HI SB2169

Prohibits any person from possessing, selling, offering for sale, trading, or distributing shark fins in Hawaii, effective July 1, 2010.

Exempts persons holding department of land and natural resources licenses or permits for research or educational purposes from the prohibition.

Allows restaurants with valid health department certificates to possess and sell shark fins that were in their possession as of July 1, 2010 until July 1, 2011.

Establishes escalating penalties: first offense $5,000-$15,000 fine; second offense $15,000-$35,000 fine plus seizure of shark fins and equipment; third or subsequent offense $35,000-$50,000 fine or up to one year imprisonment plus seizure.

Repeals the previous shark finning law (§188-40.5) which had only prohibited harvesting shark fins from sharks not landed whole.