< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire
The 2022 legislative session mandated an economic impact study of the 10% blend law on Kona and other Hawaiian coffee farmers. Will you support the prompt completion of that study and a thorough airing of its contents? Will you support reform of Hawaii’s 10% blend law? And what will you pledge to do to support the change?
Duke Aiona: Hawaii Governor
Yes, I will support prompt completion of the EIS of the 10% blend law on Kona. At this point in time, however, it is premature to make a commitment to any reform on the 10% mandate until we have had a chance to review and discuss the results of the study. That being said, the completion of study and analysis of its contents in regards to potential policy reform should be done as soon as possible.
Vicky Cayetano: Hawaii Governor
Yes, I support the prompt and timely completion of the economic impact study and a thorough airing of its contents. I do agree that laws regarding the use of Hawaii place names on coffee packaging must be strengthened. We must protect our brand equity and I understand that the value that labeling brings to unique products. I need to know more in order to make a pledge on what specifically I would do to support the change.
Josh Green: Hawaii Governor
I will support the study and have fought over the years to increase the % of Kona Coffee in blends as Kona’s State Rep and Senator. I want the change.
Kaialiʻi Kahele: Hawaii Governor
I strongly support Hawaii’s coffee industry. On Hawaii Island, coffee farms constitute a significant backbone of rural communities. As in yesteryears, coffee continues to be a key financial source for generating revenue to sustain rural families. Coffee has helped farmers to provide their children with educational opportunities and safe, secure homes for their families and loved ones. Along the way in West Hawaii, the Kona typica evolved from its Guatemalan cousin, and the Kona coffee growers created a world-renown coffee that has withstood the challenges of a global coffee industry. Opponents of a coffee percentage increase believe that current labeling provides sufficient information about blend content. In addition opponents say that it would be harder to create blends according to company market brands and that decisions should be left to coffee growers and other stakeholders. These arguments do not address the fundamental issue — Truth in Labeling. If one markets coffee grown in Kona, then it should be prominently labeled as such and not obscured with smaller lettering indicating a 10% Kona coffee blend. Further, the Kona Brand is gold and should be treated as such. In many parts of the world, a product can only be called a certain name if growing in the region. Idaho potatoes, French Champagne, and Vermont Maple Syrup are three examples. I support the 51% coffee language included in House Bill 1517. As you know, the language was gutted and replaced with text calling for a study of the economic impacts that the proposed changes would have on the industry. As Governor, I will support the economic impact study assigned to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA).
Keith Amemiya: Hawaii Lt. Governor
I support the prompt completion of the study with particular interest in the economic impacts of the earlier-proposed scaled increases in minimum blend percentages. I do believe that higher costs associated with reform of our 10% blend law honor the valuable work our local farmers put into their products and reputations. Hawaiʻi continues to possess one of the most marketable identities in the form of its various locally grown and produced products. I will propose to the Governor that my office be permitted to work with the Department of Agriculture in ensuring prompt completion of the study, transparency in the publication of its results, and will advocate for the inclusion of our local coffee farmers in any proposed reform bills.
Ikaika Anderson: Hawaii Lt. Governor
As Lt. Governor, I will support the completion of this and any study that will give policymakers the ability to put forward solid policies for the strength and health of Kona Coffee and any other agricultural product that is made in Hawai‘i. Once the study is done and made public, my office will look at the findings and determine the best course of action to promote or support any reform that would be meaningful to the Kona Coffee industry.
Sylvia Luke: Hawaii Lt. Governor
Yes, in fact, I supported the original language of House Bill 1517 which required 51% of the coffee blend to be from the location that the label reflects and I will continue to advocate for this approach. Until then, I support this study as establishing some critical foundations to protecting the Kona coffee “brand.” House Bill 1517 was referred to House Finance, and as the Chair of the committee I heard it, recommended its passage, and was glad to see it pass conference committee and pass final reading. As the report is due to the legislature in December of 2023, if I am Lt. Governor, I will work with the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to ensure that they consult with your association as required under the bill, and will also work with DOA to ensure that they finalize the report on time. Timing will be important in the event that there is legislation that should be introduced and considered for the 2024 legislative session.
Seaula Jr. Tupa’i: Hawaii Lt. Governor
If elected, I will do everything in my power to support the best interest of the People of Hawaii. Especially those who are the closest to our economic stability: our farmers. I absolutely support promptly completing that study and airing it's contents. I believe that the people have a right to know what information is being shared and decisions are being made from that information. I believe the people deserve full transparence. I also fully support a reform to Hawaii's 10% blend law. Coffee is the second largest crop in our state. During the 2019-2020 season, Hawaii's unroasted coffee was valued at $102.91 million dollars. We know that the 10% law leads to misleading labeling by big corporations and damages the economic interests of our local coffee farmers. We need legislation that prioritizes and benefits our local coffee farmers. Our plans are to create and enforce laws that require full, clear disclosure on the labels of coffee blends; especially from foreign imports. We also plan to create laws that restrict the usage of Hawaii's geographic labeling/advertising if less than 51% of the coffee (by weight) is not of Hawaiian origin. We want prioritize our local farmers and ensure that they see the rewards for their labor.
David Tarnas: Hawaii State House District 8
I will support the prompt completion of the economic impact study of the 10% blend law on Kona and other Hawaiian coffee farmers. Once the study is released, I will share its results with constituents, especially those in coffee farming and other production agriculture. I will continue to support reform of the statutes relating to the 10% blend for Kona coffee so that we better protect Kona coffee farmers. I have demonstrated my commitment to protect Kona coffee farmers by promoting 100% Kona coffee and by cosponsoring legislation that requires a higher percentage of Kona coffee in Kona coffee blends. I also advocate for bills and appropriations to increase protection for the Kona coffee industry in caucus meetings and committee hearings.
Nicole Lowen: Hawaii State House District 7
YES, absolutely. I will continue to push for this change in all ways that I can including introducing the needed legislation.
Jeanné Kapela: Hawaii State House District 5
As the current representative for State House District 5, I am fully committed to ensuring that the economic impact study is completed in a timely manner. I also believe that we need to guarantee that the study is conducted by a qualified analyst, so that its results are not biased against the interests of local coffee farmers. Personally, I don't think a study was needed to reform Hawai'i's blend law. Such studies have already been completed. Prior studies have shown that reforms will not financially harm local farmers or our community. Nonetheless, I am fully committed to protecting Kona coffee farmers from commercial exploitation by expanding coffee labeling requirements to include ready-to-drink beverages, requiring coffee blenders to disclose the geographic origins by weight of each origin that their blends contain, and increasing the minimum percentage of coffee that is required to advertise a coffee product as being from a specific place (like Kona or Ka'u) to at least 51 percent. I have partnered with the Kona Coffee Farmers Association to introduce multiple pieces of legislation to accomplish these goals, including HB 461 in 2021 and HB 1535 in 2022. I look forward to continuing that partnership in the years to come.