The first non-chemical sunscreen dispenser in a Hawai‘i State Park was recently unveiled as a movement and legislation to get ocean users and beach goers to only apply mineral-based sun protection grows.

Dena Sedar, an interpretive specialist with the DLNR Division of State Parks (DSP), coordinated the partnership that funded the sunscreen station at the Waialae section of Hāpuna State Recreation Area.  She and other ocean advocates were on hand to greet beach visitors with information on coral reef protection and the detrimental impacts chemical-based sunscreens have on corals, which are considered the foundation for healthy oceans.  Sedar also hopes other beach locations will see dispensers in the future. In addition to DSP other partners in the Waialea project were mineral sunscreen maker Raw Elements and the Coral Reef Alliance.

In recent years Hawai‘i has made strides in attempting to reduce the volume of sunscreen chemicals flowing into the ocean. A statewide ban on the sale of sunscreens containing two specific chemicals went into effect earlier this year.  The Maui County Council was considering a ban on the sale of all chemical-based sunscreens.

Photo credit: DLNR