Buying Hawaiian fish in Hawaii?

juicemanatx · Dec 14, 2019

Hey all,

Going to Visit Kona Hawaii in April, anyone know if any LFS or Divers that maybe I can grab something cool to bring back? Is that even a thing? Can you bring fish on a plane back with you?

Jon Fishman · Dec 14, 2019

I believe it’s a difficult state for the locals to even get fish........ Better off ordering online and shipping..... not worth the headache

G12_aquatics · Dec 14, 2019

Hawaii has very strict laws going in and out of the state with any kind of living organisms. An average member of the public wouldn’t find it worth their while to bring back fish legally, and attempting to do so illegally is punishable by huge fines and possible prison time. Besides that, I visit Hawaii regularly and I have never seen a LFS that compares to what we have on the mainland. They have very strong regulations on the aquarium trade. Owning coral is flat out illegal.

Jesterrace · Dec 14, 2019

Yup, I would definitely pass on any thoughts of bringing something home with you, more likely than not to end up with confiscation and possibly a fine than anything else. That and the logistics of bringing it back with you would be a pain.

juicemanatx · Dec 15, 2019

G12_aquatics said:
Hawaii has very strict laws going in and out of the state with any kind of living organisms. An average member of the public wouldn’t find it worth their while to bring back fish legally, and attempting to do so illegally is punishable by huge fines and possible prison time. Besides that, I visit Hawaii regularly and I have never seen a LFS that compares to what we have on the mainland. They have very strong regulations on the aquarium trade. Owning coral is flat out illegal.

So then no one has a reef tank in Hawaii? Bummer

juicemanatx · Dec 15, 2019

Jesterrace said:
Yup, I would definitely pass on any thoughts of bringing something home with you, more likely than not to end up with confiscation and possibly a fine than anything else. That and the logistics of bringing it back with you would be a pain.

so it’s not like the mainland when you can bring coral Frags and stuff back from conventions in your carry on cooler?

MSOEME2009 · Dec 16, 2019

They X-Ray and do another scan for plant/animals at the airport. I was just there in April. Hawaii doesn't mess around with their eco-systems.

bryanfuel · Dec 16, 2019

juicemanatx said:
So then no one has a reef tank in Hawaii? Bummer

There’s a “black market” for it between individuals. But the selections are pretty limited.

samnaz · Dec 16, 2019

juicemanatx said:
So then no one has a reef tank in Hawaii? Bummer

They all can just go scuba diving instead tho...

Jesterrace · Dec 16, 2019

juicemanatx said:
so it’s not like the mainland when you can bring coral Frags and stuff back from conventions in your carry on cooler?

I'd be willing to bet you would get slapped with a big fine for that one in Hawaii, unless the folks at the airport are asleep on the job.

Dana Riddle · Dec 16, 2019

juicemanatx said:
Hey all,

Going to Visit Kona Hawaii in April, anyone know if any LFS or Divers that maybe I can grab something cool to bring back? Is that even a thing? Can you bring fish on a plane back with you?

The local collectors don't even have signs on their facilities for fears that radical environmentalists will vandalize them. So, good luck finding one. It is not illegal to own Hawaii fishes (or other) in Hawaii. The issue will be getting them through security at Hilo/Kona/Honolulu airports. Best to check with your airline first and get their policies, and pre-approval. Bill Stockly (in Kona) retired after Petco moved in. Too bad, I bought a juvenile Chevron Tang from him for $25.