The State of Hawaii already has a ban on the sale of nonmineral sunscreens across the state. However, some counties are takings the protection of our coral reefs a step further. As a result, Hawaii County bans nonmineral sunscreens entirely, joining Maui as the only other county to do so thus far.
Sunscreen is important in hot and sunny Hawaii. They help prevent you from getting sunburned and, as a result, help to minimize your chances of developing skin cancer. However, traditional chemical sunscreens aren’t good for coral reefs. Specifically, the chemicals oxybenzone, octinoxate, avobenzone, and octocrylene, are believed to weaken the immune system of coral polyps amking them more vulnerable to disease, which can eventually lead to bleaching.
Why implement a total ban? Why not just ban beach use. That’s a fair question. While sunscreen naturally washes off while swiming – which is why you have to reapply often – the sunscreen you wash off in the shower eventually ends up in the ocean too. Sewege treatment plants do not clean the water of the potentially reef killing chemicals, nor is that practically possible. So the only way to keep these chemicals out of our ocean is via a complete ban.
Hawaii County Bans Nonmineral Sunscreens
As Hawaii County bans nonmineral sunscreens, they’ll also take steps to ease access of mineral sunscreens. In fact, the steep fines of $1,000 per incident for violations will help fund mineral suncreen dispensers at beaches across the island and educational materials. This differs from the Maui County version, which depsoits all monies into their environmental protection fund. Maui County does not disclose a specific fine amount for its ban.
The Hawaii County ban goes into effect on December 1, 2022, two months after Maui County’s October 1, implementation date. Both the Hawaii County and Maui County bills provide exemptions for perscription sunscreens.
What Sunscreen Should I Use?
Ok, we know what coming. But as Hawaii County bans nonmineral sunscreens, I’m sure many of you are wondering what you can use instead. The good news is that mineral-based sunscreens aren’t difficult to find. In fact, well-known sunscreen makers such, as Coppertone and Neutrogena, already make mineral-based sunscreens with SPF ratings of up to 60! The only downfall is that a bottle of mineral sunscreen will run you about $2 to $3 more than the traditional stuff.
Personally, I’ll be trialing Neutrogena’s mineral-based sunscreen. Mrs. Island Miler and I are already familiar with and like their sheer, dry-touch line of sunscreens, so it makes sense to stick with it. I’ll be sure to report back on my experience for you all!
Hawaii County Bans Nonmineral Sunscreens, Final Thoughts
No one likes spending more, especially on an already costly Hawaiian vacation. However, I hope you all will spend the extra few bucks to help protect our precious natural resources. Not only are Hawaii’s reefs critical habitat for numerous species of fish, they also help support our dwindling monk seal population, provide food for shoreline fishers, and help protect the islands against surf. Our reefs are already under insurmountable pressure from other polution sources, warming sea temperatures, and ocean acidification. Let’s do what we can to help take additional pressures off of them.