KCFA Board Meeting October Minutes
Call to order by President Bruce Corker at 4pm 10/19/10.
Board Members present: Bruce Corker, Mary Lou Moss, Kathy Wood, Michelle Joven, Ray Anders, Jason Stith, Mary Lake.
Minutes from September Board Meeting approved by the board.
Debbie Donald had shirt samples at meeting to look at and check sizes for the Coffee Logo Hawaiian Shirts. 2 more spaces for logos left. These are 100% cotton.
Treasures Report - Deb Sims has asked to step out as treasurer until end of year and Karen Kemp is stepping up temporarily.
There is an ad hoc CBB task force (the origin of which is still unclear). Bob Smith is our rep.
Bob's report:
1st meeting Oct. 14th, all same people there as before: USDA; HDOA; CTAHR; processors and blenders representatives and others.
Problem: Ag. problem. What do we do? Discussion showed no one there had a good idea what to do. A fungus is discussed that is a predator to CBB. It's not cleared for coffee or Hawaii. It needs to go through all the hoops before it can be used. Bob thought all other ideas discussed were not really practical. The rest of the Islands here don't want it to come to their island. How do we keep it out? Most Kona coffee green coffee goes though Oahu. It's not determined yet what to do. Problem with State: you cannot fumigate Organic Coffee. One member felt lots of the damage is because of the drought.
Discussion with members about how prevalent it is. Many members reported they have it and it is wider spread then the officials report.
Article 6.6.4 Motion calling for ratification of resolution requesting suspension of imports of green coffee into Hawaii was adopted by email vote of the Board. The motion was passed to ratify the email vote and record the adoption of the resolution in these minutes.
Added at request of Nancy Griffith: recent coffee parchment sale problem. She is not here and so will discuss November meeting.
Committee Report:
Mary Lou. We need more contributes of coffee to sell to cruise ships. New hats coming in. Volunteer list coming around for all the events in November. Please call Mary Lou to help. Email going out to members asking for volunteers. We have $10,000 worth of donations for Banquet.
Lantern parade Nov. 5th. Need volunteers to march in parade. Bring picking stick to hold lanterns. Dress as pickers, especially wear KCFA shirts.
Membership: report deferred
Social committee: report deferred
Newsletter and Website: web report. Entered website to KC Cultural Festival. PR report sent out on Bonderas’ acceptance of Parmigiano-Reggiano Award, only Star Advertiser picked it up. Reporter is going to talk to Colehour. 2 ads in Coffee Festival publication.
Education Committee: Sean Steiman to do roasting workshop at Brewalalai.
Nov. 3, Marvin Feldman to speak at Coffee Talk on his study of economic impacts of 10% blends.
Grant Committee: report deferred
Legislative Committee: last night Govenors forum. 500 people there. Mention by Abercrombie of protection against deceptive “Hawaiian” labeling of foreign grown macadamia nuts and ginger—but no mention of deceptive coffee labeling by either candidate.
Chamber of Commerce: report deferred.
Old business: TAAF petition (trade adjustment act for farmers) for farmers adversely effected by imports. Our petition was denied by the USDA on grounds that coffee imports to the US have not increased.
Out of this application process, we have made connection with Puerto Rican 100% Coffee Board. They have gotten $300,000 worth of grants and want to work with us.
Jack in the Box in Hawaii is selling Hawaiian Paradise Coffee “Kona Blend" without identifying the 10% of Kona. Similar to the deceptive use of the name “Kona” on the Mainland where “Kona Classic Coffee” is served and described as “made with real Kona coffee”. We need to consider what steps to take.
New business:
CBB. Ray sent out summary on CBB. Didn't get much response. Idea, we as an assoc. should take the opportunity to address it more directly. Most information on CBB is located outside of Hawaii. We need to pull together needed information. Wants to ask legislature for $500,000 for CBB task forse. Discussion followed. Legislation has never funded anything for the kona coffee farmers. Colombia has website with lots of information on CBB, in Spanish--needs to be translated. We need someone in our organization to spend the time to talk to people in legislation. The further south of Kona you go the worse the infestation is.
Suggested by Bruce that Ray or someone can come up with a proposal to send to the legislators. Ray wants to send out press release. Bruce is asking for someone to step up to work on this project.
Colehour asks we donate coffee- will talk about when he return.
Colehour Bondera has been appointed to 5 year term of National Organic Standards Board. Important to all coffee farmers both organic and non-organic. Congrats to Colehour.
Colehour and family are in northern Italy to participate in Slow Food/Salon Del Gusto meetings. Press release came out last night that Kona Coffee is receiving an award. This is a big deal in Europe. It's important to continue to promote 100% Kona coffee and this helps.
Meeting adjourned at 6pm
Minutes respectfully submitted by member Christy Carrico
