HI SCR165

Requests Congress to exempt Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico from the Jones Act, which restricts shipping of merchandise between the United States and its territories to American-built ships crewed by U.S. citizens.

Cites that 80% of goods consumed in Hawaii are imported by ship, with freight rates between the mainland and Hawaii among the highest in the world, contributing significantly to the high cost of living.

Notes that Congress previously exempted the Northern Marianas and American Samoa from the Jones Act, establishing precedent for similar regional exemptions.

Emphasizes that these territories depend almost entirely on sea freight, making their residents vulnerable to disruptions in delivery of critical goods like oil and food, posing threats to health, safety, and security.

Requests the President and Hawaii's congressional delegation to support legislation exempting these four territories, and directs transmission of the resolution to federal leadership including the President, Congress, and Department of Transportation.