âBest Agricultural Newsletter in Hawaiiâ
Newsletter of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association
April 2019
PO Box 5436 Kailua Kona Hawaii 96745 USA
www.konacoffeefarmers.org info@konacoffeefarmers.org
Contents
Editorial â the Kona Coffee Lawsuit
Blockchain Based Marketplace for Coffee
Time to Consider Spraying for CBB
Legislative Update
2019 EXPO Wrap Up
Drones for Detecting Coffee Rust Disease
Coffee â The Revolutionary Beverage
You are Invited to KCFA Board Meetings
DoA Funds available for Food Safety Modernization
Export Contracts Seminar
Coffee on Toast for Breakfast?
Salute to Business Member, RHS Distillery
Editor – Clare Wilson
Editorial â Thoughts on the Kona Coffee Lawsuit
Aloha Members! Today, I had a very unusual farm tour. The two lead lawyers on the Kona coffee counterfeiting lawsuit (very slow to download) dropped in to have a conversation. Paul and Nathan, from the law firm of Karr Tuttle Campbell, patiently answered my dozens of questions. Iâm going to relay some of the answers here, and they promised to get back to KCFA soon, with a list of FAQS as well.
I am not a named plaintiff in this suit, but because it is a class action, ultimately, we are all plaintiffs. Should they win or settle the case against the defendants, we all will have the option to opt in to the lawsuit. They feel their case is very strong, and the science is indisputable. The lawsuit targeted only those roasters who showed almost zero probability of any Kona in the bag. In other words, blenders are not on trial. Only 100% counterfeit coffee.
Under the Lanham Act, there will be three âbucketsâ of money. The first bucket will be damages, where the defendants must return the profits that were illicitly made. The second bucket is the lost profits to the farmers through harm to our brand by consumers drinking bad coffee. The third bucket is a requirement to post corrective advertising on behalf of Kona farmers to restore our brand name. This is a simplified version of the buckets, of course, and there will be economists brought in to determine how any money would be shared amongst the growers, if that point is reached.
Iâve heard some comments in the community about how this lawsuit could crash the market value for Kona. It is more likely that: our very small 100%-real crop could suddenly see skyrocketing demand. Time will tell. What I do believe is that our coffee industry needs to find a way to certify to the honest brokers that our product is real. Itâs time to look at alternatives to the âold wayâ of certifying coffee through the HDOA. We need farmer-to-consumer traceability throughout the supply chain. India is moving this way, through blockchain verification and a digital marketplace that growers control (see below). So is Montana grass-fed beef. Perhaps itâs some other third-party certification method. Regardless, as an industry, we need to change the dynamic or risk repeating this lawsuit yet again in a few years.
Aloha,
Suzanne Shriner, KCFA President
Blockchain Based Marketplace Activated in India
This technology has important benefits for coffee producers and coffee buyers.
From Communicaffee: “Dr.Wadhawan said that the blockchain will also reduce the number of layers between coffee growers and buyers and help farmers double their income…”
“…Blockchain based market place app for trading of Indian coffees is intended to bring in transparency in the trade of Indian coffee, maintain the traceability of Indian coffee from bean to cup so as the consumer tastes real Indian coffee and the grower is paid fairly for his coffee produced…”
https://www.comunicaffe.com/coffee-board-activates-blockchain-based-marketplace-in-india/
From Perfect Daily Grind: âThere is great potential for blockchain to improve the lives of coffee producers. Farmers could see the price of their coffee at every stage and potentially connect with buyers through blockchain-based platforms. This allows farmers to be better informed in their negotiations and more knowledgeable about the market.â https://www.perfectdailygrind.com/2018/11/blockchain-coffee-no-you-dont-need-bitcoin/
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
Time to Consider Spraying for CBB
On Kona makai farms, it’s likely been 90 days or more since the first flowering. If you were “lucky” enough to get the October random flowering event, then you may also have semi-mature beans on the trees. Now is the time to walk out into your farm and see if CBB are present in your beans.
Remember, effective management can be had with a minimum amount of effort. While there are many activities that could burn your time and money, it all comes down to two key items: proper sanitation (post-harvest stripping)Timing of Beauveria (Botanigard/Mycotrol) sprays.
For the first sprays, scientists at PBARC recommend early back-to-back knockdown sprays within a couple of weeks of each other. This should greatly reduce the population of live beetle in your trees. Going forward, you should be looking at your trees on a regular basis to determine if you have heavy or light levels of CBB in the A/B position. Focus your sprays between now and August 1, when most CBB have moved into the C/D position and cannot be killed. More is always not better! With effective sanitation and regular monitoring of beetle positioning, it’s possible to spray four times or less while maintaining single-digit infestation levels.
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Legislative Update
The 2019 Session of the Hawaii Legislature is now well beyond the half way point. Here is an update on 4 coffee-related bills:
HB144â51% Minimum and Origin Identification for Blends.
This bill was drafted by Rep. Richard Creagan at the request of KCFA and introduced by 15 House members. The bill was favorably passed by 2 House committees and the full House, then sent to the Senate.
However, here is what happened in the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee: HB144 was GUTTED AND REPLACED with a 3-year delay for a âstudyâ and âtask force reviewâ. Just what the Blenders wanted.
The Senateâs âdelayâ bill next went to a second hearing on April 2 before the Senate CPH and WAM Committees. The overwhelming number of written testimonies for the April 2 hearing–from KCFA members, Kona coffee supporters, consumer advocate groups and others–asked the Committees to remove the “3-year delay” provision and to restore the Houseâs 51% minimum requirement. The Senate committee, however, declined to restore the 51% provision and killed the bill by voting for a deferral.
This year, coffee labeling reform made it farther through the Legislature than ever before. We will be back next year.
HB143âDisclosure of Percentages in Ready-To-Drink Coffee Products.
This bill was introduced at KCFAâs request to address the fact that some RTD marketers are using Hawaii origin names (âHawaiian Kona Premium Coffeeâ and âKona Red Kona Blendâ) without disclosing how much, if any, of the coffee in the package is from Hawaii-grown beans. The bill was favorably passed by the House Agriculture Committee, but died when the House Consumer Protection & Commerce Committee failed to schedule a hearing.
SB895âFalse Labeling of Geographic Origin
This bill makes it a crime to falsely label Hawaii-grown roasted coffee with regard to geographic originâfor example, if the label says 100% Kona, the package must contain 100% Kona-grown coffee. SB895 has passed through the Senate and one House committee and has been assigned to the CPC/ JUD Committees for further consideration.
SB869âMandatory Inspection and Certification
This bill was introduced by the Hawaii Coffee Association. It was amended and then passed by the Senate Agriculture & Environment Committee, but died when the Senate CPH Committee refused to give the bill a hearing.
—Submitted by the Legislative Committee
2019 EXPO Wrap Up
Thank you to everyone for making this yearâs KCFA coffee EXPO a success. We had almost 400 people learn about coffee, participate in workshops and contests, and enjoy great music. It takes many volunteer hours and hard work to make this event a success. Most of all it takes great people. Mahalo everyone and we hope to see you next year.
We would like to thank our sponsors the County and State of Hawaiâi, Community Federal Credit Union, Hala Tree, and Ashe Industries.
Thanks to the many vendors who were there to answer questions and provide valuable information. They included Hawaii Community Federal Credit Union, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Tallus Capital Advisors, UH-CTHAR Extension Cooperative, CBB Subsidy Program HDOA, West Hawaii Small Business Development Center, West Hawaii Master Gardener Association, USDA Natural Resources Conversation Services, Norwex, Pacific Blue Catchment, USDA Farm Services Agency, ASHE Industries LLC, Complete Art Service Hawaii, The Ant Lab, The Kohala Center, Pacific Coffee Research, Kona Soil & Water Conservation District, Nutrien Ag Solutions, Copy Post Plus, Kona Red/Bay View Farm, Made in the Shade Hawaii, Funny Girl Arts, Captain Cook Trading Co., Simplot Partners, and FarmWorks Hawaii.
–Submitted by Karen Zulkowski
Drone Technology for Coffee Rust Disease
MILAN â Drone technology could help prevent the spread of the coffee rust, one of the most devastating fungal diseases for the plant that can wipe out vast swathes of crops or even entire plantations. A team of UK scientists are testing this technology in the coffee growing areas of Thailand.
âThe benefit of using drones is that they are non-invasive and do not damage the product, but also they are able to get a much more comprehensive view from the air than any farmer can from the ground so we hope the drones will be able to spot the disease early enough before it wipes out the crop entirely,â said the project lead Dr Oliver Windram, of Imperial College London.
https://www.comunicaffe.com/uk-scientists-test-drone-technology-to-save-coffee-plants-from-rust-disease/
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
Coffee â The Revolutionary Beverage
Following the Boston Tea Party (December 16, 1773) many Americans considered tea drinking to be unpatriotic. Tea drinking declined during and after the Revolution, with the result being a shift to coffee as Americansâ preferred hot drink.
An interesting view of the patriotic shift to coffee is provided by the following passage from John Adamsâ letter of July 6, 1774, to his wife Abigail:
âI believe I forgot to tell you one Anecdote: When I first came to this House it was late in the Afternoon, and I had ridden 35 miles at least. âMadamâ said I to Mrs. Huston, âis it lawfull for a weary Traveller to refresh himself with a Dish of Tea provided it has been honestly smuggled, or paid no Duties?â âNo sir, said she, we have renounced all Tea in this Place. I cant make Tea, but I’le make you Coffee.â Accordingly I have drank Coffee every Afternoon since, and have borne it very well. Tea must be universally renounced. I must be weaned, and the sooner, the better.â
See Wikipedia entry for the Boston Tea Party.
—Submitted by Bruce Corker
You Are Invited to KCFA Board Meetings
KCFA members are invited to attend KCFA Board of Directors meetings as observers. The meetings usually last an hour and a half, or lessâand will provide a chance to learn more about the activities of your hard-working Association. Afterwards you will have a chance to meet and speak with Board members.
The next Board meeting is Monday, April 15, 2:30 pm at Yano Hall, 82-6156 Mamalahoa Highway in Captain Cookâacross from the Manago Hotel.
âInvitation on behalf of the KCFA Board of Directors
Dept of Ag Funds Available for Food Safety Modernization
Aloha,
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture has funds available to provide assistance to farmers or ranchers in meeting costs of complying with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Food Safety Modernization Act (FSMA), FDA regulations and state food safety laws. Applicants may be eligible to receive a maximum of up to $5,000 of funding, issued on a proârata basis. We believe that it would be very advantageous for farmers and ranchers to apply!
For more information on this opportunity or to apply please visit the link here. Also, feel free to call or email me for any additional information. Have a great day!
Mahalo!
Anissa Estrella- 808-832-0700
1851 Auiki St.-Honolulu, HI 96819
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Contracts for Exporters
HPEC is presenting an export seminar.
If you plan to be an exporter, you need to understand and embrace the use of export-related contracts.
Overview of the kinds of contracts involved in exporting
Why have a contract?
Basic parts of a contract
Contracts across cultures/languages: China & Japan
Deep dive of Distribution Contracts and Agent Contracts
April 18, 2019; 9:00 to 11:00
Foreign Trade Zone #9, Pier 2
521 Ala Moana Blvd; Honolulu
Homer Maxey Bldg; Conference Room 2F
Register Online now â space is limited
Attend in Person
Attend Via Webinar
–Submitted by Suzanne Shriner
Coffee Grounds on Toast???
Culinary Trends:Coffee Grounds on Toast â move over avocado toast, 66 percent of the trendiest chefs note that spreading raw third wave coffee grounds on toast will be the next millennial obsession.
https://www.comunicaffe.com/coffee-grounds-on-toast-are-a-leading-culinary-trend-for-2019/
Editorâs note: I was a little skeptical about this â canât imagine enjoying the texture of coffee grounds on toast; so I did a little searching and found this from 2016:
Stale Bread and Coffee Grinds Dictate My Menu â MUNCHIES
–Submitted by Cecelia Smith
Salute to KCFA Business Member RHS Distillery
Royal Hawaiian Spirits is a small batch distillery located in Honolulu-Kalihi. They produce an amazing array of spirits and liqueurs, most of them using local products. Check out their website at www.alohadistillery.com
âOur mission is to offer our consumers locally produced, made with Aloha, thoughtfully crafted spirits using the highest quality ingredients available and transfer them in to unique affordable luxury liquors and distilled spirits, supporting Hawaii Farmers and Businesses.â
Please support our KCFA business members!
Recipes Wanted! If any of you have coffee recipes that you would like to share, please submit them to the editor: clare@huahuafarm.com
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK! >> Write to us. We welcome Letters to the Editor up to 150 words. We reserve the right to edit for clarity and length. Include your name and email address >> Email: info@KonaCoffeeFarmers.org with SUBJECT: Commentary.