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.

SCR142

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
.

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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:
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Dust
Monitoring Stations; Waimanalo Gulch Sanitary Landfill