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REPRESENTATIVE NICOLE LOWEN
HAWAII STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 7, 2022
Aloha Hawaii County Council Members,
I am writing to express my support for Bili 167,which would prohibit the sale of non-mineral sunscreens
in Hawaii County.
As the Chair of the Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection in the Hawaii State House,I have
had the opportunity to learn about this issue and the potential harm to HawaiTs reefs from chemical
sunscreens.There is strong scientific evidence that the chemicals in non-mineral sunscreens can inhibit
coral growth and reproduction,and make our reefs less resilient in the face of the many other threats they
are facing from pollution,wastewater,climate change and coral bleaching,to name a few.Mineral based
sunscreens offer equal sun protection and are safer for coral reefs and for humans to use.
Reef health is fundamental to the health of the entire ocean ecosystem,the planet,and to our economy and
way of life in Hawaii. In recent years,our reefs have suffered devastating losses and it is now imperative
that we take every available action to protect the reef from further harm,including limiting their exposure
to the harmful chemicals found in sunscreens.
As elected officials,it is our duty to protect Hawai'i's natural resources for future generations.Please pass
Bill 167 without delay.
Mahalo for the opportunity to testify,
Representative Nicole Lowen
Hawaii State House District 6
Kailua-Kona, Holualoa, Kalaoa
Chair,Committee on Energy and Environmental Protection
(808) 586-8400
replowenPcap itol.hawaii gov
Comm. No.
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Representative Nicole Lowen • State House District 6 • Chair, Committee on Energy and Environment
Hawaii State Capitol•415 S. Beretania St., #425, Honolulu, HI 96813 • (808)586-8400 •replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov