Mineral-based sunscreen dispensers: Protecting ‘āina and kānaka

August 2021—Two touch-free mineral-based sunscreen dispensers at Kahalu‘u Beach Park are aiding our efforts to educate beachgoers about reef-friendly sun protection alternatives. With visitors returning to Hawai‘i in record numbers, keeping harmful petrochemicals found in commercial sunscreens out of Hawaiʻi’s marine ecosystems is essential to support the health and regeneration of our corals. The dispensers are provided by Raw Elements, which offers FDA-approved sunscreen products containing reef-friendly zinc oxide as the only active ingredient. As traffic at Kahalu‘u Bay increases, so do the costs of keeping the dispensers stocked. Local businesses are invited to sponsor the dispensers so that we can continue to offer beachgoers a reef-friendly sunscreen alternative. Mahalo nui to Target in Kailua-Kona for believing in our work and becoming our very first sponsor, and to 365 Kona Newbies who collectively raised funds to sponsor and support this effort. Email Cindi Punihaole or call 808-887-6411 for more information. Individual donations to support our efforts to protect Kahalu‘u’s coral reefs are always welcome as well!