Honorable Calvin K.Y. Say

Speaker, House of Representatives

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2569 entitled:

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this bill is to prevent the deceptive use of the word "Niihau" in the marketing of shell products.

Your Committee heard testimony from three individuals in support of this bill.

Your Committee finds that due to Niihau's unique geography and the community's strong connection to Hawaiian culture, products made in Hawaii with Niihau shells have earned an international reputation for quality of material and craftsmanship. A real Niihau shell lei commands a premium price, because it is of the highest quality. However, there are unscrupulous merchants who appropriate the name in order to obtain the premium price without providing a high quality product. It is the intent of this bill to protect consumers from deception and assure that the market for Niihau shell products is not debased by unscrupulous merchants.

Your Committee has amended this bill by:

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 H.B. No. 2569, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2569, H.D. 1, and be placed on the calendar for Third Reading.