THE SENATE S.R. NO. 8 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING INTERNATIONAL DARK SKY WEEK.
THE SENATE S.R. NO. 8
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
THE SENATE
S.R. NO.
8
THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2025
STATE OF HAWAII
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. OFFERED BY: _____________________________ Report Title: International Dark Sky Week; Dark Skies; Light Pollution
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.
OFFERED BY: _____________________________
OFFERED BY:
_____________________________
Report Title:
International Dark Sky Week; Dark Skies; Light Pollution