“Reef-safe” and “reef-friendly” are unregulated marketing terms. They do not prove mineral-only ingredients or environmental safety. Look for broad-spectrum SPF 30 or higher and water resistance if you will swim, as recommended by the American Academy of Dermatology. Add protective clothing and shade, and reapply as the label directs.
What About BEMT Sunscreen?
Bemotrizinol, also called BEMT, is a non-mineral UV filter that the FDA permitted in June 2026. That does not make it compliant with Maui County’s mineral-only rule or the Big Island’s mineral-only sales rule. The prescription exceptions still apply. Even a blend of BEMT and zinc oxide is not mineral-only. Read our BEMT and Hawaii sunscreen explainer before buying.
Check the Formula Before Ordering
Before ordering this face sunscreen, check the current Drug Facts label. For a mineral-only formula, every active ingredient must be zinc oxide or titanium dioxide. Check the product’s directions and water-resistance labeling before choosing it for a swim day.
Before ordering this face and body sunscreen, read the current active-ingredient list and application directions. Choose zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both without other active filters for a mineral-only formula. A product name or “reef-safe” claim is not enough to confirm compliance.
Hawaii restricts sales of sunscreens containing oxybenzone or octinoxate without a prescription. Maui County also restricts non-mineral sunscreen use and sales; the Big Island restricts non-mineral sunscreen sales. Check every active ingredient.
Does a reef-safe label prove a sunscreen complies?
No. Reef-safe and reef-friendly are unregulated marketing terms. Read the active ingredients. For a mineral-only formula, choose zinc oxide, titanium dioxide, or both, with no other active ingredients.
Is BEMT sunscreen allowed in Hawaii?
BEMT is bemotrizinol, a non-mineral UV filter permitted by the FDA in June 2026. It does not meet Maui County’s mineral-only rule for use without a prescription or the Big Island’s mineral-only sales rule. The statewide sales law names oxybenzone and octinoxate, not BEMT.
Founder & certified Hawai'i travel expert with 20+ years in Hawai'i tourism, University of South Carolina climate-research training, and NOAA weather-station experience.
Moderate trades are holding steady with scattered showers working through windward slopes tonight and into early morning. Leeward and dry areas stay mostly clear between the rain pulses.
Through Tuesday, expect moderate to rough surf on north and east-facing shores while south-facing beaches stay calm. Windward areas will see the heaviest showers overnight to early morning—showers move quickly, so no major flooding. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for waters around Maui County and the Big Island. By midweek, trades ease slightly as a weak low develops, and showers continue but may shift. Next weekend could turn wetter with more tropical moisture possible, though that's still uncertain.
Leeward beach days and afternoon activities work best right now. Save windward hikes for after sunrise, and stick to calmer leeward coasts if you're planning water sports.
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Moderate to breezy trade winds are holding steady this morning with scattered showers moving through windward areas. Expect brief bursts of rain especially on windward slopes overnight and into early morning, moving quickly. Leeward and dry areas stay mostly clear between showers, with no major flooding expected.
Through Tuesday, north and east-facing shores will see above-average surf. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday at 6 AM for waters around Maui County and the Big Island. By midweek, winds ease slightly as a broad area of weak low pressure develops. Showers continue but may shift. Next weekend could turn wetter with more tropical moisture, though that forecast is still uncertain.
Leeward beaches and afternoon activities work best today and Saturday. If you're heading windward, avoid hikes before sunrise.
0:000:57
Voice
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Moderate to breezy trade winds are pushing brief showers across windward slopes overnight and into early morning, with mostly clear skies between them on the leeward side. Showers will keep moving through in waves over the next few days—nothing heavy enough to cause flooding. North and east-facing beaches will see rough surf through Tuesday, while south-facing shores stay calm. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for waters around the island.
By midweek the trades will ease slightly as a broad area of weak low pressure moves in, and showers may shift pattern. Next weekend could turn wetter, though that forecast is still uncertain.
Leeward beach days work best, especially Saturday afternoon when humidity dips. Save windward hikes for later in the morning when overnight showers have cleared.
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Voice
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Moderate trades are blowing this morning with scattered showers moving through windward areas. Expect brief bursts of rain on the mountain-facing slopes overnight and early morning, especially through early next week. Showers will come in waves but move quickly—no major flooding expected. Leeward and dry areas stay mostly clear between pulses.
North and east-facing shores have moderate to rough surf through Tuesday. Medium-period north swell peaks tonight then gradually declines over the weekend. A Small Craft Advisory is in effect through Monday morning for waters around Maui County and the Big Island.
By midweek, trades ease slightly as weak low pressure develops. Showers continue but may shift. Next weekend could be wetter with more tropical moisture possible, though confidence is low that far out.
Plan leeward beach days and afternoon activities for Saturday, when humidity may drop to near critical fire levels between shower pulses. Save windward hikes for after sunrise. Snorkeling and water sports are best on the calmer leeward coasts.
Created with AI from the official NWS forecast discussion · verify with NWS before heading out
