KCFA Board Meeting Minutes
August 18, 2009
Call to order 4PM
Board Members present: B. Corker, K. Wood, ML. Moss, C. Bondera, M. Lake, J. Rowe, Nancy Griffith, Robert Barnes
Minutes from June meeting approved
Treasures report approved
Harold Hoogasian was present and personally gave us his report of his representation of 100% Kona coffee at the International OriGin conference. His report is already online at the KCFA website for viewing.
Bruce Corker presented a Resolution endorsing OriGIn’s “Teruel declaration” which was adopted by the board.
Education report from Colehour & Robert:
August 5th was the workshop on the topic of Coffee Theft held at Yano Hall in Captain Cook. Mitchell Roth, Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the County of Hawaii came from his Hilo office, and Officer Darren Cho of the South Kona Community Police office came from Captain Cook to discuss what to look for and how to work with coffee theft issues. Nothing scheduled for Education in coming weeks, though we are planning a workshop on Coffee Drying and Storage for September!
Events report from Mary Lou Moss:
Upcoming events:
Oct. 17 & 18 Paleaku Peace Gardens
This is an open house for the Peace Gardens and they would like KCFA farmers to give away samples of their coffee and sell their coffee. The hours for the open house are 9-4, but we would have sampling from 9-12. First come first serve basis.
Letters to possible donors for our fundraising banquet went out the second week in August. We already have several responses.
The banquet date has been changed to Nov. 15. At the King Kam hotel again.
The Cultural Festival dates are Friday, Nov. 6 thru Sunday Nov. 15.
We are working to have some coffee label shirts made. We are working with Alii Printing.
We are also working on having some inexpensive type give-aways such as key rings, pencils, pens, cup cozies. Anyone else have any ideas?
Social committee report from Kathy Wood:
8/30 BBQ 10am-5pm at 2-step, 1pm food ready and bring a dish to pass.
Joanie reports 260 members
Bruce reports on the Legislative committee as:
1—PROTECTION OF KONA COFFEE FROM GMO CONTAMINATION—The Legislative Committee continues to work with County Council member Pete Hoffmann to protect County Bill #361 from pre-emption arguments and legislative proposals being made by the GMO industry. Bill #361, passed last year, prohibits the introduction of GMO coffee in the County.
2—DECEPTIVE COFFEE LABELING—KCFA actions have led to two significant results; (1) the Kona COSTCO has now changed the shelf labeling for all 3 Hawaiian Isles products to state they are “10% Kona”; and (2) the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has determined that Hawaii Coffee Company’s use of “Gourmet Hawaiian Coffee” on packages which do not contain 100% Hawaiian coffee violates state law. We continue to seek information from HDOA on the precise scope its determination.
Cea report on the website/PR as:
Worked on website. Sent out General Member notes as requested. Did what needed to be done.
PR “Phone all members” suggestion.
Meeting adjourned 6PM
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Lake, Secretary
