KCFA is pleased to announce that Governor Josh Green signed HB2298 into law yesterday! On July 1, 2027, all Kona blend coffee must contain a minimum of 51% Kona beans. This also applies to our sister coffee regions around the state. KCFA’s Suzanne Shriner introduced the bill in a speech before the Governor, Legislators and…
HAWAIʻI HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Hale o nā Luna Maka‘āinana FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE January 29, 2024 House Communications: Cathy S. Lee | 808-587-7242 KONA LEGISLATORS INTRODUCE STRICTER KONA COFFEE LABELING LAWS Measures boost economic support and advocate for local coffee farmers Kona, Hawaiʻi – During the 2024 legislative session, Kona lawmakers have introduced bills dedicated to imposing…
Learn how each candidate running for office this fall responds to issues important to Kona Coffee Farmers.
In a federal court class action lawsuit, Kona coffee farmers have recovered more than $15 million in settlement payments from companies accused of marketing fraudulent Kona coffee. More effective than lawsuits, however, would be active enforcement of fair labeling laws by the FDA. What ideas do you have to accomplish that? The first policy that…
In a federal court class action lawsuit, Kona coffee farmers have recovered more than $15 million in settlement payments from companies accused of marketing fraudulent Kona coffee. More effective than lawsuits, however, would be active enforcement of fair labeling laws by the FDA. What ideas do you have to accomplish that? In order to combat…
COUNTY OF HAWAII – STATE OF HawaiiRESOLUTION NO. 223 21 . A RESOLUTION URGING THE HAWAII STATE LEGISLATURE TO AMENDCOFFEE LABELING REQUIREMENTS FOR BLENDS OF GEOGRAPHICALLYNAMED 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…
COMMITTEE ON GOVERNMENTAL OPERATIONS,RELATIONS, AND ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT16′ h SessionORDER OF BUSINESSWest Hawaii Civic Center74- 5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway, Building AKailua- Kona, HawaiiOctober 19, 202110: 30 a. m.Pursuant to Governor Ige’ s most recent proclamation, in order to minimizephysical contact and maximize social distancing, this meeting willnot be open to the public. Oral Public Testimony: The…
Kona Coffee Farmers Association Questions to Hawaii County Mayoral Candidates QUESTION ONE: On October 15, 2014, the Hawaii County Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 501-14 requesting the State Legislature to adopt legislation requiring the use of Hawaii geographic-origin names in the labeling or advertising of a Hawaii coffee blend only if the blend contains…
Kona Coffee Farmers Association Questions to Candidates for US House of Representatives, District 2 Question One: Counterfeiting and deceptive labeling of Kona and other Hawaii-grown coffee products occurs all too often on the Mainland–with adverse economic impact to Hawaii’s coffee growers and damage to the reputation of Hawaii-grown coffee. The federal Food and Drug Administration has…
Kona Coffee Farmers Association Questions to West Hawaii County Council Candidates QUESTIONS: On October 15, 2014, the Hawaii County Council unanimously adopted Resolution No. 501-14 requesting the State Legislature to adopt legislation requiring the use of Hawaii geographic-origin names in the labeling or advertising of a Hawaii coffee blend only if the blend contains at…
Kona Coffee Farmers Association Questions to West Hawaii State House of Representatives Candidates Question One: For more than 28 years Hawaii has been the only region anywhere in the world to authorize by law the use of its origin names on packages of an agricultural product (coffee) with only 10% genuine content—HRS 486-120.6. For more…
URGENT ACTION ALERT Aloha Friends, Family, and Supporters of Hawaii Grown Coffee On All Islands Your testimony is needed now to protect brand integrity for coffee grown on all islands. Read background on the issue HERE The battle to preserve brand integrity and another excellent article printed in Civil Beat HERE Hawaii’s coffee blend law deceives consumers (Civil…
Donations.KCFA.Excel Donations For Legislative Efforts SUBMITTED as of 11/10/2019 SUB-10/31/2019 Piasecki, Sammi – Holualoa, HI- For Legislative Effort (1) – $1.00 sammipiasecki@charter.net SUB-11/7/2019 Smith, Cea – Honaunau, HI Donation For Legislative Effort (1) – $10.00 no need SUB-11/7/2019 Childs, Colin Keola – Holualoa, HI Donation For Legislative Effort (1) – $100.00 keolachilds@hotmail.com SUB- 11/8/2019 …
The Kona Coffee Farmers Association is a 501(c)(6) non-profit association consisting of more than 250 members and supporting the interests of the hard-working coffee farmers in the Kona District on Hawaii Island. The KCFA’s mission is “to promote and protect Kona farmers’ economic interests in 100% Kona coffee, to protect the Kona coffee heritage, and…
March 24, 2019 To: Governor David Y. Ige c/o Cindy McMillan, Communications Director Dear Governor Ige: I am a coffee farmer in the North Kona District of Hawaii County. I have publicly supported your two campaigns for governor. I am writing to express concern that with regard to HB144 your administration’s Hawaii Department of Agriculture…
please read here >>> DOCS-#1230821-v1-Dkt_1__Complaint caution, it is 65 pages
Candidate Questionnaire—from the Kona Coffee Farmers Association RESPONSE DATE: September 26, 2018 For the three questions below, please select either “yes”, “no”, or “other”. Comments are optional, but would be very helpful. “Yes” answers will indicate support for positions taken by the Kona Coffee Farmers Association (“KCFA”) and support for the interests of Hawaii coffee…
In the last week of June KCFA’s Legislative Committee sent questionnaires with 3 coffee-related questions to candidates for West Hawaii legislative offices and to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor. [Note–questions to candidates for Governor and Lt. Governor were slightly modified to reflect administrative, rather than legislative offices.] Responses were requested from candidates by July…
From: Bruce Corker <bruce.corker@gmail.com> Date: Sun, Nov 12, 2017 at 8:00 PM Subject: KonaRed/Other States’ Protections for Farmers To: “Sen. Mike Gabbard” <sengabbard@capitol.hawaii.gov> Cc: Andrew Gomes <agomes@staradvertiser.com>, Richard Creagan <repcreagan@gmail.com>, “Rep. Nicole Lowen” <replowen@capitol.hawaii.gov>, Josh Green <sengreen@capitol.hawaii.gov>, margaret wille <mdwille@gmail.com>, Scott Enright <scott.enright@hawaii.gov> Dear Mike: After review of Andrew Gomes’ November 6 Star-Advertiser article…
October 18 , 2017 Scott Enright, Chair Hawaii Department of Agriculture 1428 South King Street Honolulu, Hi 96814 Re: KonaRed Cold Brew Coffee Original Kona Blend Dear Scott: A Kona Coffee Farmers Association (www.KonaCoffeeFarmers.org) member recently brought to our attention, and raised concerns over, the labeling on a coffee product that uses the “Kona” name…
Dear Chair Gabbard and Members of the Senate AEN Committee: I am a Kona coffee farmer in the North Kona District of Hawaii Island and am a member of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association. I strongly support the passage of HB186. The threat of Coffee Berry Borer (CBB) creates a danger that Hawaii-grown coffee will…
Click to read>>> BUS_AG 2016-03 Truth Labeling of Hawaii-Grown Coffee
read the whole story here: http://hawaiitribune-herald.com/news/local-news/coffee-labeling-bill-aims-protect-hawaii-brands
2015.07.02_letter_from Sec Vilsack responding to 05.01.2015 letter re CBB
Here is Ms. Harden’s review of what the USDA is doing in Hawaii click to read>>> Krysta Harden.04-30-3015Honolulu Star-Advertiser US Deputy Secretary of Agriculture and US Senator Mazie Hirono met with KCFA Members and others on April 10, 2015. photos here
A beautiful day at the Kona Living History Coffee Farm with USDA Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden, US Senator Mazie Hirono, HDOA Chair Soott Enright and Rob Curtiss, PBARC’s Tracy Matsumoto and CTAHR’s Andrea Kawabata. Members of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association were also in attendance.
WE really NEED YOUR TESTIMONY! If you don’t do it, who will? Before Monday February 16 at 3:35 pm- please take a few minutes and just show your SUPPORT to have more REAL Kona in a bag labeled Kona Blend.
Resolution asks for two significant changes to state law: (1) a minimum of 51% genuine content in any Hawaii coffee blend; and (2) clear identification on the package of the percentage and origin of Foreign-Grown coffee. Agree? Mahalo! go here to sign: http://tinyurl.com/KCFA-Petition
almost 1500 signatures and we need yours! a particular thank you to the Kona Coffee consumers and appreciators. As a reminder the Hawaii economy relies heavily on tourism and every caring voice matters. SIGN TODAY!
Help Us Today! PLease Sign Petition For Truth in Labeling Hawaii ‘s Coffees
POINTS IN SUPPORT OF REFORMING THE HAWAII COFFEE LABELING LAW: 1—As a matter of economic theory, if supply goes down, prices go up. Removing from the supply side what is estimated to be 5 million pounds of fake Kona coffee sold annually in Hawaii (that is, 5 million pounds in packages consisting of 90% foreign…
click to read>>>>>COM 0998.001 2012-2014
click to read > RES 500 Draft 01 2012-2014
click to read> HSAC Truth in labeling D1b 2014 The resolution will be considered at a committee hearing at the Hawaii Civic Center in Kona on Tuesday, September 16. Testifiers need to sign in by 3:30 pm. We need all Farmers to speak up!
Attachments to Palcovich email, below, noted in item -2 Proposed Coffee Standards Kokubun emails <KCFA logo> May 5, 2014Dori Palcovich, Administrator Small Business Regulatory Review BoardRe: Proposed Amendments to Coffee StandardsDear Ms. Palcovich:On behalf of the Kona Coffee Farmers Association (KCFA) and it’s more than 300 members and for the reasons set forth in the attached…
QUESTIONS from Members 03/26/2014 Q–<Testifying in Person>”? A-Means you will be at the Legislature. Select <No> if you do not plan to be there and are instead sending in Testimony Q-<May we put our testimony into the comments section of page instead of uploading a doc and still be effective?> A- Yes. (For April 2014)- The…
Subject: GOOD NEWS—SB111 was Deferred! Many thanks to all KCFA members who took time to submit written testimony to the House Agriculture Committee in opposition to SB111, the bill that would have given broad authority to the Board of Agriculture to re-write “Made-in-Hawaii/Labeling” laws. After Monday’s hearing, the Committee “deferred” the measure. Strong testimony from…
Testimony to the Legislature needed: Please send in by 10:40 am Sunday! We need (again) KCFA members and supporters to send email testimony in opposition to SB111/SD2. At the last minute, the Senate Agriculture Committee inserted new language into what had been introduced as a “blank bill”. On February 26 the Senate Agriculture, Consumer Protection and Ways…
click to read: Karen Eoff- County Council Request for Hearing on HB213 Relating To Agricultural Product Labelin (Companion – SB558)
For your information. It has been busy! Don’t forget we also have EXPO on Friday January 31, 2014 from 10-4 at Old Airport’s Makeo Pavilion. KCFA PR of January 23, 2014 TWO BILLS ADDRESS “CONSUMER FRAUD” IN HAWAII COFFEE LABELING Kona State Representative Nicole Lowen and Hawaii County State Senator Russell Ruderman, at the urging of the…
TO: All KCFA Members FROM: Cecelia Smith, President KCFA RE: Proposed “Changes to Coffee Standards” While KCFA will be presenting a detailed list of all concerns on behalf of the Association at Thursday’s Public Hearing, we are asking for your help! October 10 at 9 am at the West Hawaii Civic Center, mauka of Honokohau…
NEW HDOA PROPOSED COFFEE STANDARDS– HDOA is holding a hearing on Thursday, October 10 at 9am at the West Hawaii Civic Center to take testimony on 34 pages of new regulations making significant changes to the Coffee Standards. KCFA has reviewed the entire document and has identified 9 important concerns. Click on the link below to see all 9. For the sake…
click to see Public Hearing Notice and Proposed Rules here: http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/meetings-reports/proposed-administrative-rules/ The KCFA feels that in order to fully understand the Proposed Changes, it is important to review the language in the Proposed Administrative Rules. In small green letters, about 2/3 of the way down the page you can see the complete Proposed Changes in…
Hearing Date and Time and Place October 10, 2013- Thursday at 9 am West Hawaii Civic Center, Com. Meeting Hale Bldg. G, 74-5044 Ane Keohokalole Highway We need your Testimony. HDOA Requirements for Testimony: … submit comments orally or in writing. Written testimony may be submitted prior to the hearing via postal mail to the Quality…
BIL 113 Draft 01 BIL 109 Draft 01 Comparison of GMO Bills Council Contact How to SUBMIT TESTIMONY: To Submit Testimony: Written Public Testimony: The deadline for submission of written public testimony is before 12:00 noon on the business day prior to the meeting. The Office of the County Clerk will accept receipt of…
Please note the correct email address to submit online testimony is: counciltestimony@co.hawaii.hi.us to read the full KCFA press release, please click here->, Bill 79 Testimony needed
Thurston Jt Case Mgt Statement Thurston Stip. to Dismiss
PRESS RELEASE KONA COFFEE FARMERS ASSOCIATION P O Box 5436, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii 96745 April 30, 2013 Contact: Anita Kelleher, Kona Coffee Farmers Association — “Anita Kelleher” <anitakelleher@bellsouth.net> Tel. 305-934-2248 SAFEWAY SETTLES KONA COFFEE BLEND MISLABELING LAWSUIT Safeway Stores has settled a federal court lawsuit brought by a California consumer alleging damages from deceptive labeling of…
US Senator Mazie Hirono Asks USDA’s Secretary of Agriculture to Address Kona’s CBB Emergency here: 4 15 13 letter to Secretary Vilsack
An email sent to all active KCFA Members on March 13, 2013 Thanks to the dedicated efforts of the Legislative Committee of our Kona Coffee Farmers Association, we have SUCCEEDED! As many are aware, in January Kona Representative Nicole Lowen introduced a very important bill to address our CBB Emergency. Rep. Lowen’s bill (“HB353”) provides for $500,000…
LEGISLATIVE ALERT! WE NEED YOUR HELP. WE NEED EACH KCFA MEMBER TO SUBMIT WRITTEN TESTIMONY TO THE SENATE AGRICULTURE COMMITTEE ASKING THAT THE STATE OF HAWAII RECOGNIZE CBB AS A DIRE EMERGENCY FOR COFFEE FARMERS. The Background—HB353 (CBB Research and Farmer Support)—This bill was introduced by Kona Representative Nicole Lowen and provides for $500,000…
KCFA is part of a group from Kona and all of Hawaii that is requesting Emergency Funding from the White and the US Department of Agriculture for the Coffee Berry Borer pest that is threatening the the growing of coffee in Hawaii. The complete text of the letter, sent on February 28th is here: CBB Emergency…
PO Box 5436, Kailua Kona, HI 96745 • www.konacoffeefarmers.org • info@konacoffeefarmers.org CONTACT PERSON – CLARE WILSON GOVERNOR ABANDONS THE “HAWAII” BRAND AND SMALL SCALE FARMERS KAILUA KONA, HAWAII, July 11, 2012 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Governor Abercrombie has decided to allow HB 280 (the repeal of mandatory certification of coffee) to become law without his signature…
The Hawaii County Democratic Party held its 2012 convention on May 5 in Honoka’a. Two of the resolutions adopted by the delegates are copied below: Resolution #12HCD/2012 “Calling for Truthful Marketing of Kona Coffee” and Resolution #16HCD/2012 “Relating to Protection of ‘Origin’ Products and Their Small Farm Economies”. These and other resolutions adopted at the…
Kona Coffee Farmers Association Resolution OF October 19, 2010 RESOLUTION CALLING FOR THE IMMEDIATE SUSPENSION OF GREEN COFFEE IMPORTS INTO HAWAII 1—WHEREAS, one of the critical duties of the HDOA and its Plant Quarantine and Plant Pest Control Branches is to prevent introduction and spread of pests and diseases harmful to Hawaii agriculture; 2—WHEREAS, in…
“Why is Hawaii the only region anywhere in the world that permits the use of the name of one of its premier specialty agricultural crops with only 10% genuine content?”- President, Bruce Corker at the KCFA Annual Meeting- January 2010 August 2010 Must Read: 2010 Candidates Respond to KCFA Questionnaire ATTN: KCFA Members, it’s a must-read!…
“Teruel Declaration” (Teruel, 26 June 2009) The members of OriGIn – the Organization for an International Geographical Indications Network – meeting in Teruel for its fourth General Assembly, agree, on behalf of millions of producers from all over the world, to adopt the following Declaration: By providing jobs for millions of individuals around the world,…