Aloha Barbara! James is right. You'd have to pull your boots up pretty high to wade through what they're shoveling. I've been collecting Haw'n shells since I was 4yr old along tidepools & beaches. Started a mail order Haw'n shell business in 1976 & it's still going strong to this day. Haw'n shells are not commonly found as Philippine or Australian shells, but when I go diving it's not IF I find any Haw'n shells but how many im throwing back at the end of the day. Of course we have some super rarities like Strombus hawaiensis, Distorsio burgessi, Harpa goodwini, Cypraea ostergaardi, etc but Haw'n shells aren't as rare or unavailable as you were told. I make my living selling Hawaiian & Worldwide seashells so I think im qualified to make this statement. Sounds like a ploy to get more money out of you. Mahalo! Chris Takahashi