HomeMy WebLinkAbout2017-03-31 Letter to Jill Tokuda re HB 450 HD 1 SD 1 Relating to Coral
WilOkabe
Managing Director
Harry Kim
Mayor
Barbara J. Kossow
Deputy Managing Director
County of Hawai‘i
Office of the Mayor
25 Aupuni Street, Suite 2603 Hilo, Hawai‘i 96720 (808) 961-8211 Fax (808) 961-6553
KONA: 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Hwy., Bldg. C Kailua-Kona, Hawai‘i 96740
(808) 323-4444Fax (808) 323-4440
March 31, 2017
Senator Jill N. Tokuda, Chair
Committee on Ways and Means
Hawai’i State Capitol
Honolulu, HI 96813
Dear Chair Tokuda and Committee Members:
RE:HB450, HD1, SD1
Relating to Coral
If there is a scientific consensus that sunscreen containing oxybenzone is harmful to the
environment, and that it is more damaging than the alternative sunscreen products available, I would
urge the Legislature to ban the sale in Hawaiiof products containing oxybenzone. Such legislation
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, far more than an education program
ever could accomplish. And such a prohibition on sale would resolve the law enforcement problem
DLNR would face if it tried to prevent use by individual boaters or beachgoers.
However, your decision should be based on science, and the Department of Health’s earlier
testimony, on this bill and on the Senate companion, suggests that science may not be ready to make
that call.
If the Committee believes there is enough evidence on which to act, I would urge the
Legislature to use HB450 as an appropriate vehicle to forcefully address the problem, as suggested
above. If, on the other hand, you do not feel you have enough facts, then providing for a study, one
that could generate more information, is worthy of your approval.
Respectfully submitted,
HarryKim
Mayor
County of Hawai‘i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.
County of Hawai`i is an Equal Opportunity Provider and Employer.