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