Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred S.B. No. 2490, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to revise and clarify labeling requirements for roasted and instant coffee produced in whole or in part from Hawaii-grown green coffee beans. Specifically, this bill:

Testimony in support of this bill was received from the Hawaii Farm Bureau, Hawaii Coffee Association, Greenwell Farms, Inc., Petersen Marketing, Kauai Coffee Company, Inc., and Hawaii Coffee Company. The Department of Agriculture commented on the bill.

Your Committee finds that coffees from Hawaii grown in geographic areas other than Kona are gaining recognition as coffees of high quality, and need the protection against false claims of origin that is presently given only to Kona coffee. Your Committee further finds that current labeling of some Hawaii-grown coffee is confusing and may mislead customers as to the type of coffee that they are purchasing.

Your Committee finds that with the implementation of the labeling requirements in this bill, consumers will be made aware of a coffee's origin and of the actual percentage of Hawaii-grown coffee that is contained in coffee advertised and marketed as Hawaii-grown.

Your Committee notes that the Department of Agriculture and the Hawaii Coffee Association worked closely together in developing a bill that is supported by all coffee interests.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2490, S.D. 2, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.