Democratic House Speaker Scott Saiki’s bill that would make an intentional release of balloons illegal if these are inflated with a gas that is lighter than air is on its way to the desk of Gov. David Ige.
If Ige signs House Bill 1102 into law, the ban would go into effect on Jan. 1, 2023.
"I think education plays the biggest role in this law. I’m sure that people—when they’re celebrating and commemorating—are not really wanting to harm any animals," co-founder of the Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaiʻi Suzanne Frazer said. "I think that if we can raise awareness about this, people will choose not to do it anymore."
She recommended tree planting to honor or celebrate life as people can watch their trees grow. Frazer added that the release of such balloons is harmful to birds and marine animals. The animals may be killed “through strangulation and accidental swallowing,” the Hawai’i Public Radio reported.
The bill, which is related to litter control, was widely supported by environmental groups.
If HB 1102 becomes a law, a $500 violation fee would be imposed on the offender. Exempted from the violation are hot air balloons and balloons used for scientific purposes by a government entity.