Urging The Department Of Health To Prioritize Testing And Research Of Beach Sand Contamination Levels At Pokai Bay And Requesting The City And County Of Honolulu Department Of Parks And Recreation To Prioritize Renovations Of The Restroom Facilities At Pokai Bay.
The resolution also highlights the importance of developing a plan to improve water circulation at Pokai Bay, aiming to enhance water quality and mitigate the risks associated with contaminants. By focusing on these pollutants, the resolution seeks to address and potentially remedy ongoing environmental issues that have been reported over the past decade, including health problems like staph infections linked to polluted sand and water. This proactive approach implies that, if acted upon, it could lead to legislative changes concerning environmental health regulations in the area.
House Resolution 163 urges the Department of Health (DOH) of Hawaii to prioritize the testing and research of fecal indicator bacteria (FIB) levels and other pollutants in the beach sand at Pokai Bay. Due to increasing concerns from beach users and local community members about the presence of health and environmental hazards stemming from pollution in Pokai Bay, the resolution emphasizes the need for immediate action. This beach is popular for its calm waters and sandy shores, but issues like runoff pollutants, illegal dumping, and user-induced contaminants raise significant health concerns.
While the resolution calls for collaboration among various state and county agencies to develop this plan, it does not specifically delineate how the results of testing will translate into policy changes or funding allocations. The demand for renovated restroom facilities at Pokai Bay is significant since current facilities may contribute to the pollution problem. Therefore, a clear timeline or strategy for these improvements is also a noted point of contention that may arise in discussions amongst government officials and stakeholders.