A bill over 30 years in the making has cleared legislative hurdles and is being sent to Gov. Josh Green for his signature.
House Bill 2298 makes it a violation of the coffee labeling law to use a Hawaii geographic origin in labeling or advertising for roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverage blends that contain less than 51% coffee by weight from that geographic origin.
The bill originally called for phasing in the percentage of regional coffee incrementally to 100% by 2027, however in its final iteration will continue the existing statutory minimum of 10% of coffee by weight through June 30, 2027, and, beginning July 1, 2027, increasing the minimum percentage to 51% of coffee by weight when using a Hawaii geographic origin in labeling or advertising for roasted coffee, instant coffee, or ready-to-drink coffee beverages. The changes will take effect on July 1.
The bill, introduced by Rep. Nicole Lowen, came on the heels of Act 222 in 2022 which required an independent study to assess the economic impact of Hawaii’s coffee labeling laws on local coffee farmers and the industry.
Guild Consulting of Honolulu was awarded the $100,000 contract to conduct the study, and on Jan. 18, the DOA submitted the final report on “Economic Study on Changes in Coffee Labeling Law.”
The report highlighted that increasing the minimum amount of Kona coffee from 10% to either 51% or 100% would be advantageous for local farmers, with a higher increase providing the most benefit. Additionally, the report anticipated that proposed labeling changes could result in a price increase for Kona coffee while seeing minimal impact on quantities grown or sold.
“This initiative is about protecting Kona’s world-renowned coffee and ensuring that local farmers receive the prices they deserve for their products, and that dollars stay in Hawaii’s economy,” said Rep. Nicole Lowen in a prepared statement. “The percentage of Kona Coffee required for it to be labeled Kona should be 100%, but given that this is the first progress made on this in more than thirty years, it’s a huge win.”
