STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1724

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE: H.B. No. 534

H.D. 2

S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaii Longline Association, Hawaii Seafood Council, and five individuals.

Your Committee finds that Hawaii is known for its high‑quality ahi tuna fish, which are caught under strict fishery management standards. Many consumers prefer to buy locally sourced food to support the local economy, and stringent Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements under existing federal laws are intended to provide consumers with the information necessary to make informed choices about the foods they eat. These COOL regulations, however, do not apply to prepared foods offered for retail sale at food service establishments, where certain "locally made" labels may be misleading to consumers if the product is prepared with non-Hawaiian caught fish. This measure ensures consumer transparency while protecting the local fishing industry by requiring COOL requirements for processed ahi products sold at retail establishments in the State.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

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

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JARRETT KEOHOKALOLE, Chair