COUNTY OF HAWAII – STATE OF Hawaii
RESOLUTION NO. 223 21 .
A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMEND
COFFEE LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR BLENDS OF GEOGRAPHICALLY
NAMED HAWAII-GROWN COFFEE.
WHEREAS, Hawaii- grown coffee is known throughout the world as a premier,
specialty coffee that is recognized for its unique aroma and rich flavor; and
WHEREAS, coffee has been grown in Hawaii for over 200 years, commercially
established predominantly on Hawaii Island for approximately 185 years, and due to its fine
reputation, has become a valuable commodity with an annual production value of over$ 48
million dollars in the State; and
WHEREAS, although Hawaii regulates the use of geographic names, such as Kona,
Ka`u and Hamakua on labels of its Hawaii- grown coffee products, Hawaii Revised Statutes
section 486- 120. 6 allows blends that include as little as 10% of coffee from a particular Hawaii
region to be labeled Kona Coffee Blend, Ka`u Coffee Blend, or Hamakua Coffee Blend; and
WHEREAS, labeling coffee blends that are composed of as much as 90% of coffee
grown outside of Hawaii as a Hawaii- grown blend deceives consumers, often results in a
product of lesser quality, and according to a study published by Marvin Feldman, a San
Francisco- based resource economist, caused Kona coffee farmers to lose $ 14. 4 million dollars
in revenue per year as of 2010, an annual loss of more than $ 20, 000 for the average Kona coffee
farm; and
WHEREAS, to protect the Hawaii-grown coffee brand, labeling requirements for
Hawaii-grown coffee blends should be amended to require that they contain a minimum of 51%
of any Hawaii- grown coffee named on the label, and require that the remaining 49% of its
contents be geographically identified as to its origin and percentage of coffee from each origin
contained therein; and
WHEREAS, past efforts made to protect the Hawaii-grown brand through the adoption
of provisions for truthful labeling of Hawaii-grown coffee have failed due to fierce opposition
from” coffee blender” entities motivated by their desire to advance their own economic benefit at
the expense of Hawai` i’ s coffee industry and local coffee farmers; and
WHEREAS, it is the duty of Hawaii lawmakers to protect the Hawaii-grown brand and
support the coffee industry and coffee farmers at the County and State level; now therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF HAWAI`I that the
Hawaii State Legislature is urged to pass legislation to amend the minimum percentage
requirement for blends of geographically named Hawaii- grown coffee from 10% to 51%, and
that the remaining 49% of its contents be geographically identified as to origin and percentage of
coffee, from each origin contained therein.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the passing of legislation regarding the labeling
requirements for Hawaii- grown coffee blends is urgent and crucial to the farming community
and to the economic recovery and growth of our Island.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED that the County Cleric shall forward copies of this
resolution to the Honorable Governor David Y. Ige, the Honorable Lieutenant Governor Josh
Green, the Honorable Senator Dru Mamo Kanuha, the Honorable Representative Jeanne Kapela,
the Honorable Representative Nicole E. Lowen, the Honorable Representative David A. Tarnas,
the Honorable Senator Lorraine R. Inouye, the Honorable Representative Mark M. Nakashima,
the Honorable Representative Richard H. K. Onishi, the Honorable Senator Joy A. San
Buenaventura, the Honorable Representative Chris Todd, the Honorable Senator Laura Acasio,
and the Honorable Representative Greggor Ilagan.
Dated at Hawaii, this day of 20
INTRODUCED BY:
Inaba
COUNCIL MEMBER, COUNTY OF HAWAII
COUNTY COUNCIL ROLL CALL VOTE
County of Hawaii AYES NOES ABS EX
Hilo, Hawaii CHUNG
DAVID
I hereby certify that the foregoing RESOLUTION was by INABA
the vote indicated to the right hereof adopted by the COUNCIL of the
KANEALI` I- KLEINFELDER
County of Hawaii on KIERKIEWICZ
KIMBALL
ATTEST: LEE LOY
RICHARDS
VILLEGAS
Reference: C- 421/ GOREDC
COUNTY CLERK CHAIRPERSON & PRESIDING OFFICER RESOLUTION NO. 2 2.1 2 1