STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1667

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 Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing, to which was referred H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1, S.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 require macadamia nut package labeling to specify the percentage of nuts by weight grown in Hawaii and provides penalties for violations.

     Your Committee received written comments in support of this measure from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

     Your Committee finds the macadamia nut industry is a critical part of the agricultural production chain and Hawaii's reputation for producing high quality macadamia nuts needs to be protected and distinguished from macadamia nuts that are imported to the State.

     Your Committee also finds that the industry is an important part of Hawaii's economy and labeling will maintain the competitiveness of Hawaii's macadamia nuts.  This measure will also protect unwary consumers from purchasing products containing imported macadamia nuts that do not disclose the products' true contents or attempt to mislead consumers through its labeling.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 1628, H.D. 1, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection, and Affordable Housing,

____________________________

BRIAN T. TANIGUCHI, Chair