SCR19 • 2026

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

Education

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: KANUHA, INOUYE, RICHARDS, San Buenaventura
Last action: 2026-04-20
Official status: Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on EDN as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.

What This Bill Does

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
DLNR; DOE; State Public Charter School Commission; Student Coral Stewardship Program; Coral Reefs; Sunscreen; Public Education; Reports

Limits and Unknowns

This entry is temporarily using official source text because the generated explanation could not be confirmed against the official bill text during the last sync.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

HD1

Hawaii published version HD1

Plain English: SCR19 HD1 THE SENATE S.C.R.

SCR19 HD1 THE SENATE S.C.R.
NO.
19 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII H.D.

SD1

Hawaii published version SD1

Plain English: SCR19 SD1 THE SENATE S.C.R.

SCR19 SD1 THE SENATE S.C.R.
NO.
19 THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026 S.D.
1 STATE OF HAWAII SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION requesting the DIVISION of Aquatic resources TO collaborate with the department of education and state public charter school commission to develop and propose a framework for a student coral stewardship program.

Bill History

2026-04-20 H
Report adopted; referred to the committee(s) on EDN as amended in HD 1 with none voting aye with reservations; none voting no (0) and Representative(s) Alcos, Cochran, Woodson excused (3).
2026-04-20 H
Reported from WAL (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 2190-26) as amended in HD 1, recommending referral to EDN.
2026-04-16 H
The committee on WAL recommend that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes were as follows: 8 Ayes: Representative(s) Hashem, Morikawa, Belatti, Ichiyama, Iwamoto, Poepoe, Shimizu, Souza; Ayes with reservations: none; Noes: none; and 1 Excused: Representative(s) Woodson.
2026-04-13 H
Resolution scheduled to be heard by WAL on Thursday, 04-16-26 9:00AM in conference room 411 VIA VIDEOCONFERENCE.
2026-04-10 H
Referred to WAL, EDN, referral sheet 27
2026-04-09 H
Received from Senate (Sen. Com. No. 442) in amended form (SD 1).
2026-04-09 S
Report and Resolution Adopted, as amended (SD 1). Transmitted to House.
2026-04-08 S
One Day Notice 04-09-26.
2026-04-08 S
Reported from WLA (Stand. Com. Rep. No. 3538) with recommendation of adoption, as amended (SD 1).
2026-03-30 S
The committee(s) on WLA recommend(s) that the measure be PASSED, WITH AMENDMENTS. The votes in WLA were as follows: 4 Aye(s): Senator(s) Lee, C., Inouye, Lamosao, DeCorte; Aye(s) with reservations: none ; 0 No(es): none; and 1 Excused: Senator(s) Chang.
2026-03-27 S
The committee(s) on WLA has scheduled a public hearing on 03-30-26 1:00PM; Conference Room 224 & Videoconference.
2026-02-13 S
Referred to WLA.
2026-02-10 S
Offered.

Official Summary Text

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND STATE PUBLIC CHARTER SCHOOL COMMISSION TO COLLABORATE WITH THE DIVISION OF AQUATIC RESOURCES OF THE DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES TO DEVELOP AND PROPOSE A FRAMEWORK FOR A STUDENT CORAL STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM.
DLNR; DOE; State Public Charter School Commission; Student Coral Stewardship Program; Coral Reefs; Sunscreen; Public Education; Reports

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SCR19

THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

19

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

requesting the department of land and natural resources TO
collaborate with the department of education and state public charter school
commission to develop a student coral stewardship program.

����
WHEREAS, Hawai
ʻ
i's coral reefs are
critical to the State's environment, culture, shoreline protection, and
economy, yet they are increasingly threatened by climate change, pollution, and
human activities; and

����
WHEREAS, scientific
research has shown that certain chemical-based sunscreen ingredients, including
oxybenzone and octinoxate, contribute to coral bleaching and harm marine
ecosystems when they enter nearshore waters; and

����
WHEREAS, the
Legislature has demonstrated leadership in coral reef protection through Act
104, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018, which restricts the sale and distribution of
sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs; and

����
WHEREAS, many
residents and visitors wish to comply with reef-safe practices but face
barriers, including limited access, higher cost, or lack of information
regarding reef-safe sunscreen options; and

����
WHEREAS, improving
public education and awareness regarding reef-safe practices, including the use
of mineral-based sunscreen, can help protect coral reefs while also promoting
skin cancer prevention and public health; and

����
WHEREAS, students
across Hawai
ʻ
i
have demonstrated a strong interest, research capacity, and leadership in coral
reef science, environmental stewardship, and community education; and

����
WHEREAS, public
charter schools in the State, such as West Hawai
ʻ
i
Explorations Academy on Hawai
ʻ
i
Island, have demonstrated a strong commitment to the early education of
students in ocean protection and marine stewardship by integrating place-based,
experiential learning focused on Hawai
ʻ
i's
marine environments into their curriculum; and

����
WHEREAS, collaboration
among the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Education, State
Public Charter School Commission, and interested students can strengthen coral
reef restoration efforts through education, outreach and stewardship; now,
therefore,

����
BE IT
RESOLVED by 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 Land and Natural Resources is requested to collaborate with the
Department of Education and State Public Charter School Commission to develop
and propose a Student Coral Stewardship Program that assists with public
education, outreach, and reef-safe sunscreen awareness at state beaches; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Student Coral Stewardship Program is intended to be
educational, voluntary, and non-enforcement in nature, and may include
student-led outreach, educational materials, and community engagement
activities informed by current scientific research; and

����
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to
submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the
convening of the Regular Session of 2027 that summarizes collaborative efforts,
including input and perspectives from participating students, and that presents
any legislative, policy, or funding recommendations necessary to advance coral
reef protection and student stewardship initiatives; and

����
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent
Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural
Resources, Superintendent of Education, and Executive Director of the State
Public Charter School Commission.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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DLNR;
DOE; State Public Charter School Commission; Student Coral Stewardship Program;
Coral Reefs; Sunscreen; Public Education; Reports