2017-03-17 Letter to Kaialii Kahele, Karl Rhoades and Mike Gabbard re HB 450, HD 1 relating to Coral

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### # Wil Okabe Managing Director Harry Kim • . : - Mayor Barbara J.Kossow •••:f Deputy Managing Director '• 4.ti;.0.9 •„..,_.•• Conutv of itztioni`i Offirt of theAtavor 25 Aupuni Street,Suite 2603 • 1-ho,Hawai'i 96720 • (808)961-8211 • Fax(808)961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Me Keohokalole Hwy.,Bldg.C • Kailua-Kona,Hawaii 96740 (808)323-4444 • Fax(808)323-4440 March 17, 2017 Senator Kaiali'i Kahele, Chair Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair Committee on Higher Education Committee on Agriculture & Environment Hawai'i State Capitol Hawaii State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Honolulu, HI 96813 Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair Committee on Water & Land Hawai'i State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Kahele, Chair Gabbard, Chair Rhoads, and Committee members: RE: HB 450, HD 1 Relating to Coral If there is a scientific consensus that sunscreen containing oxybenzone is harmful to the environment, and that it is worse than the alternative sunscreen products available, I would urge the Legislature to ban the sale of products containing oxybenzone in Hawaii. It would not eliminate the problem entirely (tourists might still bring product in) but I would think that the use of the chemical in Hawaii would be dramatically reduced. The Department of Health's earlier testimony on a Senate bill did not assert that a scientific consensus exists, although its testimony was labeled as being in favor of restricting use. If that could be positively clarified, I would urge the Legislature to use HB 450 as an appropriate vehicle to forcefully address the problem. If, on the other hand, the consensus does not yet exist, then providing for a study that could generate appropriate science is worthy of your approval. - •ecffully submitted, Harry KáJ Mayor County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.