A new county law went into effect yesterday on Maui. It’s something visitors should take note of since there is a fine of up to $1,000 possible for violating the new ruling.
The bottom line is this. Don’t use any chemical sunscreen on Maui. Otherwise, you might get a warning or a fine of up to $1,000. The only exception is for persons who have a prescription.
Maui County Council felt that the state ban that went into effect last year was inadequate in addressing the multiple chemicals in sunscreens damaging the island’s fragile ecosystems. The issue is that the banned chemicals can have slightly different versions, making them not technically prohibited according to state law.
Effective October 1, 2022, no chemical-based sunscreens can be used, sold, or distributed on Maui. That means you can’t bring a banned sunscreen and use it on Maui. This goes further than most other bans and provides warnings and substantial fines for using illegal sunscreens rather than just prohibiting their sale and distribution. We wonder how well visitors will be informed about the new law. If you live here, of course, you probably know about it.
Fines up to $1,000 are possible. But how likely is that?
The ordinance provides for fines up to $1,000. For now, warnings are more likely, although we’ve heard nothing about enforcement. You can read the new law below. Enforcement is said to be based on complaints received. Does that mean someone may call the police if they see you spraying a chemical sunscreen instead of applying a non-chemical white cream? We were told that a second warning is when fines may start to be in effect.
Similar Big Island law goes into effect on December 1.
The law there also prohibits the sale and distribution of sunscreens that are chemical rather than physical in their makeup. Taking a more conservative approach than $30 beach parking wielding Maui, Hawaii county has its own law about to take effect. That county isn’t going to try to enforce what people use but only control the distribution and availability in stores.
The State of Hawaii remains ahead of many other places in banning sunscreens that are damaging to marine environments and coral reefs.
So far, the state has only a ban on two ingredients, oxybenzone and octinoxate. Those are perhaps the two most common chemicals found in thousands of sunscreens. That law went into effect on January 1, 2021.
The state is contemplating enacting a broader ban on chemical sunscreens, somewhat like what the Big Island will be doing.
“Our natural environment is fragile, and our own interaction with the earth can have lasting impacts…. This new law is just one step toward protecting the health and resiliency of Hawaii’s coral reefs.” — Governor David Ige.
Other beach destinations with sunscreen bans; more are coming.
US Virgin Islands. Effective 2021, chemical sunscreens and importation/sale of sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate.
Bonaire. The island banned the sale of chemical sunscreens in 2021.
Key West, Florida. A subsequent statewide act struck down a law banning chemical sunscreens.
Palau. The first country to ban chemical sunscreens. That law went into effect in 2020.
Aruba. Sunscreens containing oxybenzone have been prohibited since 2020.
Vast quantities of sunscreen chemicals enter the water.
One issue is that a significant percentage of sunscreen that is applied makes its way into the water. Over time with Maui’s enormous number of visitors, huge amounts of sunscreen end up in Hawaii’s coral reefs. This is believed to cause coral damage, bleaching, DNA injury, starvation, and reproductive and development issues. Reefs are an integral part of our marine ecosystem and are essential to the environment. According to NOAA, “coral reefs buffer adjacent shorelines from wave action and prevent erosion, property damage and loss of life.”
JAMA study said chemical sunscreens are more dangerous than previously revealed.
Children are more at risk than adults. The study in the Journal of the American Medical Association found that “sunscreen products containing avobenzone, oxybenzone, Ecamsule, and octocrylene need far more research. One concern is that blood concentration of the chemicals can be found after just one day of sunscreen use. These rise with continued use and applications. JAMA questioned if these products can be considered “generally regarded as safe and effective.”
“Oxybenzone… has been found in human breast milk (and) in amniotic fluid, urine, and blood… Some studies…have raised questions about the potential for oxybenzone to affect endocrine activity.” — JAMA
What do you think of the new sunscreen ban on Maui?
Ord. 5306
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Beni says
I understand banning sunscreen products, but to go so far as making it a fine was ridiculous in my book
Kathie S says
Banning chemical sun screens is such a good decision. Thank you.
Barbara M says
Sorry but you obviously don’t live in a an area where the only sunscreens that are effective are the chemical ones. We never use a chemical sunscreen when visiting Hawaii but at home, in the Skin Cancer Capital of the USA, we only use chemical sunscreens.
Curtis C.. says
During our last trip to Maui I noticed that a lot of snorkelers were wearing sun protective shirts. I’ve read that a lot of these shirts are chemically treated with some dangerous ingredients. Could this be part of the problem as well?
Dakota F says
Yes anything toxic to our food supply should always be a fine by companies trying to lie to consumers about safe for the environment BS.
Cliff.L says
Good for you.i lived in Hawaii
For around 20 years.it should have started back then.we don’t live in Hawaii anymore(sad for us)but we still have film their so go for it you have my vote.
Kevin J says
I read this article yesterday and the thing that really stuck out was that there has been no education of visitors about these changes. I was in the Lahaina Safeway today and the man in front of me was complaining that he couldn’t buy sunscreen and if he got skin cancer it was on Hawaii. I let him know that he could not buy chemicals sunscreens but that mineral sunscreens containing zinc oxide are freely available. I then went next-door to Longs and saw a full display of mineral sunscreens and bought a bottle since I have visitors coming this week who may not be aware of these changes. I hope no one gets fined until there is much more education about I need to move away from chemical sunscreens. As always, thanks for this article!
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Kevin.
Thanks. Education is a big part and we didn’t see anything about that being mentioned thus far by the county.
Aloha.
Cheryl E says
Hi I was just curious do you have a list of the preferred sunscreens to use in the islands thank you
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Cheryl.
We’re mentioned this earlier. There are easily 100 brands of sunscreens. A good place to start might be here: https://www.ewg.org/sunscreen/.
Aloha.
Randy R says
Disappointed, EWG is a 501 (3) (C), non-profit, California and Minnesota based, who could be just another body of subjective guidelines predicated on mandated Diversity and Equity, that has no reality in the real world. Why does one have to go to the end to find out who this innocuous Brand is ‘Environmental Working Group’ is an activist group, pushing an agenda that has in it’s ranking #’s I.e. ‘5’ contradictory information the reader cannot deciminate (sharonmahan.com). Why no Reef Safe Category?
Barbara M says
And guess what – you have to sign up for the website in order to see the list – or at least that was my experience just now. And “Reef Safe” apparently isn’t what it’s cracked up to be. We’re devoted to Blue Lizard after 3 dermatologists in 3 practices recommended it after I got a melanoma using Sun Bum (long story). Most Blue Lizard is labelled “Reef Safe” but only a few of their products have nothing more than Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (sorry, too lazy to look up the correct names). Those we use in Hawaii, the others we use at home.
Kimo C says
Mahalo for your article.
Hawaii is not Disneyland.
Not an amusement park.
The fascination and love of natural beauty should be motivation enough to get educated and respect the aina.
Removing the products at the source is always the best way.
Education of the public will take a lot of effort on the part of the tourism industry, retail and DLNR.
Fines, yes when other efforts are exhausted.
Aloha
DC says
Yes.
Holly R says
We visited Kauai last July. Our first stop was Costco, and one of our first purchases was sunscreen. We had purposefully waited to buy in Hawaii to make sure we got reef safe sunscreen. To our surprise, they had only one reef safe brand and when we asked why, we were told Costco didn’t want to force us to buy a certain type against our wishes. We were shocked because we figured only reef safe would be sold in Hawaii! We bought the one reef safe brand. It should be all anyone in the state sells!
Mahalo for your coverage.
Randy R says
Amen, if Stores in the State are selling Brands that damage Coral Reefs, they are part of the problem, not the cure, and the Retailer knowingly profiting off the possibly unknowing Tourist is guilty. The State has a responsibility if they are going to create such Laws to Police them against any and all. Ignorance of the Law, may not be an excuse, however, it would certainly look more favorably on the Tourist who purchased locally, then the Merchant who both ignored the Law and profited knowing they were working against State Law!
Pamela T. says
Is there somewhere that I can find a list of acceptable sunscreens ? I will be visiting in February.
Barbara M says
I don’t know if BofH will publish this but we’re devoted to Blue Lizard after 3 dermatologists in 3 practices recommended it after I got a melanoma using Sun Bum (long story). Most Blue Lizard is labelled “Reef Safe” but only a few of their products have nothing more than Zinc Oxide and Titanium Dioxide (sorry, too lazy to look up the correct names). Those we use in Hawaii, the others we use at home. You can get it on line (look for the sales) or at some Walmarts. A bit pricey (just like all the other “specialty sunscreens) but it goes a long way.
Mame C says
I’m all for it. The hard part is getting the word out and letting everyone know. Then who’s going to enforce this law and how?
I’ll come up with a small test strip you apply to the body, if it turns Red $$$$
Pat C says
Recently, this past spring, my husband and I visited Maui. I brought only reef safe sunscreen. The first day, after multiple applications and taking refuge under a tree for most of the day I became very sunburned. Much more sunscreen and as little suntime as possible for the next 9 days and I left the island red as a lobster. I found out, especially since I only had limited time in the water, I should use regular sunscreen when not in the water. I really need a good sunscreen. I’m willing to forgo the water in order to protect my skin!
Barbara M says
I’ve mentioned a few times that we only use the (truly) chemical free sunscreens when in Hawaii. Otherwise, living in the “Skin Cancer Capital of the US”, we have to use chemical sunscreens.
BARBARA M says
First, let me say that I 1000% agree with protecting the reefs – Hawaiian or otherwise – from the chemicals in sunscreen. But I respectfully ask that those encouraging all chemical sunscreens to be eliminated from manufacture. Please understand that in certain circumstances (high altitude, dry climate), those chemicals help protect those of us who live in those circumstances better than pure “mineral” sunscreens. As I’ve said repeatedly in this thread – use what you need to survive in your home environment but just be careful what you use in Hawaii or other ocean-side situations. We use “mineral-based” at home and strictly “mineral” when in the islands. When just about everyone you know has had at least one melanoma, you need to be careful.
Nancy P. says
My husband and I love being able to visit Maui. We are very much in favor of the chemical based sunscreen ban. We believe we are stewards of our world and we should all do our part to keep our stewardship healthy and thriving. We appreciate being able to visit and experience the aloha and hope we are able to return the aloha.
Thanks for the updates on the islands that we love.
Larry B. says
Thank you Nancy, I believe you get it. We are all in this together. Every last one of us. No one is excluded or exempt.
It’s to everyone’s better interest that we all work together to protect and cherish what remains of our beautiful gift. Not only Hawaii but our planet.
I’m very proud to live in Maui and support all meaningful efforts to protect the beauty and Aloha that is Hawaii.
Jared M says
This is so dumb. I mean… Who is going to enforce this? The Sunscreen Police? This would never hold up in court if challenged anyway. And who is to say for sure if these sunscreens actually have Any measurable effect on anything in Hawaii? Think about all of the Other pollutants that go into the waters around Hawaii Every day. There is no possible way to somehow isolate those pollutants from the miniscule amount of sunscreens of any kind that end up in Hawaiian waters. But it doesn’t surprise me. Of All the problems that Maui has–This is what they are focusing their collective energies on? What a joke.
PAMM says
Mahalo Beat of Hawaii for asking the questions we all want asked!
As a resident, I think $1000 is excessive, unless we’re actually trying to kill tourism.
Our reefs are being damaged by several things, especially uninformed divers and snorkeling. I’ve seen so many people, visitors and residents, standing on the reefs, breaking off coral and not being informed to stop.
All this is taking a toll on our ecosystem.
Those people should be fined that $1000 dollars!
I think all incoming visitors should watch a video or sign documents letting them know how to behave in our fragile environment, but somehow common sense can’t be common anymore.
Stay safe and blessed
Aloha always 🌺
Beat of Hawaii says
Hi Pam.
Thanks for your input on this subject too. Best regards!
Aloha.
Roy says
Thanks for the info. We go to Maui soon.
Gloria W says
As a frequent visitor to the Big Island,I Love it! We tried so hard here on Key West. Our reef is so precious to us. We passed a ban only to have political powers in Tallahassee repeal it. They either don’t get it or they don’t care. So sad.
Linda B says
Good
Michael T. says
I support all efforts to take care of Hawaii’s natural environment.
MJ says
Here’s the link to the list again:
hawaii.com/travel-info/reef-safe-sunscreen/