STAND. COM. REP. NO. 3274

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: S.R. No. 100

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Twenty-Ninth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2018

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Agriculture and Environment, to which was referred S.R. No. 100 entitled:

"SENATE RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII TOURISM AUTHORITY TO ESTABLISH A CAMPAIGN TO EDUCATE VISITORS TO THE STATE ABOUT THE HARMFUL EFFECTS OF OXYBENZONE SUNSCREEN ON CORAL REEFS AND TO ENCOURAGE VISITORS TO THE STATE TO REFRAIN FROM USING OXYBENZONE SUNSCREENS,"

beg leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to request the Hawaii Tourism Authority to:

(1) Establish a campaign to educate visitors to the State about the harmful effects of oxybenzone sunscreen on coral reefs and to encourage visitors to refrain from using oxybenzone sunscreen; and

(2) Submit a report to the Legislature no later than twenty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2019 on efforts taken to educate visitors about the harmful effects of oxybenzone.

Your Committees received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, Hawaiian Affairs Caucus of the Democratic Party of Hawaii, and one individual. Your Committees received comments on this measure from the Hawaii Tourism Authority and one individual.

Your Committees find that the health of Hawaii's marine ecosystem is one of the most pressing matters of the State. Coral in Hawaii's waters are showing increasingly significant signs of damage, including extensive bleaching. Your Committees further find that the chemical known as oxybenzone, found in sunscreen, is harmful to coral. Studies have shown that oxybenzone causes coral deformity, bleaching, and DNA damage that weaken the coral systems' adaptability to climate change. Your Committees note that there are alternatives to oxybenzone sunscreen. Elevated levels of oxybenzone have been detected throughout the State, including Waimea Bay, Waikiki Beach in Oahu, and Honolua Bay in Maui. Your Committees find great merit in educating visitors about the potential impacts of oxybenzone on Hawaii's marine ecosystem in order to better preserve and protect marine life.

As affirmed by the records of votes of the members of your Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Agriculture and Environment that are attached to this report, your Committees concur with the intent and purpose of S.R. No. 100 and recommend that it be referred to your Committee on Ways and Means.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committees on Economic Development, Tourism, and Technology and Agriculture and Environment,

________________________________ MIKE GABBARD, Chair

________________________________ GLENN WAKAI, Chair