HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 417 Draft 01 2006-2008 rr os
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COUNTY OF HAWAII STATE OF HAWAII
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RESOLUTION NO. 4a`'7
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO
SCHEDULE COMMITTEE HEARINGS, GIVE FLOOR CONSIDERATION AND
ADOPT INTO LAW THE PROVISIONS OF HOUSE BILL 72 AND SENATE BILL 661
TO PROVIDE TRUTH-IN-LABELING FOR KONA COFFEE.
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2006 the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution No.
18-06 requesting the Hawaii State Legislature to revise and clarify HRS 486-120.6 and
recommend that any coffee labeled "Kona Coffee Blend" shall have a minimum 75% Kona
Coffee and should be labeled accordingly; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2007, a bill incorporating the recommendations of Hawaii
County Council Resolution Na. 18-06 was introduced in the State House of Representatives
(House Bill No. 72) and on January 19, 2007, an identical bill was introduced in the State Senate
(Senate Bi11661); and
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2006 the Hawaii State Democratic Party adopted a resolution
recommending truth-in labeling measures for Kona Coffee; and
WHEREAS in January 2007 the Hawaii State Democratic Party made House Bi1172
and Senate Bill 661 part of the Party's legislative package; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2007, the Hawaii State Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent
Resolution No. 102 in which the Legislature made factual findings that:
1. Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes Consumer Fraud;
2. Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee degrades the "Kona coffee" name; and
3. Confusion as to the difference between Kona coffee blends and Kona coffee caused
Consumer Reports magazine to rate Kona coffee as "second rate"; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that the Hawaii State Legislature act immediately to stop the
consumer fraud, deception and confusion that is now being caused by existing labeling
requirements for Kona coffee; and
WHEREAS, immediate legislative action is necessary to protect Kona coffee's reputation as
a premier specialty coffee from further degradation; and
WHEREAS, House Bi1172 and Senate Bi11661 remain on the legislative docket for
legislative consideration in the 20081egislative session; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY TAE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF AAWAI`I that the
Hawaii State Legislature is requested to schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration
and adopt into law the provisions of House Bi1172 and Senate Bi11661 to provide truth-in-
labeling for Kona Coffee; and
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED, that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to Mayor Harry Kim, the Hawaii County Department of Reseazch 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 Kona , Hawaii, this 20th day of November , 2007.
INTRODUCED BY:
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COUNCIL MEM ER, COUNTY OF H AI`
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
COllrlty Of H3Wa1`1 AYES NOES A6S EX
Hilo, Hawaii FORD x
HIGA }I
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by HOFFMANN x
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the IKEDA
County ofHawai`ion NOVember 20. 2007
JACOIISON x
NAEOLE x
ATTEST: PILAGO g
YAGONG x
_ YOSHIMOTO
8 0 1 0
, ~~f~,,n-ti/ t..= ~ _ - ~ Reference: C-799 Waived PNTIRC
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COUNTY CLERK CHAIRMAN SIDIN~FFICER RESOLUTION NO. 41
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