HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.070 2020-2022 p/Cf NICZMe
COMM.elf
From: Ashley Getz
Sent: Saturday, May 14, 2022 5:48 PM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Bill 167
Aloha,
My name is Ashley Getz,and I work as a marine naturalist on PAC Whale Eco-Adventure tours here at Pacific Whale
Foundation. I am reaching out today to share my testimony and thoughts about banning harmful sunscreens to protect our
coral reefs and ocean ecosystems.
As someone who is out on the water daily working with tourists and assisting them, unfortunately,an overwhelming amount
of people do not adequately understand what safe sunscreen for our reefs means. We are constantly selling our sunscreen on
our boats, so people do not use their unsafe version.The problem is that they will most likely use this sunscreen for the day
but go back to using their own after the trip.
We are glad to educate people who don't understand the difference between sunscreens that advertise being reef safe but
contain chemicals like Oxybenzone,Octinoxate, Homosalate,Octisalate,Octocrylene, and Avobenzone, to name a few. We
strive to guide people to purchase sunscreens that have an active ingredient of"non-nano zin oxide or titanium dioxide."
These non-nano natural element sunscreens are what we need everyone to wear out in the water to help our corals thrive
for generations to come.
As an ocean advocate, coral reef health is critical for overall ocean health and our health. Coral reefs provide safety from
harsh storms, beach erosion, housing for all sorts of marine species, and finally, coral reefs offer many people out here on
the island, like myself, the jobs we love.
Mahalo, for your time and consideration, as I know, this is not an easy job. I hope to see Bill 167 pass with flying colors so
the state of Hawaii can be an eco-conscious example for other states to follow.
Sincerely,
Ashley Getz C.
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Comm. No. 111.10
Ref. To: P(c�. N aximi
Ref. Date MAY 1 7 2022
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