HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.264 2020-2022 P l courlc1.l
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From: Mendy Dant
Sent: Saturday, May 21, 2022 6:13 PM nil MAI 23 Al 9: 12
To: Council Testimony
Subject: SUPPORT BILL167
Direct to Chair Maile David and Co-Chair Aaron Chung and members of the County Council,
My name is Mendy Dant and my family has a third-generation snorkel business here in Keauhou Kona, Hawaii. I
appreciate that you are taking steps to understand the importance of saving our environment, specifically our coral
reefs from the chemical sunscreens marketed here in Hawaii. The health of our ocean environment depends on the
coral reefs,the fish for their habitat, food source, and the health of our shorelines in preventing devastation when
storms hit our shores. Your ability to prevent chemical sunscreens will mitigate pollution that threatens the
conservation and restoration of coral reefs and the overall health of the oceans. We have tourism as our number one
industry in Hawaii and have already lost 40% of our coral due to man-made pollution. We need to do everything in
our power to protect our coral reefs, and outlawing the chemical sunscreens from being sold here in Hawaii island is a
crucial opportunity. Please do not let it slip through your hands. We are in desperate need of strong,wise politicians
to stand up and protect our environment.
There have been so many scientific studies proving the chemicals in sunscreens are killing our coral, and fish and are
also harmful to humans. These chemicals in the sunscreen have not prevented skin cancer. Many people stay out
longer in the sun because they think they will not get sun damage, but this is false. The continued use of toxic
chemicals is unnecessary and can only push reefs closer to the brink of extinction. We should adopt what
we are doing in Kealakekua Bay and stop the use of chemical sunscreens by our unknowing visitors. Many
of our customers come to us with chemical sunscreens incorrectly marked "reef safe" or "reef-friendly" and
when we enlighten them with the scientific facts they are angry the stores are selling the lies for the
cosmetic industry. We, the public need to take back the power here in Hawaii and protect what is dear to
all of us who actually live here, and raise our children and grandchildren here in Hawaii Nei.
The availability of affordable sunscreens containing zinc oxide and titanium dioxide which the FDA has
determined to be safe and effective for human use are available everywhere sunscreens are sold. The
confusion that the cosmetic companies have caused by labeling "reef safe" on chemical sunscreens is
frustrating for consumers and untrue. Comfortable, fashionable, and affordable UPF clothing is also widely
available due to educated customer demand for safer products. We must move away from
using octocrylene, avobenzone, oxybenzone, octinoxate, and other soluble petrochemical UV filters which
have achieved nothing in benefit and only bioavailability, bioaccumulation, and toxicity to humans and
wildlife while polluting the entire global water supply. There is no excuse to continue having these
poisonous chemicals in sunscreen made available for purchase only to poison our ocean.
This is a great article- that states the case for adverse effects of Soluble Organics on the marine ecosystem and
humans. - even the National Park Service gets it.
https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/idkt_sunscreen.htm
Mahalo for this opportunity to share my concerns and PLEASE support Bill 167,
Mendy Dant
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Fair Wind Cruises
Kona Sunrise Charters
78-6775 Box A Makenawai St
Kailua Kona, Hi 96740
C.808-345-6211
www.fair-wind.com
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.....w......., OCEAN STEWARDSWIP SINCE 1971'
Travel Tips: Ocean Conservation
"We need to respect the oceans and take care of them as if our lives depend on it. Because they do."Dr. Sylvia Earle
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