In brief

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

Starbucks features Ka‘u coffee

The latest crop of Ka’u coffee was released nationwide Tuesday in Starbucks US Roasteries, Reserve Bars and Clover stores.

“Starbucks has been a fantastic partner to the Ka’u coffee community and is a major contributor to a new water distribution system to help growers improve efficiency, reduce cost and combat climate change,” said Chris Manfredi of Ka’u Local Products and long-time chair of the Ka’u Coffee Festival. “Ka‘u coffee farmers are so proud to be part of Starbucks Reserve!”

Starbucks has also released a new digital traceability tool where customers can enter or scan the production code on the back of the coffee bag to learn about the origins of the coffee they are drinking. Users can trace Ka’u coffee origins and meet some of the farmers.

Using a smart phone, visit traceability.starbucks.com to start the app.

Livestock brands need to re-register

Owners of livestock brands in Hawaii have until Dec. 31 to re-register their brands with the state Department of Agriculture or risk losing their rights to their brands.

Hawaii law requires owners of livestock in the state to register their brand to secure its validity and individuality. While it is not mandatory to use brands in Hawaii, it is mandatory for owners using brands to register them every five years. The registration fee is $10.

Between 2016 and 2020 there were 726 registered brands in the state.

Typically, cattle are branded prior to one year of age so owners have a permanent and unique identification on their animals that traces them back to their ownership. In Hawaii, there are about 1,100 cattle operations ranging from herds of about 25,000 head of cattle to those with just a few head.

For more information and applications, brand owners should contact the Animal Disease Control Branch at (808) 483-7106 or email hdoa.ldc@hawaii.gov. To obtain a brand registration form, visit http://hdoa.hawaii.gov/ai/files/2012/12/DC29.pdf

By staff reports