I recently spent some time with a couple of guys from New Zealand. First time in the US, me and coworker got to show them around Seattle by boat. It was a really good time.
Somehow the topic of paua abalone came up and their only real response was that it was delicous. Hmmm. When I asked about the shell they said they just toss them.... WHAT?... Can this be right? Bummer I guess. Anyway, then they told me about this Paua House that is lined almost completely inside with paua shells. I looked it up online and it's pretty cool. The original owners unfortunately have recenly died and their grandson took all the shells down even though the house had become a landmark. Check out the house
HERE and a couple more pics
HERE (push the arrow), and a quick blurb about how they are going to build a replica
HERE.
I thought it was pretty neat anyway. That is a lot of paua!!
Here is Fred and Myrtle