HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.432 2020-2022 P/Coullcit
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From: Fran OREGON
Sent: Saturday, May 28, 2022 11:29 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Support of Bill 167 - ADDING A NEW ARTICLE RELATING TO PROHIBITION O&NOI ,
MINERAL SUNSCREEN
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My name is Fran Warren and I am urging you to pass this Bill and associated articles: -°m `"
-to reduce taxpayer future expenses
-to reduce legislators'unnecessary reviews and decision-making
- increase tourist experiences and desire to return to the islands ,,
- do the right thing for the environment
I have the wonderful experience of volunteering at Kahalu'u Bay on the Big Island and have witnessed first-hand the
amazing benefits of reducing the use of chemical sunscreen in the ocean waters. I have seen an increase in the
varieties of fish- due to increase in the coral reef. I have watched as visitors' come out of the water giggling with
delight as they see so many more colorful fish than in years past and this brings joy to my heart. Our visitors actually
are grateful to learn about how something as simple as using only mineral-based sunscreen can do so much to help
our coral- that avoiding the "oxy-based, etc" sunscreens, which not only cause bleaching at lower temperatures,but
also inhibit the coral gametes from growing, is a double whammy. Almost every single visitor has been extremely
grateful for the opportunity to change to the mineral-based sunscreens and opt for cloth coverups. "What an easy
exchange for such an amazing return" is the usual response. But the visitors are also still confused- "...which
chemicals are ok and which are not..? Many of the sunscreens still say "REEF SAFE" only because the man-made
chemicals are not explicitly listed on the current legislation- even though they are known to be detrimental to coral.
One big problem we've had is the "whack-a-mole" issue. We do the due diligence of scientific research on chemicals
a, b and c and deliver that information to the legislature to ban those specific chemicals in sunscreen and then the
manufacturers' chemists come up with an ever-so-slight molecular modification which is just as damaging to the coral
reefs (and to the fish)but since those specific chemicals are not covered in the legislation, these products can be sold
to an unsuspecting public. We need to stop playing this "whack-a-mole" game. It is a time and money
wasting effort.
We are absolutely not against sun protection. We encourage sun protection for everyone. We understand its
important for everyone to protect themselves from harmful UV rays - and for some its even more important than for
others. But it has also been proven for decades that mineral-based sunscreen is an excellent protection for all skin
types and all ages. And rash guards, hats and other material coverups are excellent options. I always wear a rash
guard shirt and leggings when I snorkel because I burn easily.
Again::
1) It is economically a smart thing to do to pass this bill with the new article:
- With improved coral reef, we have more fish, with more fish, we have better tourist experiences, with better tourist
experiences, we have greater tourist dollars
- The legislators do not have to review every new chemical innovation created to avoid the nuances of the law when
there are proven natural sun protection options available which can be incorporated into all commercial product lines
- Hawaii does not have to continually modify literature and signage to keep up with each new chemical created by the
sunscreen manufacturers and which then is documented to be detrimental to coral reef, one-by-one
2) It the right thing to do for the environment with no fiscal penalty to the taxpayers. Comm.No. Tit. 102
Ref.To: (MAU I
1 Ref. Dote JUN - J 2022
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Thank You for your quality time and consideration of this very important issue,
Fran Warren
Volunteer
Kohala Education Center
Kahalu'u Bay, Big Island Hawaii
Please Stay Safe - Stay Healthy, Fran
`
"Nature is My Medicine"
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