Hawaii gift store owner admits ivory, coral smuggling

HONOLULU (AP) — The owner of a Hawaii jewelry and gift retail business pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal conspiracy charge, admitting he smuggled Alaska ivory to the Philippines, where they were carved into fish hooks then shipped back and passed off as made in Hawaii by local artisans.

Authorities say Curtis Wilmington purchased raw walrus tusks and whale teeth from an undercover agent from Alaska and smuggled black coral from Mexico to Hawaii.

According to court documents, Wilmington and others in his company, Hawaiian Accessories, Inc., removed the "made in the Philippines" labels once the ivory returned to Hawaii as fish hooks.

"Having backgrounds in the travel industry, Leslie and Curtis realized the need for authentic Hawaiian gifts and created a high quality line of products that perfectly suited the visitor market," the site says.