HomeMy WebLinkAboutRES 501 Draft 01 2012-2014COUNTY OF HAWAII
STATE OF HAWAII
RESOLUTION NO. 501 14
A RESOLUTION REQUESTING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO ADOPT
PROVISIONS FOR TRUTH -IN -LABELING FOR HAWAII -GROWN COFFEES.
WHEREAS, on May 26, 2006, the Hawaii State Democratic Party adopted a resolution
recommending truth -in -labeling measures for Kona coffee; and
WHEREAS, on December 20, 2006, the Hawaii County Council adopted Resolution
No. 18-06 requesting the Hawaii State Legislature to revise and clarify Hawaii Revised Statutes
Section 486-120.6 and recommend that any coffee labeled "Kona Coffee Blend" shall have a
minimum of 75% Kona coffee and shall be labeled accordingly; and
WHEREAS, on January 18, 2007, House Bill No. 72, which incorporated the
recommendations of Resolution No. 18-06, was introduced in the State House of Representatives,
and on January 19, 2007, an identical bill (Senate Bill No. 66 1) was introduced in the State
Senate; and
WHEREAS, in January 2007, the Hawaii State Democratic Party made House Bill No.
72 and Senate Bill No. 661 part of the Party's legislative package; and
WHEREAS, on April 27, 2007, the Hawaii State Legislature adopted Senate Concurrent
Resolution No. 102, SDI, HDI, which stated, in part, the following:
1. Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee causes consumer fraud.
2. Existing labeling requirements for Kona coffee degrades the "Kona coffee" name.
3. Confusion as to the difference between Kona coffee and Kona coffee blends caused
Consumer Reports magazine to rate Kona coffee as "second rate"; and
WHEREAS, on May 3, 2014, the Hawaii County Democratic Party Convention adopted
Resolution No. 12 requiring a minimum of 51 % Kona -grown coffee in any coffee package
labeled as a "Kona Blend" and prominent identification on the label stating the country or region
of origin of the non -Kona portion; and
WHEREAS, nowhere on the labels of 10% Kona coffee blends are consumers advised
that 90% of the coffee in the packages is imported, foreign -grown coffee; and
WHEREAS, the Hawaii State Legislature has not protected the regional coffees grown
in the State of Hawaii — the only state in the United States capable of growing coffee for
commercial purposes; and
WHEREAS, it is essential that the Hawaii State Legislature act immediately to stop the
consumer fraud, deception, and confusion that continues due to existing labeling requirements
for Hawaii -grown coffees of any region or district; and
WHEREAS, immediate legislative action is necessary to protect the reputation of
Hawaii -grown coffees as premier, specialty coffees from further degradation; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAII that the
Hawaii State Legislature is requested to schedule committee hearings, give floor consideration,
and adopt into law provisions for truth -in -labeling for Hawaii -grown coffees.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Clerk shall forward copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Mayor William P. Kenoi, the Hawaii County Department of
Research and Development, the Honorable Governor Neil S. Abercrombie, the Hawaii State
Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and all members of the Hawaii
State Senate and House of Representatives.
Dated at , Hawai`i, this
COUNTY COUNCIL
County of Hawaii
Hilo, Hawaii
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
County of Hawaii on
ATTEST:
day of
INTRODUCED BY:
COUNCIL MEMB9R, COUNTY OF HAWAII
ROLL CALL VOTE
AYES NOES ABS EX
EOFF
FORD
ILAGAN
KANUHA
KERN
ONISHI
POINDEXTER
WILLE
YOSHIMOTO
Reference:
C-998/AWESC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 501 14
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