Back in September, Leah and I drafted a proposal for a bill called Promise to Our Keiki under The Plastics Project. Today, our team met with a few state representatives to pitch the proposal. We need one representative to champion our initiative and turn it into a bill that they would submit to possibly become a law.

The bill currently proposes 3 things to be mandated by law:

1. Every incoming flight to Hawaii be required to play an educational PSA video that teaches about Hawaii's ENDANGERED and ENDEMIC WILDLIFE and LAWS pertaining to them, OCEAN CONSERVATION, RESPECTING OUR AINA and CULTURAL SITES, and SAFETY
2. Educational cards regarding these topics be placed in the seatbacks of all incoming flights
3. All visitors sign the Promise to Our Keiki Pledge with Hawaii's declaration forms upon arrival to Hawaii

Check us out on Facebook, Instagram and on our website: 
www.PromiseToOurKeiki.org



STATE OF HAWAII

A BILL TO ESTABLISH ACCOUNTABILITY TO PROTECT AND PRESERVE ENDANGERED AND ENDEMIC HAWAIIAN WILDLIFE THROUGH THE “PROMISE TO OUR KEIKI" PLEDGE

“PROMISE TO OUR KEIKI BILL” PREPARED BY

LEAH MAHEALANI DAKROUB & RYLEE BROOKE KAMAHELE

SEPTEMBER 10, 2018

I. INTRODUCTION

We hereby submit a proposal with the purpose and intent to request that our state provide increased protection to ensure the sustainability of our endangered and endemic wildlife, Hawaiian cultural sites, natural habitats, and Hawaii’s ocean and marine life for Hawaii’s youth (keiki) and future generations.

II. INTENTION

Our intention is to propose a new law requiring visitors to sign a pledge in which they agree to abide by the laws that protect our endangered and endemic Hawaiian wildlife before entering the State of Hawaii. This includes but is not limited to; Hawaiian Green Sea Turtles, Hawaiian Hoary Bats, Hawaiian Hawks, Hawaiian Monk Seals, Crested Honeycreepers, the Nene Goose and Oahu Tree Snail. The pledge will also extend to having visitors acknowledge and agree to respect our islands in regards to ocean, land, and natural resource conservation, Hawaiian cultural sites, and safety during their visit.

SECTION I - EDUCATIONAL VIDEO ON ALL INBOUND FLIGHTS

Hawaii Tourism Authority to create a PSA for airlines to play for all arrival passengers into the State of Hawaii. The video should encompass not only endangered and endemic wildlife but also conservation of our islands resources including but not limited to ocean and hiking safety.

SECTION II - DECLARATION FORM

State of Hawaii to issue each passenger, upon arrival into Hawaii, a “Promise to Our Keiki Pledge” presented as a declaration form. Visitors would be required to sign the form upon arrival on all international and domestic incoming flights into the State of Hawaii. By signing and making a formal promise to the Children of Hawaii, visitors agree to preserve and protect Hawaii’s beautiful and unique island home by following the laws that protect our endangered species and by acknowledging a behavior standard as set forth in the educational PSA video.

The forms are to be collected by airline personnel from all incoming passengers and signature forms should be submitted to DLNR.

SECTION III

All airlines flying to the Hawaiian Islands will be required to provide a 2-sided laminated educational brochure about Hawaii’s endangered wildlife (similar to airline safety cards) that would remain in all seatback pockets for passengers to access. This card will provide information on each endangered and endemic animal as well as the law that protects them and the punishment for not abiding by these laws.

SECTION IV

Failure to complete the form should be a misdemeanor that carries a maximum $10,000 fine. This should be printed on the declaration forms.

III. SUMMARY

3 parts of the Promise to our Keiki Bill:

1. Laminated educational cards in all seatback pockets on all incoming flights to Hawaii
2. Mandatory educational PSA video played on all incoming flights to Hawaii
3. The Promise to Our Keiki Pledge and declaration form to be completed by passengers on all incoming flights to Hawaii

Hawaii already makes up less than 0.2% of U.S. land, but over 25% of species found on the nation’s endangered species list are endemic to Hawaii, earning it the rather unflattering title of the “endangered species capital of the world.” according to a report by Unreal Hawaii.

According to Honolulu Civil Beat, “On average, nearly one tourist dies a week in Hawaii typically while engaged in a common vacation activity such as swimming, snorkeling, and hiking. Many more suffer serious injuries including spinal cord damage and Hawaii’s rate of drowning per visitor is 13 times the national average. Critics say the state doesn’t do enough to warn its 8 million annual visitors.”

We hope by requiring visitors to sign a pledge to protect Hawaii’s endangered wildlife and addressing other concerns to preserve our islands and protect visitors, we will create a cultural shift among tourists and locals and make them aware of the fragility of our island home.