A new law went into effect yesterday on Maui. And a somewhat less stringent one is coming to the Big Island.
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123 thoughts on “Should Maui Visitors Be Subject To $1,000 Fine For This?”
A new law went into effect yesterday on Maui. And a somewhat less stringent one is coming to the Big Island.
It is interesting that you link NOAA for the (obvious) statement that reefs are important, but switch to passive voice “this is believed to cause…” rather than cite any kind of research or scientist supporting the Maui ban. Actual conservation biologists and reef health experts know this drastic ban is useless, and point out that there’s zero evidence that titanium dioxide and other so called “reef safe” chemicals are actually helpful.
Completely absent from discussions in the legislature or the media is the fact that many residents who work/play daily far from the reefs depend on sunscreen to prevent skin cancer. Rather than support reef-saving measures that actually work politicians score cheap green-washing points with an easy ban.
Yes or something like it. $1000 seems way over the top to me but sunscreen pollution is an issue. It seems that the remediation and/or penalty should be standardized on all islands. By-the-way what does “chemical” even mean. State of Hawaii Act 104 disallows the use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate but there are hardly any products that contain those chemicals anymore. Even so-called “reef safe” mineral based sunscreens contain a boatload of chemicals. What is the definition of a true reef safe product?
Anecdote: At Poipu Beach the other day I was asking the lifeguard where the rip current was and he pointed out the stream of sunscreen washing out to sea. True but sad story.
No. No. and no, again!
All that will do is disenfranchise visitors to Maui, except for the Green Peace visitors, and create another level of the government to monitor, arrest and prosecute the “violators”.
How will the county monitor this? Use spies and snitches who roam the beaches looking for people who are putting on sunscreen?
I’m all for it. For myself, I wear a light airy rash guard and leggings. These work like SPF 50. In and out of the water. Problem solved.
Problem solved for you! But how about the other 99.9999999% of the population!?!?!?!
Good for you! But what about the other 99.9999999% of the population!
The best approach is to ban the use of products that contain threatening ingredients in areas where coral reefs are most susceptible to exposure. This type of regulatory policy has been in place for almost 15 years in Mexico’s Eco reserves, including Xcaret and Xel-Há.
Here is a good article from 2019 about the problem and why it should be nationwide not just in Hawaii. dailymail.co.uk/health/article-7025145/Why-sunscreen-better-Europe-EU-allows-27-UVA-blocking-ingredients.html
Is this for use only on the beach? Or pools also? Because if I bring something in and don’t use it on the beach, only when walking around? Looking for clarification on this
Correct – the issue is coral degradation.
The issue is coral degradation so you’re fine with what you described.
You should not use it at all, even if you don’t go into the ocean. When you shower the chemicals go down the drain and eventually find their way to the ocean.
Perhaps one of the state agencies could, with input of all airlines flying to Hawaii, produce a short video that would be played at the start of All Flights, just like the safety presentation. I have pitched this idea to HAL a time or two over the years.
All efforts to protect the reef I would support. As the Agricultural screen is done they should include sunscreens to be a part of the screening process. Airlines,hotels car rental should also alert the travelers of the new law at time of booking to educate all travelers to the islands.
Yes, they definitely should fine people. So sick of having the clueless and rude people of this world contaminate our water , land and air that we all have to share. All of our laws should be enforced. No smoking on the beaches as well!! Cigarette butts are e v e r y w h e r e! Disgusting habit. Smoking in public spread Covid repeatedly throughout the restaurants’ staffs across the islands (and on mainland) – but it is never outlawed in public and it’s not enforced on the beaches where it is illegal. Cigarette smoke, even in small quantities, exposes everybody who is downwind or nearby to carcinogens as does spraying these banned sunscreens. I’m literally physically sick and tired from exposure to these.
Ban sunscreen, but leave the dilapidated vehicles parked on the streets and the waterfront. what
are the tent cities, using a “facility”?
Hawaii should hold high environmental standards. Enough chemicals being dumped on our Earth