Hawaii is at the forefront of a movement to end shark finning.
"Hawaii might be the last addition to the union but it's definitely the first in the nation and certainly in the world to protect sharks and oceans by banning shark fin,” said Iris Ho from the Humane Society International.
Staring July 1st, Hawaii will be the first state and the only place in the world to prohibit the sale, possession and distribution of shark fins.
"The only law of its kind in the entire country and again we are very excited that Hawaii is once again a leader in shark and ocean conservation for the rest of the world to follow,” said Inga Gibson from the Humane Society of the United States.
Spear headed by Senator Clayton Hee, the bill was signed into law late last month and is aimed at saving sharks from extinction.
"But as far as I am concerned it's no different than killing an elephant for its tusks or de-horning a rhinoceros for its horn,” said Sen. Clayton Hee.
Hee and Hawaii-born model, actress and activist Kelly Hu stand united as Chinese Hawaiian Americans who hope to end shark finning for good.
"So I am here to encourage other Asian Americans to help end the demand by talking, blogging and tweeting about this bill and encouraging their friends to support the bills in their areas prohibiting the sale and possession of shark fins as we have here,” said Hu.
Restaurants with a permit to serve shark fin soup have one year to get rid of their inventory.
Others without a permit face fines up to $15,000 for the first offense and commercial boaters are also subject to penalty.
Exceptions will be made for researchers who have a permit from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.
