Reef-safe sunscreen educational materials available at no cost

The Maui Nui Marine Resource Council is offering free materials to educate visitors and residents about a new state law that prohibits the sale and distribution of suscreens containing the reef-harming chemicals oxybenzone and octinoxate.

The law went into effect on Friday.

To explain the new law and encourage people to curtail their use of sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate that they already own, the resource council is offering wallet-sized information cards free to Maui businesses and concierges for distribution to the public.

“The cards require very little space on a counter or desk, yet provide all of the information needed to help a guest or customer avoid reef-harming oxybenzone and octinoxate, two chemicals that have been proven to harm or kill corals,” said Anne Rillero, the resource council’s communications, community outreach and development manager.

For those with more space, the resource council is offering free 8 1/2-by-11-inch color posters with the message “Get a Jump on Protecting Maui’s Coral Reefs: Make the Sunscreen Switch Today.”

In addition, bumper stickers with the message, “Show some love for Maui’s corals. Choose reef-safe sunscreen,” are also free to the public.

For these free materials, send an email with the name of the business, resort or vacation rental, the sender’s name and contact information and the items requested to info@ mauireefs.org.

To learn more about the resource council, visit mauireefs .org.