HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 018 Draft 01 2006-2008 +tV Ci
-may ~Jj~
COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
.~.o,.M'
RESOLUTION NO. 18 06
RESOLUTION TO THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO REVISE AND
CLARIFY HAWAII REVISED STATUTES SECTION 486-120.6, RECOMMENDING
THAT ANY COFFEE LABELED "KONA COFFEE BLEND" SHALL CONTAIN A
MINIMUM OF 75% KONA COFFEE AND SHALL BE LABELED ACCORDINGLY.
WHEREAS, the Districts of North and South Kona on the Island of Hawaii produce a
premier, specialty coffee known around the world for its unique flavor and aroma; and
WHEREAS, it is critical to retain the character of this unique coffee for the economic
survival of Kona's coffee farmers; and
WHEREAS, the Kona coffee industry is largely comprised of small coffee farmers who
depend solely on their coffee harvest for their livelihood; and
WHEREAS, Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 486-120.6 enables coffee to be labeled as
"Kona Coffee Blend" when only 10% of the blend contains pure Kona Coffee; and
WHEREAS, the label "Kona Coffee Blend" often confuses consumers, who mistakenly
believe they are buying a blend of several Kona-grown coffees rather than a blend of Kona
coffee and other non-Kona coffee(s); and
WHEREAS, 10% of Kona coffee in a "Kona Coffee Blend" is insufficient to allow the
unique flavor of Kona coffee to be tasted and appreciated, and therefore damages the value of
Kona coffee and the reputation and economic interests of Kona's coffee farmers; and
WHEREAS, the Market Development Branch of the State Department of Business,
Economic Development and Tourism has stated that Kona coffee growers and marketers are
missing major opportunities for marketing in Asia, with emphasis on Mainland China (PRC) and
Taiwan, because consumers in those countries are confused by "blends" and want to be assured
that they are buying 100% Kona coffee; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that the State of Hawaii strengthen its statutory requirements
to protect the Kona Coffee Industry, with State legislation serving as a basis for Federal
legislation to protect the "Kona Coffee" name in consumer outlets on the mainland United States
• . and in foreign countries; and
WHEREAS, other States promote and encourage the geographic identity of their
homegrown products (for example, Washington Apples, Florida Oranges, Vidalia Onions, Idaho
Potatoes, and Napa Valley Wines).
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY
OF HAWAII, that it encourages and recommends that the Hawaii State Legislature amend
Hawaii Revised Statutes Section 482-120.6 to include the following provisions:
1) Allow the use of the name "Kona Coffee Blend" only in connection with
coffee packaging containing 75% or more Kona coffee by weight; and
2) Require prominent identification on any package of "Kona Coffee Blend" to
disclose, in descending order by weight, the percentage of any United States-
grown coffee and, in the case of foreign coffee, to also include the country of
origin. All identification shall be printed using print equal in size to the
largest print on the package label.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall forward certified copies of
this resolution to Mayor Harry Kim, the Hawaii County Department of Research and
Development, Governor Linda Lingle, the Hawaii State Department of Business, Economic
Development and Tourism, and all members of the Hawaii State Legislature.
Dated at Knna ,Hawaii, this 20th day of December , 2006.
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL ME ER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii Aves NOES ABS Ex
Hilo, Hawaii FORD g
HIGA g
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN g
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the IKEDA
County ofHawai`ion December 20 2006
JACOBSON g
NAEOI.F,
ATTEST: PILAGO X
YAGONG g
YOSHIMOTO
~l n_ 8 1 0 0
[",/,a_~".J~j ll/~+~k~A,... Reference: C=23/Waived HSIDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN & PRE E SOLUTION NO. 1a 06
2