In this May 5, 2016 image provided by the state of Hawaii, ocean debris accumulates in Kahuku, Hawaii on the North Shore of Oahu. State officials say a study of the eight main Hawaiian Islands shows that ocean debris regularly accumulates around the archipelago, and that most of it is not linked to the March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The aerial survey shows that much of the debris that accumulates on the shores of Hawaii is plastic trash. (Hawaii Dept. of Land and Natural Resources)

Hawaii is often thought to be one of the most ecologically diverse and scenically beautiful states in the United States but a new aerial survey has found that many of the state's coastlines are plagued by plastic trash.

According to an analysis of its beaches undertaken by Hawaii's Department of Land & Natural Resources (DLNR) and North Pacific Marine Science Organization (PICES) as part of a project to identify the environmental consequences of tsunami debris, plastic items were discovered to constitute most of the archipelago's shoreline trash, accounting for 47 percent statewide.

"This survey found a very limited amount of debris associated with the Japan tsunami. Most of what was mapped is common, everyday items that someone haphazardly tossed onto the ground or directly into the water," Suzanne Case, DLNR Chair . "These items get caught up in ocean currents and unfortunately much of it eventually lands, mostly on north and east facing shores. Hawaii is recognized around the world for our beautiful beaches. Unfortunately we cannot say they are pristine, because they’ve been so seriously impacted by our trash.”

()

The survey, which was was funded by the Ministry of the Environment of Japan, raised concerns for the beach and marine dwellingwildlife of Hawaii. The study observed that beach trash threatened many critical habitats, such as coral reefs, which host many endangered species.

"The unique environment and tourism-based economy of the Hawaiian Islands could suffer greatly from the effects of marine debris," the report concluded.

Hawaiian officials plan on using the data provided from this project to"organize and plan cleanup efforts, and develop a community-accessible database to distribute debris data and track removal efforts throughout the islands."

Click to read the full report in PDF form.

MORE ON WEATHER.COM:Marine Garbage in Hawaii