STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1292

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 1628

       H.D. 1

       S.D. 1

Honorable Colleen Hanabusa

President of the Senate

Twenty-Fourth State Legislature

Regular Session of 2007

State of Hawaii

Madam:

     Your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs, to which was referred H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO HAWAII MACADAMIA NUT PRODUCT LABELING,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to enhance consumer awareness regarding the origin of macadamias in food products.

     Specifically, this measure requires macadamia nut package labeling to specify the percentage of nuts by weight grown in Hawaii and provides penalties for violations.

     Testimony in support of this measure was submitted by the Department of Agriculture, the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and the ILWU Local 142.

     Your Committee finds that the macadamia nut industry is a vital component of Hawaii's economy and proper labeling is essential in securing and maintaining the competitiveness of Hawaiian macadamia nuts in the food industry.  Your Committee further finds that clarifying the labeling requirements and penalties for violations will enhance the effectiveness of the labeling law in protecting the Hawaiian macadamia nut industry. 

     Your Committee also finds that it is important to ensure truth in labeling so consumers can make informed choices regarding their purchases.

     This measure was amended to delay the effective date to ensure further discussion on this measure.  Technical, nonsubstantive changes have also been made for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and grammatical accuracy.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Water, Land, Agriculture, and Hawaiian Affairs,

____________________________

RUSSELL S. KOKUBUN, Chair