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THE SENATE |
S.C.R. NO. |
173 |
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THIRTY-FIRST LEGISLATURE, 2022 |
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STATE OF HAWAII |
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SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION
urging the department of land and natural resources to construct and operate non-chemical, mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches.
WHEREAS, the use of chemical-based sunscreen is detrimental to the health of Hawai‘i's coral reef ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, the National Ocean Service finds that the chemicals in both lotion and aerosol sunscreens can impair the growth of plants, stunt and deform animals, and contribute to the bleaching of coral; and
WHEREAS, Act 104, Session Laws of Hawaii 2018 (Act 104), banned the sale, offer for sale, or distribution in the State of any sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate, or both, without a medically-licensed prescription; and
WHEREAS, following the enactment of Act 104, there have been additional efforts to expand the ban to include more chemicals, such as avobenzone and octocrylene, that negatively impact Hawai‘i's fragile coral reefs; and
WHEREAS, opponents have expressed concerns with limited stock of approved sunscreens available across the State for consumers, which has halted efforts to further protect Hawai‘i's coral reefs; and
WHEREAS, an alternative mineral-based sunscreen exists that protects consumers from skin cancer and does not harm the reef ecosystems; and
WHEREAS, to provide greater accessibility of approved sunscreens for park users, the first dispenser of mineral-based sunscreen in a Hawai‘i state park was established in November 2021 at the Waialae section of Hāpuna Beach State Recreation Area on the west coast of Hawai‘i Island; and
WHEREAS, the deployment of sunscreen dispensers at state beaches will ease the burden of securing reef-safe sunscreens for use by residents and visitors alike, as well as further protect Hawai‘i's coral reef ecosystems; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-first Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2022, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to expand the installation of mineral-based sunscreen dispensers to all state beaches to decrease the amount of chemicals impacting Hawai‘i's reef ecosystems; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to utilize funds obtained through commercial marine license fees and fines collected from violations of permits to take aquatic life for aquarium purposes to fund the installation of mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at all state beaches; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Department of Land and Natural Resources is requested to submit a report of its actions and progress, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2023; and
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a certified copy of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.
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OFFERED BY: |
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Non-Chemical Sunscreen Dispensers; Department of Land and Natural Resources; State Beaches;