SCR 142: URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE recommendationS ON the ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	142
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026		S.D. 1
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

URGING THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH TO MAKE recommendationS ON the ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

 

 

     WHEREAS, dust and airborne particulate matter can pose serious health risks, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic conditions; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust may carry heavy metals, organic chemicals, pathogens, bioaerosols, silica, asbestos, or other harmful substances; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring is the process of measuring and tracking the concentration, type, and movement of dust particles in the air or in a specific environment; and 

 

WHEREAS, a dust monitoring station is a device or network of devices that continuously measures airborne particulate matter, including coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particles, and can provide real-time data on dust levels; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring stations help protect public health by identifying elevated levels of harmful particulate matter that can aggravate respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic conditions, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions; and 

 

WHEREAS, the data collected by dust monitoring stations supports informed policy and regulatory decisions by providing accurate, site-specific measurements of airborne dust, enabling agencies to implement effective mitigation strategies and ensure compliance with environmental standards; and 

 

WHEREAS, real-time and historical data from dust monitoring stations promotes transparency and community engagement by allowing residents, researchers, and local decision-makers to access and understand air quality conditions in their area; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring stations can also support environmental research and long-term planning by tracking trends in airborne particulate matter, identifying sources of dust pollution, and assessing the effectiveness of dust control measures over time; and 

 

WHEREAS, Waimanalo Gulch, including the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, is a site of ongoing waste management and landfill activity that can generate dust impacting surrounding communities; and 

 

WHEREAS, current air quality monitoring in the vicinity does not include dedicated dust monitoring stations at or immediately surrounding Waimanalo Gulch, limiting the ability of state and local agencies to assess exposure risks and implement mitigation measures; and 

 

WHEREAS, establishing dust monitoring stations would provide critical data to inform public health protections, enforce environmental regulations, and guide dust control and mitigation strategies; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Clean Air Branch of the Department of Health, has the expertise and technical capability to establish and maintain particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) monitoring stations, as demonstrated by existing monitoring sites on Oahu; now, therefore, 

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Health, in coordination with other relevant agencies, is urged to make recommendations on:

 

     (1)  The establishment of dust monitoring stations at strategic locations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, with a focus on PM2.5 and PM10; 

 

     (2)  Provision of real-time public access to dust and air quality data collected from these stations; and 

 

     (3)  Development of a plan for regular reporting, data review, and community notification in the event that particulate matter levels exceed safe thresholds; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health, in coordination with the City and County of Honolulu and other relevant agencies, is requested to submit a comprehensive report to the Legislature on the recommendations of dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, including: 

 

     (1)  The locations, types, and technical specifications of proposed or existing dust monitoring stations; 

 

     (2)  The levels and types of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and other airborne contaminants detected; 

 

     (3)  The potential sources of dust and associated risks to public health and the environment; 

 

     (4)  Recommended strategies for dust mitigation and community protection; and 

 

     (5)  Any relevant data, findings, or trends from ongoing monitoring efforts; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit its report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of Health and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu. 

 

 

Report Title: 

Dust Monitoring Stations; Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill

THE SENATE	S.C.R. NO.	142
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026
STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE ESTABLISHMENT OF DUST MONITORING STATIONS IN AND AROUND WAIMANALO GULCH TO PROTECT PUBLIC HEALTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL QUALITY.

 

 

     WHEREAS, dust and airborne particulate matter can pose serious health risks, including respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic conditions; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust may carry heavy metals, organic chemicals, pathogens, bioaerosols, silica, asbestos, or other harmful substances; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring is the process of measuring and tracking the concentration, type, and movement of dust particles in the air or in a specific environment; and 

 

WHEREAS, a dust monitoring station is a device or network of devices that continuously measures airborne particulate matter, including coarse (PM10) and fine (PM2.5) particles, and can provide real-time data on dust levels; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring stations help protect public health by identifying elevated levels of harmful particulate matter that can aggravate respiratory, cardiovascular, and allergic conditions, particularly among vulnerable populations such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing health conditions; and 

 

WHEREAS, the data collected by dust monitoring stations supports informed policy and regulatory decisions by providing accurate, site-specific measurements of airborne dust, enabling agencies to implement effective mitigation strategies and ensure compliance with environmental standards; and 

 

WHEREAS, real-time and historical data from dust monitoring stations promotes transparency and community engagement by allowing residents, researchers, and local decision-makers to access and understand air quality conditions in their area; and 

 

WHEREAS, dust monitoring stations can also support environmental research and long-term planning by tracking trends in airborne particulate matter, identifying sources of dust pollution, and assessing the effectiveness of dust control measures over time; and 

 

WHEREAS, Waimanalo Gulch, including the Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill, is a site of ongoing waste management and landfill activity that can generate dust impacting surrounding communities; and 

 

WHEREAS, current air quality monitoring in the vicinity does not include dedicated dust monitoring stations at or immediately surrounding Waimanalo Gulch, limiting the ability of state and local agencies to assess exposure risks and implement mitigation measures; and 

 

WHEREAS, establishing dust monitoring stations would provide critical data to inform public health protections, enforce environmental regulations, and guide dust control and mitigation strategies; and 

 

WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Department of Health, Clean Air Branch, has the expertise and technical capability to establish and maintain particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) monitoring stations, as demonstrated by existing monitoring sites on O‘ahu; now, therefore, 

 

BE IT RESOLVED that the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2026, the House of Representatives concurring, urges the Department of Health, in coordination with other relevant agencies, to: 

1. Establish dust monitoring stations at strategic locations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, with a focus on PM2.5 and PM10; 

2. Provide real-time public access to dust and air quality data collected from these stations; and 

3. Develop a plan for regular reporting, data review, and community notification in the event that particulate matter levels exceed safe thresholds; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED the Department of Health, in coordination with the City and County of Honolulu and other relevant agencies, is requested to submit a comprehensive report to the Hawaii State Legislature on the establishment and operation of dust monitoring stations in and around Waimanalo Gulch, including: 

1. The locations, types, and technical specifications of proposed or existing dust monitoring stations; 

2. The levels and types of particulate matter (PM2.5, PM10) and other airborne contaminants detected; 

3. The potential sources of dust and associated risks to public health and the environment; 

4. Recommended strategies for dust mitigation and community protection; and 

5. Any relevant data, findings, or trends from ongoing monitoring efforts; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Health is requested to submit its report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the Regular Session of 2027; and 

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Director of the Hawaii State Department of Health, the Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu, and any other appropriate state or local agencies. 

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

 

 

 

Report Title: 

Dust Monitoring Stations; Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill