Hawaii House of Representatives Committee to Study Vog Effects

A Special Committee on Vog Effects has been appointed in the Hawaii House of Representatives. The committee is tasked with studying the impact of vog (volcano smog) on "the public's health and safety, agriculture, water quality, pets and animals, wildlife, and other areas," according to an item posted yesterday on the Hawaii House Blog.

The committee is composed of eight state lawmakers, mostly from the Big Island. The chairman of the committee is Rep. Robert Herkes (D, District 5: Puna, Kau, North Kona,South Kona), pictured at right.

"What is occurring is a natural disaster, but unlike a tsunami, hurricane, twister or major earthquake, it is not viewed as one," said Rep. Herkes. "The legislature needs to focus on the impacts on Hawaii residents such as health and safety, loss of agricultural crops or the impact on tourism and jobs, and explore all avenues of relief."

The Hawaii House Blog says that a report on the committee's findings and recommendations to the House of Representatives is due at least twenty days prior to the convening of the Legislature's Regular Session in January of 2009.

[Photo Source]