Divers and tourists face bleached reefs at Maui’s Molokini Crater, Protecting both your skin and Maui’s reefs from bleach

Recently, researchers discovered bleaching affect at least half the coral reef at Molokini Crater near Maui, resulting in warmer ocean water. Ocean and marine life advocates most probably are doing their part to protect the reef by recycling, avoiding use of water pollutants, eating only sustainable seafood, and volunteering for beach cleanups.

In fact, the Division of Aquatic Resources special projects coordinator Darla White already led the dive team to snorkel in the area. "When we jumped in the water, it looked like a scene out of an early winter snow. Pretty much everything is white or lightly dusted in white," White stated.

She also added, We're looking at a future where warming issues we're going to see events like this a lot more frequently. So, yes, it's going to affect tourism," said White. "More importantly, if a reef isn't growing, its eroding and if we continue to see mortality, we'll be looking at more and more less structure out there. It turns a three dimensional habitat into a two dimension habitat."

Ocean friendly sun protection has also made its way as the new "hot topic" in marine conservation. A study in 2008 found that sunscreen, including other ocean contaminants, contribute to coral bleaching. Since that study was introduced, there has been ongoing arguments about the extent of damage caused by sunscreens and other runoffs and pollutants, including shampoo and other phosphates.

However, the benefits of using sun protection are well- defined as claimed by the Skin Cancer Foundation. One of their studies found out that regular sunscreen users reduced their incidence of melanoma by 50-73 percent. But then, the notion of keeping our oceans as free as possible from chemical pollution is always the best idea to conserve the ocean waters.

As a result, the Trilogy Excursions made a brilliant idea to offer complimentary Hawaiian Sol reef, which is a safe sunscreen to guests snorkeling at Molokini and other coral reef sites in Maui Nui. This sunscreen is proven to be "reef safe" with its physical blockers like titanium dioxide or zinc oxide rather than the chemicals Oxybenzone (benzophenone-3), Butylparaben, Octinoxate, and 4-methylbenzylidene camphor. These chemicals, in large quantities, have been thought to contribute to coral bleaching, and the health effects to humans are still in argument.

Meanwhile, the easiest way to protect yourself from the sun is just putting on a cover up during the hottest parts of the day. Rash guards are also a great way to protect yourself and the ocean. Aside from the fact that there's no need to worry about reapplication, it also shields divers and tourists from stings from marine cnidarians.

The guests and divers will always have choices to protect the waters of Maui. By showing their support of ocean conservation and by advocating ways to conserve the marine lives, this will always be a great means to help the ocean waters.