LIHUE, Kauai (KHON) – This week, the mayor of Kauai County signed a bill into law that would prohibit the sale, rental or distribution of polystyrene foam bodyboards in Kauai.
The bill aims to protect the island’s marine life and bird population from the often disposable bodyboards, which are frequently left behind and break into smaller pieces that can be ingested by wildlife. A similar bill was signed into law in Maui in 2022.
“Disposable bodyboards may seem small, but their impact has been anything but small,” said Kauai County Mayor Derek S.K. Kawakami, who signed the bill into law on Wednesday. “By eliminating polystyrene foam boards from stores and rentals, we are protecting our beaches, our ocean, and the wildlife that calls Kaua‘i home.”
The bodyboards also contribute to litter and landfills, officials said. But the bill aims to change that, in part by encouraging a shift to “high-density polyethylene or polypropylene” bodyboards. These boards, according to county officials, don’t break as easily and have a “longer lifespan.”
“This ordinance reflects our responsibility to care for Kaua‘i’s environment,” Fern Holland, the councilmember who introduced the bill, said. “By encouraging durable alternatives, we are reducing waste, protecting marine life, and ensuring our islands remain beautiful for generations to come.”
Under this new bill, businesses are prohibited from selling, renting or distributing disposable bodyboards. It’s unclear if beachgoers will be banned from using boards they already own, though the language of the bill does not appear to prohibit such behavior.
A representative for the County of Kaua’i was not immediately available to comment.
The new bill will go into effect one year from now, which will give businesses time to transition to more environmentally friendly boards.