Can you take a shell from Hawaii?

According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed. However, Hawaii plays host to over seven MILLION visitors per year.
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Can you collect shells in Hawaii?

Hawaii's Department of Land and Natural Resources allows you to collect seashells for personal use but not for resale. You can search for shells year-round, but to beat the crowds, it is better to start searching early in the day.
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Can you bring shells and coral back from Hawaii?

What is this? You are allowed to take small amounts of seashells back home with you as long as you don't try to sell them.
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Can you bring shells and sand back from Hawaii?

And that's a very risky endeavor, as taking sand from any beach in Hawaii is punishable by fines upwards of $100,000. This includes Papakolea Beach, also known as Green Sands Beach, and Punalu'u Beach, which is famous for its black volcanic sands. This issue stretches far beyond the beaches of Italy and Hawaii.
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Is it OK to take seashells from the beach?

In a study more than 30 years in the making, researchers have found that the removal of shells from beaches could damage ecosystems and endanger organisms that rely on shells for their survival.
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Explore Oahu: Looking For Sea Shells on Northshore Oahu, Hawaii



Can you take shells on a plane?

No restrictions on shells in carry-on, but do be sure to clean them well so all your things don't smell (look under the Top Questions at the top right side of this forum for info on how to clean shells).
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Is it illegal to collect seashells?

No, it's not illegal. I wouldn't collect from a beach where there was an official sign to discourage or forbid it, but if there wasn't I would think it ok to pick a few items. Shells and driftwood are renewable, rock material less so IMO.
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What can't you take from Hawaii?

Common Items from Hawaii NOT ALLOWED into the U.S. Mainland or Alaska
  • Fresh fruits and vegetables, some exceptions are those listed below as permitted.
  • Berries of any kind, including fresh coffee berries and sea grapes.
  • Cactus plants or cactus plant parts.
  • Cotton and cotton bolls.
  • Fresh flowers of jade vine, and Mauna Loa.
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Is it illegal to take rock from Hawaii?

HAWAII (CBS) – Tourism officials in Hawaii are reminding visitors not to take lava rocks home with them. Taking things from National Parks is against the law, so taking volcanic rocks from Hawaii's volcanoes is illegal.
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Can you bring a rock home from Hawaii?

Even if the rocks and sand did not come from Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said it is also illegal to take sand and rock from any public beach.
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Can I collect dead coral in Hawaii?

No. In Hawai'i, it is unlawful to take, break or damage, any stony coral, including any reef or mushroom coral (HAR 13-95-70), except as otherwise authorized by law by a Special Activity Permit for scientific, educational, management, or propagation purposes (HRS 187A-6). Am I allowed to collect coral to sell? No.
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Can you take beach rocks from Hawaii?

It is against federal law to remove rocks from a national park, and against state law to take sand from any Hawaii beach.
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Can you take black sand from Hawaii?

During a volcanic eruption, enough lava can interact this way with the ocean that a new black sand beach can form literally overnight. It is illegal in Hawaii to take lava rocks and sand from the beautiful beaches on any of the islands.
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Why are there no shells in Hawaii?

Re: Sea shells in Oahu? Two of the main reasons you won't find seashells on the beach here in Hawaii are: the isolation of the islands and the slope of the beaches. If one is diving or snorkeling far off shore, you will see seashells. These of course are homes to living animals and shouldn't be taken.
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Can I take shells home from Kauai?

LIHUE — The sight of tourists picking up seashells off the beaches of Kauai is common. Taking those shells from the ocean or beach is generally not prohibited but is regulated by the Division of Aquadic Resources.
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Can you collect shells in Maui?

Baldwin Beach

If you love collecting seashells, this is the beach for you. Nestled on the North Shore of Maui, Baldwin Beach can be found at the six-mile marker of Hana Highway near Paia.
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Can you take rocks and shells from Hawaii?

According to the Division of Land and Natural Resources, taking small amounts of sand, dead coral, rocks or other marine deposits for personal, noncommercial use is allowed. However, Hawaii plays host to over seven MILLION visitors per year.
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Why can't you take lava rock from Hawaii?

The belief that Pele, the volcano goddess of Hawaii's Big Island, brings bad luck to those who take lava prompts hundreds of people to return rocks each year; 'we're very sorry.
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Can you bring back lava rock?

It's not illegal to take sand from the beaches unless it's more than a gallon a day or for commercial purposes. Whether it's a lava rock or sand that you want to return, you won't be in any trouble with the law by returning it.
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Can I bring a lei back from Hawaii?

It is also nice to take it home as a memento of your amazing Hawaiian vacation. So you might be wondering, can I bring flower leis home from Hawaii? The answer is yes. But you need to follow some steps to make sure your lei makes it home looking fresh and beautiful.
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Can you take produce out of Hawaii?

Items from Hawaii that travelers may NOT bring to the U.S. mainland: Fresh fruits and vegetables, except for those listed above as permitted. Berries of any kind, including whole fresh coffee berries (aka, coffee cherries) and sea grapes.
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Can I bring an avocado back from Hawaii?

Yes, you can bring avocados in your checked baggage when boarding a flight within the United States, with the exceptions for Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands noted above. You can bring as many avocados as you'd like in your allowable checked luggage.
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Can I take sand home from Hawaii?

It is illegal to take sand from Hawaii beaches, state Department of Land and Natural Resources spokeswoman Deborah Ward said. The law contains a limited number of exceptions that do not include personal or commercial sales. Fines for illegally collecting Hawaii sand can reach upward of $100,000.
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Can you bring seashells through customs?

USDA does not require a permit to bring saltwater sea shells into the country because, if cleaned properly, they do not pose a significant pest or disease threat to agriculture. To avoid complication, you must make sure the shells are as clean as possible and do not contain any dirt, which can carry microorganisms.
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Is it against the law to take stones from the beach?

Under the Coastal Protection Act 1949, it is illegal to remove stones from public beaches. In fact, some areas of the country have large signs warning people that they could face prosecution if they remove stones. Why is it so important not to removes stones from the beach?
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