HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-17 Letter to Kaialii Kahele, Karl Rhoades and Mike Gabbard re HB 450, HD 1 relating to Coral ###
# Wil Okabe
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Mayor Barbara J.Kossow
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March 17, 2017
Senator Kaiali'i Kahele, Chair Senator Mike Gabbard, Chair
Committee on Higher Education Committee on Agriculture & Environment
Hawai'i State Capitol Hawaii State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813 Honolulu, HI 96813
Senator Karl Rhoads, Chair
Committee on Water & Land
Hawai'i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Kahele, Chair Gabbard, Chair Rhoads, and Committee members:
RE: HB 450, HD 1
Relating to Coral
If there is a scientific consensus that sunscreen containing oxybenzone is harmful to the
environment, and that it is worse than the alternative sunscreen products available, I would urge the
Legislature to ban the sale of products containing oxybenzone in Hawaii. It would not eliminate the
problem entirely (tourists might still bring product in) but I would think that the use of the chemical in
Hawaii would be dramatically reduced.
The Department of Health's earlier testimony on a Senate bill did not assert that a scientific
consensus exists, although its testimony was labeled as being in favor of restricting use. If that could
be positively clarified, I would urge the Legislature to use HB 450 as an appropriate vehicle to
forcefully address the problem. If, on the other hand, the consensus does not yet exist, then
providing for a study that could generate appropriate science is worthy of your approval.
- •ecffully submitted,
Harry KáJ
Mayor
County of Hawaii is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.