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HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 223 Draft 01 2020-2022 A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAI‘I STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND COFFEE LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR BLENDS OF GEOGRAPHICALLY NAMED HAWAI‘I-GROWN COFFEE. WHEREAS, Hawai‘i-grown coffee is known throughout the world as a premier, specialty coffee that is recognized for its unique aroma and rich flavor; and WHEREAS, coffee has been grown in Hawai‘i for over 200 years, commercially established predominantly on Hawai‘i Island for approximately 185 years, and due to its fine reputation, has become a valuable commodity with an annual production value of over $48 million dollars in the State; and WHEREAS, although Hawai‘i regulates the use of geographic names, such as Kona, Ka‘ū and Hāmākua on labels of its Hawai‘i-grown coffee products, Hawai‘i Revised Statutes section 486-120.6 allows blends that include as little as 10% of coffee from a particular Hawai‘i region to be labeled Kona Coffee Blend, Ka‘ū Coffee Blend, or Hāmākua Coffee Blend; and WHEREAS, labeling coffee blends that are composed of as much as 90% of coffee grown outside of Hawai‘i as a Hawai‘i-grown blend deceives consumers, often results in a product of lesser quality, and according to a study published by Marvin Feldman, a San Francisco-based resource economist, caused Kona coffee farmers to lose $14.4 million dollars in revenue per year as of 2010, an annual loss of more than $20,000 for the average Kona coffee farm; and WHEREAS, to protect the Hawai‘i-grown coffee brand, labeling requirements for Hawai‘i-grown coffee blends should be amended to require that they contain a minimum of 51% of any Hawai‘i-grown coffee named on the label, and require that the remaining 49% of its contents be geographically identified as to its origin and percentage of coffee from each origin contained therein; and WHEREAS, past efforts made to protect the Hawai‘i-grown brand through the adoption of provisions for truthful labeling of Hawai‘i-grown coffee have failed due to fierce opposition from “coffee blender” entities motivated by their desire to advance their own economic benefit at the expense of Hawai‘i's coffee industry and local coffee farmers; and WHEREAS, it is the duty of Hawaiʻi lawmakers to protect the Hawai‘i-grown brand and support the coffee industry and coffee farmers at the County and State level; now therefore, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I that the Hawai‘i State Legislature is urged to pass legislation to amend the minimum percentage requirement for blends of geographically named Hawai‘i-grown coffee from 10% to 51%, and that the remaining 49% of its contents be geographically identified as to origin and percentage of coffee, from each origin contained therein. BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the passing of legislation regarding the labeling requirements for Hawai‘i-grown coffee blends is urgent and crucial to the farming community and to the economic recovery and growth of our Island. BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this resolution to the Honorable Governor David Y. Ige, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Josh Green, the Honorable Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, the Honorable Representative Jeanne Kapela, the Honorable Representative Nicole E. Lowen, the Honorable Representative David A. Tarnas, the Honorable Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, the Honorable Representative Mark M. Nakashima, the Honorable Representative Richard H. K. Onishi, the Honorable Senator Joy A. San Buenaventura, the Honorable Representative Chris Todd, the Honorable Senator Laura Acasio, and the Honorable Representative Greggor Ilagan. Dated at _____________, Hawai‘i, this ______ day of ___________________, 20___. INTRODUCED BY: _______________________________________ COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAI‘I COUNTY COUNCIL County of Hawai‘i Hilo, Hawai‘i ROLL CALL VOTE    AYES NOES ABS EX   CHUNG       DAVID       I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the County of Hawai‘i on _____________________________________. INABA       KĀNEALI‘I-KLEINFELDER       KIERKIEWICZ       KIMBALL      ATTEST: LEE LOY       RICHARDS       VILLEGAS              Reference:  COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO.