RECOGNIZING THE PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACTS OF AIR POLLUTION FROM INTERNAL COMBUSTION ENGINE VEHICLES AND THE RISKS THAT TRAFFIC-RELATED AIR POLLUTION POSES TO COMMUNITIES ACROSS THE STATE AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION CHOICES.

SR100

THE SENATE

S.R. NO.

100

THIRTY-THIRD LEGISLATURE, 2026

STATE OF HAWAII

SENATE RESOLUTION

RECOGNIZING the public health impacts of air pollution
from internal combustion engine vehicles and the risks that traffic-related air
pollution poses to communities across the State
AND AFFIRMING THE COMMITMENT TO TRANSITION TO CLEANER TRANSPORTATION
CHOICES.

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WHEREAS, Hawaii
is fortunate to generally experience good air quality compared to many other
parts of the United States; and

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WHEREAS, statewide
or regional air quality measurements do not always capture localized or
micro-scale pollution impacts that may occur when individuals live, work, or
attend school near sources of air pollution, such as heavily traveled roadways
or areas with concentrated transportation activity; and

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WHEREAS, internal
combustion engine vehicles contribute to a significant amount of air pollution,
including emissions of nitrogen oxides, particulate matter, carbon monoxide,
volatile organic compounds, and other pollutants that can harm human health;
and

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WHEREAS, scientific
research has demonstrated that exposure to traffic-related air pollution is
associated with a range of adverse health outcomes, including asthma, chronic
respiratory symptoms, reduced lung function, impaired lung development in
children, decreased cognitive function, cardiovascular disease, stroke, and
premature death; and

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WHEREAS, epidemiologic
evidence from places like New York's South Bronx "Asthma Alley", as
well as extensive research in California and inner-cities across the United
States, has linked proximity to traffic-related air pollution to asthma,
cardiovascular disease, and other adverse health outcomes; and

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WHEREAS, children,
older adults, and individuals with existing respiratory or cardiovascular
conditions are particularly vulnerable to the health effects of air pollution;
and

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WHEREAS, internal
combustion engine vehicle-related air pollution can infiltrate homes, schools,
and other buildings, meaning that residents may experience exposure to
pollution indoors as well as outdoors; and

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WHEREAS, research
has demonstrated that lower-income communities and communities that already
experience environmental health burdens are more likely to be located near
major roadways and other sources of pollution; and

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WHEREAS, climate
change intensifies the health impacts of traffic-related air pollution, as
warmer temperatures increase the production of ground-level ozone and fewer
trade wind days lead to less natural ventilation and dispersal of air
pollutants; and

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WHEREAS, understanding
the public health impacts of traffic-related air pollution is important for
informing policies that protect public health and reduce pollution from
transportation sources; and

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WHEREAS, the
people of Hawaii have a right to understand how traffic-related air pollution
affects the health of their families and communities; now, therefore,

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BE IT
RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-third Legislature of the State of Hawaii,
Regular Session of 2026, that this body recognizes the public health impacts of
air pollution from internal combustion engine vehicles and the risks that
traffic-related air pollution poses to communities across the State; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body acknowledges that certain communities, including those
located near major roadways and areas with concentrated transportation
activity, as well as vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and
individuals with existing health conditions, may experience disproportionate
exposure to harmful air pollution caused by internal combustion engine vehicles;
and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body recognizes that these impacts may intersect with
socioeconomic inequities and environmental justice concerns, including the
disproportionate burdens that may fall on lower-income communities; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that this body affirms its commitment to policies that reduce
pollution from transportation sources and supporting the transition toward
cleaner transportation choices that protect public health, improve air quality,
and promote more equitable outcomes for the people of Hawaii; and

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BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the
Governor, Director of Transportation, Chairperson of the Public Utilities
Commission, and Chief Energy Officer of the Hawaii State Energy Office.

OFFERED BY:

_____________________________

Report Title:
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Air Pollution;
Internal Combustion Engine Vehicles; Public Health