HomeMy WebLinkAboutREP GOREDC 017 2021/10/19 (2020-2022) REPORT OF THE
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,
RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
DATE: October 19, 2021 Re: Comm. No. 421/Res. No. 223-21
PLACE: Council Chambers
Kailua-Kona, Hawai i
TIME: 10:31 a.m.
Council Chair and Members
Hawaii County Council
Hilo, Hawaii 96720
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations, and Economic Development,to which
was referred Resolution No. 223-21, reports as follows:
Resolution No. 223-21, transmitted via Communication No. 421 dated September 29, 2021 and
introduced by Council Member Holeka Inaba, urges the State of Hawaii Legislature to amend
coffee labeling requirements for blends of geographically named Hawai i-grown coffee.
The resolution seeks amendments to State law to increase the minimum amount of
Hawai i-grown coffee from 10 to 51 percent and to identify the geographic origin and
corresponding percentage of coffee grown outside of Hawaii in blended coffees labeled as
Hawai`i-grown.
Mr. Inaba introduced the resolution by stating that it is important for the Council to take this
stance to support our coffee farmers, protect the Hawaii coffee brand and encourage the State
to take action on this issue. Several Council Members thanked Mr. Inaba for producing a
well-written resolution.
Council Chair Maile David emphasized the difficulties most local, family coffee growers have
had due to lack of"truth in advertising" and expressed her desire to see the percentage go higher
than the minimum 51% included in this resolution.
Council Member Tim Richards stated that farming should not be a hobby but a profession that
needs the Council's support.
Mr. Inaba acknowledged that the 51% is an incremental step that is necessary to get legislation
passed at the state level. He thanked his Legislative Assistant Wendy Baez and the coffee
farmers for their help crafting the resolution.
Committee Chair Heather Kimball gave her full support for the measure and emphasized the
importance of expanding the Hawaii brand protection to other products in the future.
GOREDC Report No.: 17
GOREDC-17 Page 2 October 19,2021
The vote was taken on the motion to move this measure to Council with a favorable
recommendation passed unanimously with nine "ayes."
Your Committee on Governmental Operations, Relations and Economic Development is in
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accord with the purpose and intent of Resolution No. 223-21, and recommends its adoption.
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AYES NOES ABS Ex Respectfully submitted,
CHUNG x
DAVID x COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL
INABA x OPERATIONS, RELATIONS, AND
"NEALI`I-KLEINFELDER x ECONOMZLkIMBALL,
VELOPMENT
KIERKIEWICZ x
KIMBALL x
LEE LOY x H ATHER CHAIR
RICHARDS x GOREDC REPORT NO.: 17
VILLEGAS x ADOPTED: OV 0 3 2021