Governor Lingle has signed the shark fin bill into law.
When the bill takes effect July 1st, 2010, hawaii will become the first state in the nation to have a law that prohibits the possession and sale of shark fins.
Hawaii had become a distribution point for shark fins because of our location in the Pacific, and that's one of the reasons why supporters say it's so important to have the ban.
But the new law also means -- no more shark fin soup.
Bo Wah Trading Co. on Maunakea Street is one of several shops in Chinatown that sell shark fins.
"Is it a big money maker?"
"No we sell just a little bit, not too much because so expensive yeah," said Sammy Au, Bo Wah Trading Co.
How expensive? About $240 a pound.
"So about $38 each piece."
But come July 1st, it'll be against the law to posess, sell, trade or distribute shark fins in Hawaii.
And it doesn't matter if it's dried, frozen or canned.
"Because cannot sell anymore, we will stop," said Au.
"We don't lose out a lot. By not selling it, yeah because we don't sell that much," said Jacky Au, Bo Wah Trading Co.
One place that does sell a lot is Royal Gardens in the Ala Moana Hotel.
This Chinese restaurant specializes in shark fin soup -- a delicacy eaten during special occasions, like weddings.
A single serving of shark fin soup starts at $13.95 and goes all the way up to $55.
The manager of Royal Gardens says the shark fin ban will affect sales.
But under the new law, restaurants will have a one year grace period to use up their supply, so by July 1st, 2011, shark fin soup should be off the menu.
Senator Clayton Hee introduced the bill.
"It's terrific news. I'm grateful the Governor decided to sign it and sign it early," said Hee.
Hawaii becomes the first state in the nation to have such a ban.
"I couldn't be happier for several reasons. Hawaiians have been silent for very long understanding their aumakua has been in soup but more importantly for the sustainability of the ocean globally," said Hee.
According to the University of Hawaii, 89-million sharks are harvested every year for their fins.
"And there's a bill in Congress that's stuck in the Senate so maybe with the Governor signing the bill it'll send the message to Washington to follow the lead of Hawaii," said Hee.
The penalty for breaking the new law will be a fine of $5,000 TO $15,000 the first time.
And if caught again -- the fine goes up, and there's even the possibility of going to jail for a third offense.
