Maui Passes Historic Sunscreen Bill

Image: Shanemyersphoto, Adobe Stock

In November 2021, the Maui County Council unanimously passed Bill 135 to prohibit the sale, distribution, or use of non-mineral sunscreens.

This is the strictest law governing the damaging chemicals in sunscreen in the United States. In 2018, Hawaii Governor David Ige signed a bill banning the sale and distribution of any sunscreen that contains oxybenzone or octinoxate.

“Non-mineral sunscreens are an aggressive pollutant,” said Maui County Councilmember Kelly Takaya King. “Our coral reefs are our first defense against erosion from sea level rise and, in addition to the threats of climate change and ocean warming, runoff from storms and development, and seepage from wastewater injection wells, chemical sunscreens cause extensive harm to our reef systems and marine life. Bill 135 is one important step toward protecting the health and resilience of our reef and marine life by removing a significant ecological stressor.”

Once signed into law, Bill 135 will take effect on October 1, 2022.