Intentional release of some balloons to be made illegal in Hawaii

The intentional release of certain balloons considered detrimental to the environment will be illegal across the state beginning Jan. 1, 2023, after Gov. David Ige signed a bill into law.

The Beach Environmental Awareness Campaign Hawaii, a Honolulu-based nonprofit group, advocated for House Bill 1102 because the colorful balloons are often mistaken for food by marine animals that suffer from injury or death upon ingesting them.

The purpose of HB 1102, which was introduced in the House by Speaker Scott Saiki, was to prohibit the intentional release of balloons with gas lighter than air — such as helium balloons — that float away and cause injury or death to marine animals.

Fines for violators who release, organize or cause the release of balloons would be $500 per offense. The release of multiple balloons at one time would be considered a single offense.

“We are very grateful to Governor Ige, Speaker Saiki, Senator Gabbard, Senator Rhoads and all the lawmakers who helped this important and necessary bill succeed in becoming law,” said B.E.A.C.H. co-founder and President Suzanne Frazer in a news release. “Reducing plastic marine debris is critical to the survival of Hawaii’s marine life and this law will prevent one of the most lethal types of debris.”

The ban does not apply to hot air balloons, balloons that are released indoors and remain indoors or balloons released by the government for scientific or meteorological purposes.

According to B.E.A.C.H., sea turtles, albatrosses and other marine life that eat squid and jellyfish can mistake balloons in the ocean for food because of the tentaclelike appearance of the ribbons. Also, releasing balloons is an act of littering, the organization said.

The amount of balloon litter on beaches increases around graduation season in May and June, B.E.A.C.H. said.

When ingested, these balloons “become sticky and gooey and are impossible for an animal or bird to move through their digestive system.” The ensuing blockages in their gastrointestinal tracts can then lead to starvation and death.

The entanglement of marine animals in balloon strings, as well, can result in injuries and strangulation.

A 2019 research study in Scientific Reports cites balloons as the “highest-risk plastic debris item” for seabirds. Seabirds, the study found, were 32 times more likely to be killed from ingesting “soft plastics” such as balloons or balloon fragments than hard plastics.

Furthermore, balloon releases have caused power outages in the state, potentially affecting thousands of residents.

B.E.A.C.H. said in April that more than 2,000 people lost power in Mililani and Waipahu due to balloons entangled in power lines.

Several states, the bill noted, have already implemented similar bans, including California, Connecticut, Florida, New Jersey, Tennessee and Virginia, as well as numerous counties in other states.

B.E.A.C.H. suggested planting trees, creating a garden, giving lei or lighting candles as alternative ways to celebrate or commemorate events.

“In taking this responsible action to ban all balloon releases, Hawaii has set a wonderful example for the world to follow,” Frazer said.