Hawaii fur ban passes State House, now moving through Senate

State legislation to ban the sale and manufacture of fur in Hawaii has passed its third and final reading in the House of Representatives and its first reading in the Senate. Sponsored by Representative Gregg Takayama, and supported by animal protection organization Animal Defenders International (ADI), HB1689 now heads to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Health, and the Senate Committee on Judiciary/Ways and Means.

ADI President Jan Creamer said: “We are pleased to see this legislation move forward and hope that Hawaiians will speak out against this cruel trade, and urge their Senators to back a fur ban across the state.”

With two companion bills (SB1350 and SB2753) currently in the Senate, Hawaii could soon become the second US state, after California, with a statewide fur ban. Globally at least 18 countries have passed laws that prohibit or restrict the farming of animals for their fur.

Worldwide every year, more than 110 million animals are killed on fur farms, with over 16 million trapped in the wild for their fur. Intensively farmed in barren, cramped, filthy conditions, animals reared and killed for their fur are deprived of their natural lives. The lifelong stress, deprivation, and extreme confinement cause both psychological and physical harm.

ADI’s investigation of a fur farm in Poland, one of Europe’s largest producers and exporter to the US, captures a rare insight into the industry. The short film “A Lifetime” documents the lives of two sibling foxes who were born, lived, and then killed at the farm when they were just seven months old; while “Never Humane” demolishes fur industry claims that killing is quick, efficient, and humane.

Reflecting consistent and growing public opposition to the brutal fur trade, many designers, fashion brands and retailers have fur free policies in place, including Burberry, Gucci, and Michael Kors.