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COMM.7/1
From: Wendy Hamane
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2022 12:59 PM fes.
To: Council Testimony r .
Subject: Bill 167
Aloha to the Hawaii County Council, ..w... --
I have taken my high school students snorkeling at various Marine Life Conservation Districts--from gai 'Qpat to
Kealakekua Bay--as a part of our Environmental and Marine Science classes. In spite of these areas being designated
as conservation zones, I have witnessed firsthand the devastation of our coral reefs islandwide within a frighteningly
short timeframe of less than a decade.
Wai 'Opae transformed from a coral garden with pink, purple, and blue hues to a bleached coral garden seemingly
overnight before the recent lava flow covered the entire area. My heart was heavy after our last Kealakekua Bay
snorkeling trip (just prior to COVID school closure). Kealakekua Bay, a culturally sacred site, was once so abundant
in various coral species that coral was growing on top of coral! I now witnessed so many coral skeletons--and with
the loss of coral, a loss of fish followed.
I have always taught lessons on topics such as ocean acidification and coral bleaching. However, I now also teach the
importance of using eco-friendly sunscreen. In fact, I purchase eco-friendly sunscreen, soap, and shampoo for student
use when we are out in the field in an attempt to help students establish more environmentally-friendly habits.
Our students have served as "Reef Teach" stewards with the Kahalu'u Bay Education Center, an organization that
provides free mineral-based sunscreen to beach-goers. Unfortunately, during our last education campaign, the
majority of tourists turned my students away when asked if they had a few minutes to be educated about reef safe
practices (including the use of mineral-based sunscreen).
There comes a time when grassroots efforts must be supported with legislation in order to make a timely
difference. That time was at least a-decade ago. Please send a strong and consistent message to my students (and the
public at large) about the importance of environmental sustainability. We are counting on you. Lack of legislation in
the face of a crisis is often perceived as a lack of importance or urgency. I urge you to support Bill 167 to ban the sale
and distribution of chemical-based sunscreen.
Respectfully Submitted,
Wendy Hamane
Teacher
Hilo High School/Lanakila Learning Center
Comm. No. 11 -1-q°
Ref.To: v COU
Ref. Date JUN = 1 2022
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