HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES	H.R. NO.	96
TWENTY-EIGHTH LEGISLATURE, 2015
STATE OF HAWAII

HOUSE RESOLUTION

 

 

SUPPORTING THE DECLARATION OF THE CELLANA EXARATA SHELL AS THE HAWAII STATE SEA SHELL.

 

 

 

     WHEREAS, the cellana exarata, also known as the Hawaiian blackfoot opihi, is a limpet, which is part of a broad category of marine snail characterized by conical shells; and

 

WHEREAS, although limpets are found around the world the Hawaiian blackfoot opihi is only found in the Hawaiian islands; and

 

WHEREAS, the Hawaiian blackfoot opihi are mainly found in the most violent areas where surf crashes on the wet rocks, tightly braced so they are unharmed by surf while they slowly graze on algae;

 

     WHEREAS, native Hawaiians once used Hawaiian blackfoot opihi for fertilizer, jewelry, scraping taro, and considered it an important source of protein; and

 

WHEREAS, today Hawaiian blackfoot opihi are a highly coveted delicacy, especially for baby luaus, because the intense opihi-rock connection is equated with the bond between mother and child; and

 

WHEREAS, some believe that Hawaiian blackfoot opihi also symbolize tightly knit families because they tend to cluster together with other Hawaiian blackfoot opihi; and

 

WHEREAS, because there is a high demand for Hawaiian blackfoot opihi, many people in Hawaii each year attempt to pick Hawaiian blackfoot opihi in these dangerous conditions, in fact, more people in Hawaii die each year picking Hawaiian blackfoot opihi than from shark or an animal attacks; and

 

     WHEREAS, the population of the Hawaiian blackfoot opihi is dwindling because of over-harvesting of this sought-after treat and, in 2013, the price of opihi was approximately $40 a pound at Honolulu fish markets; and

 

     WHEREAS, many states, including South Carolina, Florida, Georgia, and Massachusetts have designated a state sea shell; and

 

     WHEREAS, it is fitting for Hawaii to have a designated state sea shell, especially because it is the only state in the United States that is an island; and 

 

WHEREAS, it is essential to protect the overharvested limpet and to promote awareness for the culturally vital Hawaiian blackfoot opihi and its beautiful conical sea shell; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the House of Representatives of the Twenty-eighth Legislature of the State of Hawaii, Regular Session of 2015, that the Legislature supports the declaration of the cellana exarata shell as the Hawaii state sea shell; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Resolution be transmitted to the Governor and the Chairperson of the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

 

 

 

	OFFERED BY:	_____________________________

Report Title: 

Cellana exarata; State sea shell