2017-03-31 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 450 HD 1 SD 1 Relating to Coral

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WilOkabe Managing Director Harry Kim Mayor Barbara J. Kossow Deputy Managing Director County of Hawai‘i Office of the Mayor 25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553 KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740 (808) 323-4444Fax (808) 323-4440 March 31, 2017 Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair Committee on Ways and Means Hawai’i State Capitol Honolulu, HI 96813 Dear Chair Tokuda and Committee Members: RE:HB450, HD1, SD1 Relating to Coral If there is a scientific consensus that sunscreen containing oxybenzone is harmful to the environment, and that it is more damaging than the alternative sunscreen products available, I would urge the Legislature to ban the sale in Hawaiiof products containing oxybenzone. Such legislation 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, far more than an education program ever could accomplish. And such a prohibition on sale would resolve the law enforcement problem DLNR would face if it tried to prevent use by individual boaters or beachgoers. However, your decision should be based on science, and the Department of Health’s earlier testimony, on this bill and on the Senate companion, suggests that science may not be ready to make that call. If the Committee believes there is enough evidence on which to act, I would urge the Legislature to use HB450 as an appropriate vehicle to forcefully address the problem, as suggested above. If, on the other hand, you do not feel you have enough facts, then providing for a study, one that could generate more information, is worthy of your approval. Respectfully submitted, HarryKim Mayor County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.