Maui Curbs Light Pollution with New Bill Restricting Use of Outdoor Lighting at Night

On Monday, the Maui County Council passed a new bill that will limit the amount of blue light pollution produced by the island's outdoor lighting fixtures during the night. The objective is to reduce the amount of artificial light that every year causes harm or even death to tens of thousands of sea turtles, migratory birds, and other wildlife.

Maui's Bill 21

Maui's new bill mandates that all outdoor lighting fixtures, except for neon, restrict short wavelength content to only 2% of blue light. Mercury vapor must not be used for installing new outdoor lighting fixtures.

Except for neon, all other outdoor lighting fixtures must be pointed downward. All lighting fixtures must be completely shielded to ensure that no light is shining over the ocean, which is another requirement.

The bill has a three-year phase-in period before it becomes effective on July 1, 2023, giving organizations time to comply. The bill has many exemptions built in. For instance, the majority of non-oceanfront private homes and aviation lighting that is necessary for safe aircraft navigation are exempt.

According to the bill, additional exemptions include sporting events held at night, authorized special events held on grounds owned by the state department of education, private schools, nonprofit organizations, and county parks and facilities.

The price of replacing bulbs and making adjustments to lighting fixtures has drawn criticism. An earlier draft of the bill was opposed by the Office of Corporation Counsel. In June, county attorneys outlined several concerns they had with the bill, including its effects on rodeos, outdoor concerts, night markets, and private sporting venues, as well as public safety concerns.

Kelly King, the bill's sponsor, along with Shane Sinenci, Alice Lee, Keani Rawlins-Fernandez, and Mike Molina were the five council members who voted in favor of Bill 21.

King claimed that the final bill reflects months of research by her and others on the best available science for dealing with the current state of Maui's light pollution and its effects. Any environmental legislation will likely face opposition, according to King. In this case, the outdoor event and hotel industries were the main opponents of the lighting bill.

Impacts of Light Pollution

According to scientists, light pollution poses a serious threat to wildlife. Bright onshore lighting can cause endangered sea turtles to become disoriented and wander inland, where they may cross roads and be attacked by dogs or other predators, or even hit by cars.

Bright lights can throw off fledgling endangered seabirds as they make their first trips out to sea from burrows. The young birds risk being hurt or eaten by feral cats, rodents, or other animals if they tire and fall to the ground.

Environmentalists are suing the Grand Wailea resort on Maui to demand that it change its lighting to protect the Hawaiian petrels. It's unclear how Monday's vote will impact the outcome of that lawsuit, which is presently in the settlement stage.

Earthjustice is suing the resort, and David Henkin, the organization's lead attorney, said he couldn't comment on that. He was however pleased that the council had approved the new lighting regulation, Honolulu Civil Beat reports.