The LightSUP Hawaii mission is to restore the reefs of Hawaii to their pristine state! We are passionately devoted to educating our guests on the current stresses the life in our oceans are enduring and more importantly, sharing way we as individuals can be the change we want to see in the world! On our guests behalf, we donate $8 to the Malama Kai Foundation to assist them in the work they have been doing since 1991. #8tochangethefate
Although reefs encompass only 1% of the ocean, it is home to 25% of all marine life. The reefs of the world are a pillar of the over health of Earth, providing food, shelter and supports all the organisms that produce the oxygen we breathe. With the increase in temperatures and acidity, corals around the world are experiencing bleaching and segregation given their inability to adapt the the rapid changes. The corals of the reef are the plants and tress of the forest #oceanicforest, both suffering from the environmental effects of Climate Change.
We are proud of the leadership the State of Hawaii has taken the last few years in passing legislation that will positively affect the oceans and sea life we love.
Hawaii has passed some bold progressive legislation over the past few years
Hawaii was in the spotlight last summer when a ban on sunscreens containing chemicals harmful to coral reefs was signed into law. The law, which will go into effect January 1, 2021, prohibits the sale or distribution of over-the-counter sunscreens containing oxybenzone and octinoxate without a prescription from a licensed physician. Those chemicals help protect skin by filtering UV rays, but cause severe damage to Hawaii's marine environment, according to a study by Haereticus Environmental Laboratory, a nonprofit scientific organization. The chemicals cause bleaching, deformities, DNA damage and ultimately death in coral when they're washed off beachgoers. About 14,000 tons of sunscreen enter the world's reefs every year, according to a 2015 paper published in the journal Archives of Environmental Contamination and Toxicology. The law, which was the first in the country, was approved despite the disapproval of the trade associations and fears that it could lead to an increase in skin cancer.
It wants 100% renewable energy by 2045
Nearly five years ago, Hawaii committed to an ambitious goal: leave the oil on the mainland and get all of the island's electricity from renewable sources.A spike in oil prices, Hawaii's unique location and its geography contributed to the decision."As the most oil-dependent state in the nation, Hawaii spends roughly $5 billion a year on foreign oil to meet its energy needs," Ige said in a statement at the time. "Making the transition to renewable, indigenous resources for power generation will allow us to keep more of that money at home, thereby improving our economy, environment and energy security."It's a lofty goal, but Hawaii still has three decades to figure it out. "The faster we move toward renewable energy, the faster we can stop exporting billions from our local economy to import expensive fossil fuels," State Rep. Chris Lee, chair of the House Energy and Environmental Protection Committee, said at the time.Authorities have said they are considering installing undersea cables, solar panels and other technology.
The pendulum is gathering momentum and moving in a positive direction we all want for life on our planet and for the future generations.