< 2022 Candidate Questionnaire
Kona’s coffee farmers recognize and very much appreciate the unanimous adoption last fall of County Council Resolution No. 223-21 asking the Legislature to change the 10% coffee blend labeling law to a minimum of 51%. As farmer efforts for coffee labeling reform continue, what do you believe the County Council can do by way of additional support?
Colehour Bondera: Hawaii County Council District 6
The Hawaii County Council can and should work towards anticipated steps in future legislative actions, by developing pro-active positions and sharing them with our legislators. By working with farmer-focused groups, we can put in place next step actions which would mean that no delays would happen after the current “study” is complete. Also, by working in collaboration with the other groups regarding coffee blending across the state, we can request that no delay is permitted in carrying out what is required. Finally, as a second generation small-scale farmer, my thought is to bring that perspective to the table with the County Council and have them recognize that the County Council needs to provide better outreach to farmers in terms of them feeling listened to and represented; I think that the County Council can listen more and better to farmer needs and concerns and priorities.
Michelle Galimba: Hawaii County Council District 6
The County Council can continue to support the coffee farmers in their labeling efforts, and help to “build the brand” around Hawaiʻiʻs elite coffee status with funding towards marketing, so as to augment the efforts of the farmers towards coffee labeling reform.
Dr. Holeka G. Inaba: Hawaii County Council District 8
As the introducer of this legislation and someone who testified at every hearing of the state measure in the legislature, I am hopeful that we can work together again with Representative Lowen to ensure that a new bill is re-introduced in the next session and hopefully passed with support from the study that is to be completed now.