HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.349 2020-2022 p/Council
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COUNTY CLERK GOM t.1l
COUNTY OF HAWAII
RECEIVED
May 31, 2022 TimeJ' •�•
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Dear County of Hawai'i Council,
As you know, Hawai'i is one of the most isolated archipelagos on earth and its coral reefs are home to
unique marine life found nowhere else on the planet. Reefs are not only extremely important and
habitats, they are fundamental to the marine economy. Coral reefs also provide us with places for
recreation and longstanding Hawaiian cultural practices. Reefs buffer us against waves, storms and
floods which helps prevent property damage, erosion and loss of life.This is why I strongly support Bill
167 which would prohibit the sale and distribution of non-mineral sunscreen in the County of Hawai'i
unless prescribed by a licensed healthcare provider.
Sunscreen is an environmental threat:thousands of visitors and residents enjoy our beaches, parks and
nature reserves every day. In popular snorkeling locations, chemicals are washing off people every single
day. Even if you are far from the ocean, chemicals washed off your body as you bathe eventually end up
in our ocean.According to NOAA, damage includes but is not limited to:
• Coral: Accumulation in tissues; bleaching; DNA damage; deformed and killed young
• Fish: Decreased fertility and reproduction;female characteristics in males
• Dolphins:Accumulation in tissues and transferred to young
By removing a known stressor from the picture—petrochemical sunscreens—we increase the health and
resilience of coral reefs so that they can be better equipped to handle the threats posed by pollution
and climate change. Using only mineral sunscreen—considered by the Environmental Working Group as
one of the safest and most effective and non-irritating options in terms of sun protection—is one step
we can all take right now to protect the marine habitats that make our islands unique.
As a side note: Although I am submitting this testimony as a resident of Maui County, I have seen
firsthand in my position as Environmental Program Specialist at the County of Maui Environmental
Protection'&Sustainability Division how widely embraced Maui County's non-mineral sunscreen
ordinance is. Even though the ordinance is not effective until October 1, 2022, many mineral sunscreen
initiatives are already in place. Moreover, small local businesses as well as large hotels such as the Four
Seasons Resort Maui (which recently vowed to"break up with chemical sunscreen") have already
started to make the switch.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony in strong support of Bill 167.
Sincerely,
Michelle McLinden Nuijen, PhD
Kahului, Hawaii
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