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INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR <br />Amendment to Planning Commission Rule 9 (Special Management Area) by including <br />requirements to mitigate the adverse impacts of light pollution in coastal areas and artificial <br />lights on the shoreline and ocean waters by prohibiting the positioning of artificial lights in a <br />manner causing direct illumination of the shoreline and ocean waters. This amendment is <br />mandated by Act 224, Session Law of Hawaii 2005. <br />(SEE EXHIBIT A) <br />AMEND PLANNING The Commission took this item up at 11:30 a.m. with 4 people <br />COMMISSION RULE 9 from the public in attendance. <br />PLANNING DIRECTOR <br />SPECIAL MANAGEMENT <br />AREA <br />LIGHT POLLUTION <br />INITIATOR: PLANNING DIRECTOR <br />Amendment to Planning Commission Rule 9 (Special Management Area) by including <br />requirements to mitigate the adverse impacts of light pollution in coastal areas and artificial <br />lights on the shoreline and ocean waters by prohibiting the positioning of artificial lights in a <br />manner causing direct illumination of the shoreline and ocean waters. This amendment is <br />mandated by Act 224, Session Law of Hawaii 2005. <br />Mr. Darrow briefly described the proposed amendment, noting the Legislature found light <br />pollution can be disruptive to avian and marine life. <br />In response to Commissioner Siracusa’s question about the applicability of the amendment to the <br />existing lighting on the grounds of the hotels along the coast, Mr. Hayashi said that hotels are <br />exempt as long as they meet with certain criteria, and made reference to Act 224, which states, <br />“Subsection (a) shall not apply to special management area use permits for structures with: 1) an <br />outdoor lighting fixture that is located on the grounds of a hotel/hotel-condo, provided that (A) <br />the outdoor lighting fixture is located underwater or is directed downward and illuminates a <br />limited area of no more than thirty feet into the shoreline and ocean waters; or (B) the outdoor <br />lighting fixture is the only practicable means of ensuring the safety and security of guests, <br />visitors, and employees; and 2) Artificial lighting provided by a government agency or its <br />authorized users for government operations ….” <br />Commissioner Woodward commented that the proposal is a great idea, and that he can’t imagine <br />anybody would oppose it. He mentioned that the biggest impact of light pollution in coastal <br />areas is on turtle hatchlings as they get attracted to high beams instead of moon beams and would <br />be headed inland and perish. He also referred to the episode of a shearwater killed by flying into <br />a light pole in Pahoa, which Commissioner Siracusa mentioned at the last meeting. He added <br />that even though the amendment exempts hotels, the County can proactively work with them by <br />promoting low intensity red fluorescent lights, which can be pointed down toward the ground as <br />well to minimize the adverse impacts. <br />There was no one from the public wishing to testify on this agenda item. <br />2 <br /> <br />