S.R. No. 48 Summary

• Department of Agriculture, in collaboration with University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization, is requested to conduct an economic impact study on potential changes to Hawaii's coffee labeling laws.

• Current law (Act 289, Session Laws of Hawaii 1991) requires coffee blends labeled as "Kona" to contain a minimum of 10 percent Kona coffee by weight, with no requirement to disclose the origin or percentage of other coffees in the blend.

• Study must consult with coffee industry stakeholders to establish protocols and factors to be addressed, and must be completed no later than January 1, 2021.

• Department of Agriculture shall submit a report with findings, recommendations, and any proposed legislation to the Legislature no later than 20 days prior to the 2021 Regular Session.

• Study addresses concerns that current labeling standards allow products with minimal Hawaii-grown content to be marketed as "Kona coffee," causing consumer confusion and potentially damaging the state's coffee brand reputation.