Report Title:

Native Hawaiian Economic Development; Niihau Shells; Protection

Description:

Prohibits items made of seashells from being labeled "Niihau" if not 100% made of Niihau shells and made within the State. Allows items made with at least         % but less than 100% of Niihau shells to be labeled as to percentage content.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

H.B. NO.

2569

TWENTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2004

 

STATE OF HAWAII

 


 

A BILL FOR AN ACT

 

relating to niihau shell products.

 

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

SECTION 1. Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

"§486-    Niihau shells; representing content. (a) In addition to all other label and branding requirements, no person shall offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for sale any product or jewelry item fabricated, processed, or manufactured with seashells, that is described, labeled, or identified using the term "Niihau", either alone or in conjunction with other words, unless the product or jewelry item is:

(1) Comprised one hundred per cent of seashells harvested from the island of Niihau, its waters, or beaches; and

(2) Fabricated, processed, or manufactured entirely within the State.

(b) If any product or jewelry item under this section does not meet the requirement of subsection (a)(1), but does meet the requirement of subsection (a)(2), the product or jewelry item may use the term "Niihau" in conjunction with the percentage of seashells originating from the island of Niihau, its waters, or beaches; provided that only products or jewelry items comprising at least        per cent but less than one hundred per cent of seashells originating from the island of Niihau, its waters, or beaches shall be permitted to be labeled with a percentage component and be described, labeled, or identified using the term "Niihau", either alone or in conjunction with other words."

SECTION 2. New statutory material is underscored.

SECTION 3. This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

INTRODUCED BY:

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