HI SCR40

Requests Congress to pass legislation exempting Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico from the Jones Act restrictions on shipping between the United States and its territories.

Identifies high shipping costs resulting from the Jones Act as a major contributor to the high cost of living in Hawaii, where 80 percent of goods are imported and 98 percent arrive by ship.

Notes that transpacific shipping costs are among the world's lowest, but freight rates between the mainland and Hawaii are among the highest due to Jones Act restrictions limiting ships to American-built vessels crewed by U.S. citizens.

Highlights that Northern Marianas and American Samoa already received Jones Act exemptions, and that Alaska, Guam, and Puerto Rico face similar economic hardships and shipping dependency.

Requests the President and Hawaii's congressional delegation to support the exemption to protect resident health, safety, and security, particularly regarding disruptions in essential goods like food and fuel.