force invite the following individuals to participate as members of the task force:

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

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

          (C)  A representative of the United States Military;

          (D)  A representative of the Federal Aviation Administration;

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

          (F)  A representative of the Federal Highways Administration;

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

          (H)  A representative from the DesignLight Consortium;

     (4)  Specifying issues that the task force is requested to consider and evaluate when developing the dark night skies protection strategies and recommendations;

     (5)  Requesting that the task force submit a report to the Legislature, no later than December 1, of each year of 2025 and 2026; and

     (6)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 8, as amended herein, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto as S.R. No. 8, S.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Transportation and Culture and the Arts,