Maui Wants to Ban All Chemical Sunscreens; The Big Island is taking steps to protect Hawaii’s coral reefs

HONOLULU (KHON2) – On Friday, November 19, the Maui County Council unanimously passed law banning the sale, distribution, or use of non-mineral sunscreens and expanding efforts to protect the environment. A free mineral sunscreen dispenser was also unveiled at the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area.

Invoice 135 was introduced by Kelly Takaya King, Maui County Councilor, Chair of the Council’s Climate Resilience, Resilience and Environment Committee. The bill recognizes that many non-mineral sunscreens pose a threat to the health of coastal waters, coral reefs and marine animals.

According to Maui County Council officials, the bill will be presented to Maui Mayor Michael Victorino for decision, and when it goes into effect it will go into effect October 1, 2022 Procedures and Fines.

In a statement from Councilor King, she said coral reefs were the island’s first protection against erosion due to rising sea levels.

She also said chemical sunscreens can cause “significant damage” to reef systems and marine life, along with threats from climate change and ocean warming, storm runoff, and leakage of liquid or gas from sewage injection wells.

Chemical sunscreens – or non-mineral sunscreens – use octinoxate, octocrylene, and oxybenzone. Mineral sunscreens use zinc oxide and titanium dioxide.

There are 16 active ingredients currently used in UV filters in sunscreen products, including the ones mentioned above. Of the 16, only zinc oxide and titanium dioxide are “recognized by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as generally safe and effective (GRASE)”.

“Our reefs are priceless,” said King. “Coral reefs are essential to the livelihood of many Maui Counties, maintaining cultural practices, and protecting coastal areas. Our marine environment offers opportunities for relaxation, inspiration and scenic beauty for residents and visitors. We have to do what is necessary to maintain and protect it. “

In addition, the first non-chemical, mineral sunscreen dispenser in a Hawaii State Park was unveiled on Friday in the Waialea Bay section of the Hapuna Beach State Recreation Area. Big Island officials said the move is related to the growing movement and legislation driving ocean and beach goers to use only mineral-based sunscreen to protect the state’s delicate coral reef systems.

Recently, Hawaii has tried to reduce the amount of sunscreen that goes into the ocean Nationwide ban on sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate Entered into force on January 1st, 2021.

“Of course, there has been great progress and awareness among both visitors and local residents of the damage that chemical sunscreens can cause. However, I still flinch when I see people applying chemical sunscreens or using aerosols. I would like to speak to you and explain to you that this will damage the reefs where you will snorkel. “

Dena Sedar, interpreative specialist at the DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP)

Sedar also added that the Waialea section was selected for this new donor because the site had extensive coral cover and was affected by coral bleaching events. Chemical sunscreens have been shown to slow or prevent coral reefs from recovering from bleaching events, disease and other disorders.

She hopes other beach resorts in Hawaii will have their own donors soon.