HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0482.041 2024-2026' HFIA
HAWAII FOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
1050 Bishop St. PMB 235 1
Honolulu, HI 96813
P: 808-533-1292 1 e:
info(a).hawaiifood.com
Executive Officers
Kit Okamoto, Okimoto Corp., Chair
Jayson Watts, Mahi Pono, Vice Chair
Jill Tamura, Tamura Super Market, Secretary/Treasurer
Lauren Zirbel, HFIA, Executive Director
Paul Kosasa, ABC Stores, Advisor
Derek Kurisu, KTA Superstores, Advisor
Toby Taniguchi, KTA Superstores, Advisor
Joe Carter, Coca-Cola Bottling of Hawaii, Advisor
Eddie Asato, Pint Size Hawaii, Advisor
Gary Okamoto, Safeway, Advisor
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NO 83
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TO: Committe on Environmental and Natural Resource Management
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FROM: HAWAII FOOD INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION
Lauren Zirbel, Executive Director
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DATE: September 16. 2025
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RE: Relating to Bill 83
Position: Comments
The Hawaii Food Industry Association is comprised of two hundred member companies
representing retailers, suppliers, producers, manufacturers and distributors of food and
beverage related products in the State of Hawaii.
Dear Chair Villegas, Vice Chair Kagiwada, and members of the Committee,
HFIA is concerned that, as written, this measure would negatively impact local food
manufacturers in Hawai'i County. Honolulu and Maui Counties have passed similar
legislation and have made exemptions for prepackaged foods and specified that the
measure only applies to foodware for prepared food.
Increasing localfood production, supporting ourlocal manufacturers, and diversifying and
strengthening our economy are goals we all share. For some types of prepacked food
compostable non -plastic packaging is notavailable, notfunctional, and/orcost prohibitive.
If passed as is this mandate could be detrimental to some local food manufacturers, and
would essentially prioritize imported non -Hawaii made goods over locally made products
since imported goods would not be subject to this restriction. We do not believe that is
the in tentof the measure and if the Committee passes the measure we encourage them
to include an exemption for prepackaged food.
Language from the Honolulu Disposable Food Ware Ordinance (DFWO) is below for
reference.
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We also believe that the Committee should be aware that for prepared food the types of
containers mandated in this measure are frequently several times as expensive as the
plastic equivalent. This is especially true for the types of containers needed to safely
contain food that is hot, liquid, spicy, oily, or acidic. This will increase operating costs for
local businesses that have to switch to these types of containers, and some of that cost
will need to be passed on to customers in the form of increased food prices.
We urge the committee to be aware of the potential negative impacts of this measure
when considering passage, and implementation timeline.
Thank you for the opportunity to testify.
Honolulu DFWO Definitions and Prepacked Food Exemption:
"Prepackaged food" means prepared food that is sealed, contained, or wrapped in a
mannerto protect and preventthe prepared food from having anydirect human contact,
prior to being provided for sale by a food vendorto a customer, including, butnot limited
to, bentos, kimchi, seaweed salad, takuan, tofu, pre -made sandwiches, desserts, pies,
noodles, salads, parfaits, and drinks.
'Prepared food" means food or beverages thatare prepared for consumption on oroff the
premises of a food vendor, by cooking, chopping, peeling, slicing, mixing, brewing,
freezing, squeezing, or otherwise processed at premises owned, leased, or otherwise
controlled by the food vendor; butthe term does not include raw meat, raw poultry, raw
seafood, unprepared produce and uncooked eggs. Prepared food includes restaurant
style food and beverages that are packaged after being ordered and ready to be
consumed without further preparation.
The following shall be exempt from compliance with the restrictions of Section 41-27.2:
(1) Packaging for raw meat, raw poultry, raw seafood, unprepared produce, and
u n cooked eggs; (2) Packaging for prepackaged food, sh elf stable food, and catered food;