Kona Coffee Council opposes labeling bills

Pacific Business News (Honolulu) - February 4, 2007

The Kona Coffee Council says it does not support two Kona coffee labeling bills in the Hawaii Legislature, though it does support the general concept of bolstering the brand through more specific labeling of content.

Senate Bill 661, sponsored by Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-Waiakea Uka-Kalapana-Volcano-Kahuku, and House Bill 72, sponsored by Rep. Bob Herkes, D-Puna-Kau-Kona, would require that coffee be at least 75 percent Kona before it bears the name Kona. Kona blends are now allowed to have as little as 10 percent Kona coffee.

"We are anxious to support good legislation to increase the minimum percentage of Kona coffee in each package to be labeled Kona," the council said. "We agree that the Kona name must be protected, and that permitting coffee containing only 10 percent Kona to be labeled as Kona (blend) does not fully enhance our prestigious brand." But the council said the proposed 75 percent rule is arbitrary and could have unintended consequences. And it said an abrupt change of that magnitude could destabilize the market.

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