Hawaiian Airlines has partnered with Raw Elements USA, a reef-safe sun care company, to offer its “Eco Formula” sunscreen to passengers on all flights from North America to Hawaii in April.
Full-size bottles also will be offered for purchase at a discounted in-flight price through June.
The collaboration comes at a time when the state Legislature is examining several bills that seek to prohibit the sale or distribution of over-the-counter sunscreens with oxybenzone and octinoxate, which advocates say harm coral reefs.
In tandem with the partnership, Hawaiian Airlines is also airing a new, educational in-flight video, “Reefs at Risk,” to educate passengers on the impact of sunscreens on Hawaii’s coral reefs.
“Hawaii is a very special place, and we believe it is our kuleana, or responsibility, to care for our home,” Avi Mannis, senior vice president of marketing at Hawaiian Airlines, said in a news
release earlier this month. “Through our partnership with Raw Elements, we encourage guests to join us in reducing the human impact on these delicate coral ecosystems.”
Raw Elements USA is also hosting a social media sweepstakes this month, in which U.S. residents may enter to win two round-trip tickets to Hawaii, with a five-night stay at The Surfjack Hotel and Swim Club, three complimentary island activities and a year’s
supply of Raw Elements reef-safe sunscreen.
Outrigger Resorts promoted reef-safe sunscreen through its OZONE initiative, which it launched three years ago, while the Waikiki Aquarium also has held sunscreen swaps, along with various nonprofits such as Sustainable Coastlines Hawaii and the
Surfrider Foundation on Oahu at beach cleanup events.