HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0771.549 2020-2022 1 oI "Y r
From: bvanpelt4
Sent: Monday, June 13, 2022 9:47 AM 1077 JUN 13 AN 10'
To: Council Testimony
Cc: cpunihaole@kohalacenter.org
Subject® SUNSCREEN
My name is Bill Van Pelt. I live in Seattle. My undergraduate degree is in marine biology and my masters is in environmental science.
My wife and I first came to the Big Island in 1986 and fell in love with it. We have been coming back almost every year for longer and
longer periods.Along the way we found and fell in love with Kahaluu Bay, In 2010 we became volunteers with Reef Teach.
When we first saw the bay, in the 1980's, it seemed undamaged.The coral seemed to be in good health and the fish population
extraordinary. When, however we started with Reef Teach,we could see signs of stress to the coral-the mounds were bare on top
from people standing on them,and there was evidence of other stressors as well with a bit of bleaching here and there.A the years
passed the signs of stress got more evident till by 2020,our last year on island(Pandemic), the status of the bay was disheartening.
Much of the Cauliflower was gone,with other species evidencing damage.
I take Kahaluu as an example of the stress that coral all around the island is experiencing.There are a number of stressors impacting
the coral-warming ocean temperatures, runoff from development, sewer systems,and lawns,careless tourists and sunscreen.
Given the rate of damage I have seen over the past few years, it would seem that, if nothing is done,the coral reef system will suffer
permanent, irreversible damage. In the long term,such damage would be detrimental to the island as well as the state itself. Loss of
the coral leads to loss of the protective reef and damage to the land itself.Along the way, severe damage to the economy of the
islands as well.
As a county, little can be done to counter ocean warming. Much can be done to improve the quality of water flowing into the bay,
but it will take time and resources. Something can be done quickly to address the stress that non-mineral sunscreens pose to the
coral.A look at the NIH, National Library of Medicine, National Center of Biotechnology Information site shows a list of 94 well done,
peer reviewed, published studies, most of which document the damage done to coral by sunscreens other than mineral based types.
There are no such studies which document otherwise. It would seem reasonable to assume that the non-mineral based sunscreens
are a demonstrable hazard to coral. Banning the sale of these damaging sunscreens would seem to be a prudent move.
The experience of my wife and I with Reef Teach in talking to visitors was mostly positive with respect to sunscreen use. When we
explained the damage it did to the coral, most folks would wait at least 15-20 minutes before entering the water.A few would take
our suggestion about wearing long sleeved reef guard shirts ad other clothing. We expressed our gratification when they did so.
There were, however, numerous folks who listened politely,then slathered or sprayed on the sunscreen and went immediately into
the water.And,of course,we could not speak to everyone entering the water.
It would seem the best way to protect the coral from this stressor is to prevent the sale of the damaging medium in the first place.
There will be those who will find a way around the ban and those who will object to the ban on the presumption of an increase in
skin cancers, which may happen but does not have to. Still, despite not being able to prevent 100%of damage from non-mineral
sunscreens,the ban of their sale would seem to be a very wise move considering the damage that coral loss would be to the long
term future of the island and the state. I would encourage the County to pass Bill 167.Think of your long term future of culture,
ecology,and sustainability.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Bill Van Pelt
Comm o _
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Ref. ate vJull . 5 2022
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