Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-First State Legislature

Regular Session of 2002

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Agriculture, to which was referred S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1, entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to require that items represented to be "koa" wood actually contain acacia koa wood.

The Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii Forest Industry Association, Fogelvik Furniture, Alapaki Wood Art, C. Barton Potter Co., and two concerned individuals testified in support of this bill. The Hawaii Agriculture Research Center supported the intent of this measure. The Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs submitted comments.

Your Committee recognizes that some wood and wood products have been labeled as "koa" when in reality they were made from the wood of species other than acacia koa. This measure will help protect consumers from these misleading advertising and marketing practices.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of S.B. No. 2518, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce.