Minutes—KCFA Board Meeting, March 15, 2016
In the absence of the Board Secretary, Tari Sparks volunteered to take minutes.
100% Kona coffee supplied by Colehour Bondera. Coffee for the April meeting—Kay Dixon
Consent Agenda—February Minutes/Membership Applications/Committee Reports. Chris Coleman raised a question as to the application of Robert Reed. That application was referred back to committee and will be considered at the next meeting. Kurt Schweickhard moved to accept the balance of the consent agenda. Colehour Bondera seconded. Motion was approved.
NEW BUSINESS
There was discussion of the upcoming Expo as follows:
- Ø changes in the registration form
- Ø setting up a booth for fee payments/KCFA donations
- Ø expo press releases
- Ø expo ads in newspaper
- Ø public service announcements on local radio stations
- Ø what and how handouts to visitors would be distributed
- Ø the necessity for obtaining insurance next year prior to the expo
- Ø Colehour Bondera reported that HDOA has provided $2400 to KCFA and will co-sponsor the expo
- Ø Chis Coleman will get leis for speakers at the expo
TREASURER'S REPORT
Treasurer Kurt Schweickhard provided the treasurer's report.
Ø discussion of where to get the lowest price for Botanigard
Colehour Bondera moved to accept the treasurer's report. It was seconded by Allan Wang. Motion was carried.
President Bruce Corker reported on the recent discussions in regard to Coffee Grade Standards. Much discussion ensued. Randy Phillips moved to send this issue back to the ad hoc committee. President Bruce Corker offered a proposal on KCFA's position on this issue. Randy withdrew his motion. After more discussion, Tari Sparks moved to accept the president's proposed position with agreed upon changes. Colehour Bondera seconded to motion. A vote was taken. There were 4 yea's and 4 abstentions. The motion was carried.
At the end of the meeting the Board voted to authorize an increase of the budgeted annual dues for "oriGIn" from $360 to $453
The meeting was adjourned.
Submitted by Tari Sparks
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COMMITTEE REPORTS
STANDING COMMITTEES
Branding Committee—Cea/Bruce
Aulani Disney Resort—Since December the Branding Committee has been communicating with the Aulani Disney Resort & Spa on Oahu about the concerns raised by KCFA member Kim Schneider. On a getaway to Oahu at the Aulani, Kim found in-room packages of “Kona Blend” coffee with no indication of what percentage, if any, of the contents was Kona-grown. This “Kona Blend” coffee, Kim noted, was “horrible”.
- On December 29, the Aulani’s Public Affairs Manager Nikki Moreno advised that “we are working to rectify the issue you have presented immediately.”
- On March 7, Ms. Moreno advised that the Aulani is “in the process of changing the label on the coffee offered in the room to remove the name Kona blend.”
Costco—On March 2, a letter was mailed to Costco’s Sr. VP for Marketing Services about the 2-pound packages of Victor Allen brand “Hawaiian Kona Blend” sold for $9.39 at the Madison, Wisconsin Costco store. Nothing on the label indicates to Costco customers that there is anything other than Kona-grown coffee in the packages. The letter requested Costco’s assistance in answering the following questions: Where were the coffee beans in these packages grown? What percentage—if any—of those beans are grown in Kona, Hawaii? What documentation can Victor Allen provide to Costco and to the KCFA as to the origin of the contents of this “Hawaii Kona Blend” product?
Education Committee—Colehour
Estate Committee—Christine
Finance Committee—Kurt
Origin Protection Committee—Colehour
Kamehameha Schools Liaison Committee—Suzanne/Christine
Legislative Committee—Bruce
Coffee Labeling Reforms: Neither House Bill No. 387 (introduced by South Kona Rep. Richard Creagan in 2015 and carried over to the 2016 session) nor Senate Bill No. 2519 (introduced by Sen. Russell Ruderman [Puna] in January of this year) were scheduled for hearing by the chairs of the House Agriculture Committee (Rep. Clift Tsuji, Hilo) or the Senate Water, Land & Agriculture Committee (Sen. Mike Gabbard, Oahu). Both bills would have put in place the reforms unanimously requested by the Hawaii County Council in Resolution No. 501-14—that is, 51% minimum genuine content in blends and identification on the label of the origin of foreign-grown coffee in blends.
Since the removal of Sen. Ruderman as Chair of Senate Agriculture Committee after a takeover of Senate leadership last spring, Hawaii Coffee Company and its processor allies have gained control over which coffee bills are given hearings and which are not. Clearly, these are two bills on which the Hawaii Coffee Company does not want public hearings.
Membership Committee—Donna
Active Voting Members = 254 Supporting Business Members = 19 Associate Members = 36 Total = 309
New Active Voting Members:
- Robert Reed-Holualoa-Mamalahoa Trading Company- [email protected]
- Deborah Doyle-82-6000 Coffee PL-Captain Cook-Doyle Estate-[email protected]
- Michelle Ramirez-Holualoa-Mikala Farm-[email protected]
- Kaylynne Santana-Captain Cook-Santana Farm-[email protected]
- Cyndie Maryanoff-Captain Cook-Cynthiana Farm-[email protected]
- Janelle Gomes-Holualoa- Honalo Farm- [email protected]
New Associate members:
- Mary Lou Moss - [email protected]
- Chuck Moss- [email protected]
New Members- Ad Hoc Committee - Allan
PR/Marketing—Kay/Anita
Pest & Disease— Bob Smith
Last week Entomologist Dr. Steven Wraight and wife Sandy from PBARC sampled my farm. The infestation rate on mature green and ripe coffee was determined to be 100%. Of course these will be (should be) stripped ASAP. But from this sample it appears that this season CBB infestation could be very high. It might be worthwhile to spray several times in succession approximately 1 week apart at the beginning. This is the period when CBB is most susceptible to the fungus.
I will be attending the CBB conference on March 16th.
--Task Force Representative—Kurt
A CBB Task Force Board meeting was held February 17, 2016 (Minutes attached). One of the decisions at the meeting was to go forward with a Strategic planning session which commenced on February 29, 2016.
The Agenda included some fundamental issues and questions on how and if the Task Force can continue its mission and make a valid and meaningful contribution to our Coffee Farmers.
- Originally the mission was being part of addressing and controlling the immediate threat of CBB infestation which was officially discovered in the Kona region about September 2010.
- One of the entities created (process started about end of 2012) was the Non Profit (501(c)(5)) was the CBB Task Force, intended to include representation from various Coffee associations, research entities,UH Manoa etc.to support HDOA`s efforts to mitigate or eradicate CBB through research and education.
- At this point in time one of the Tasks ($200,000 Grant) is nearing completion, but CBB is by no means under control. Indeed, additional threats to the Coffee farmers economics are either present or on the horizon, ie, Twig Borer, Coffee Rust.HDOA has expressed their support to continue this Task Force as it represents a central point of communicating with all entities of the Coffee Industry.
- It was proposed and agreed on that annual membership fees are to be reduced to $100 (pending on CBB TF board approval)
- It was also agreed that certain changes to the By-Laws should be implemented conforming with mission expansion.
- As a KCFA representative to the Task Force I fully recommend that KCFA board members consider and support this forward looking plan.
Social/Fund Raising—Judy/Tari
Website—Cea/Karen
Emailed to KCFA Members, posted to KCFA site and to KCFA Face Book 1) multiple EXPO emails and 2)March 2016 Newsletter. Up to date Member Lists sent to Volunteer Coordinator Tari Sparks. Updated KCFA Membership form with Member Chair Donna Meiners. Responded to [email protected] emails for people w/questions about Voucher Grant, asking about next Grant Workshop, and help with updating Farmer Listings, etc. General website maintenance.
Ad Hoc Committees
HDOA Grant Committee—Colehour
EXPO—Colehour/Christine/Bruce/Nancy Ginter-Miller
