HI SCR149

Urges Hawaii residents and businesses to comply with the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) and refrain from buying or selling ivory of unknown origin that may have been illegally smuggled into the state.

Cites crisis-level elephant and rhinoceros poaching in Africa, noting that Zakouma National Park's elephant population declined from an estimated 4,350 in 2002 to approximately 457 animals due to mass hunting.

Notes that despite the federal ban on African elephant ivory sales since 1989, African ivory remains legally sold in Hawaii as jewelry and antiques if imported before 1989 or at least 100 years old at time of import.

References a Care for the Wild International study indicating that one-third of ivory products sold in the United States have illegal origins, despite international and national bans.

Directs transmission of the resolution to the Governor, Director of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, Director of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the Hawaii Chamber of Commerce, and the Better Business Bureau of Hawaii.