The Hawaiian Malacological Society no longer has a world-wide membership
that peaked to almost 1700 to receive its monthly magazine, Hawaiian Shell
News.  When the HSN stopped due to printing costs exceeding dues, there was
little reason for members outside Honolulu to be members. We have about 30
people at monthly meetings 12 times a year and about a third are on the
board of directors.  There are new people at many meetings. A few people
bring their children, who are too young for the we have.   Members are
adults with new members being added to those that move away from Hawaii.
There has usually been a good percentage of military or retired military in
the club that are divers.

The general public opinion being generated  that all shell collecting is bad
for the environment (except, of course, for food and causing major damage)
undoubtedly reduces potential membership.  Many clubs suffer from lack of
members to do the things that enable clubs to exist and clubs close down
when those few who do the work tire of it.  Usually a very few do almost all
the work.  Writers for publications are very limited.
Wesley Thorsson

New Email:  [log in to unmask]
IHSN URL
http://s190418054.onlinehome.us/index.html
All IHSN and HSN Issues from 1960 to date are linked as well as IHSN and HSN
references and indices

Wesley Thorsson
122 Waialeale St.
Honolulu  HI  96825-2020

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