STAND. COM. REP. NO. 2256-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: S.C.R. No. 40

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Water & Land, to which was referred S.C.R. No. 40 entitled:

"SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION URGING THE COUNTY OF HAWAII AND CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU TO ADOPT ORDINANCES BANNING THE SALE, RENTAL, AND DISTRIBUTION OF DISPOSABLE BODYBOARDS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to urge the County of Hawaii and City and County of Honolulu to adopt ordinances banning the sale, rental, and distribution of disposable bodyboards.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Hawaii Reef and Ocean Coalition.

Your Committee finds that disposable bodyboards are often composed of polystyrene, also known as Styrofoam, which, once broken during use or discarded, can quickly disintegrate, leaving behind plastic foam that can pollute the State's reefs, shoreline, and marine ecosystems. Your Committee further finds that the counties of Maui and Kauai have taken steps to ban the sale, rental, and distribution of polystyrene bodyboards. Your Committee additionally finds that a ban on disposable bodyboards across all counties of the State would more comprehensively reduce waste and support responsible ocean recreation.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water & Land that is attached to this report, your Committee concurs with the intent and purpose of S.C.R. No. 40 and recommends its adoption.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water & Land,

____________________________

MARK J. HASHEM, Chair