Buying lei made only with natural materials from Hawaii nei could be a new requirement for state agencies under an effort at the Legislature aimed at helping the local floriculture industry.
Companion bills in the House and Senate that each recently received initial public hearings propose to limit state agencies from making large or small purchases of lei not made in Hawaii using 100% natural materials originating in the state.
Under the proposed restriction, lei made with imported flowers, seeds, leaves and other natural items would be phased out as allowable purchases by state agencies. So would lei made with fabric, candy and other manufactured materials.
The measures cite negative impacts on local flower growers from increased use of imported plant materials and manufactured components.
Such lei, the bills also say, are often marketed using Hawaiian language, imagery and place names that may mislead consumers and undermine the local floriculture industry along with lei makers and cultural practitioners.
The bills would require that at least 30% of all lei purchased by state agencies by the end of 2032 be made entirely of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested and assembled in Hawaii.
That threshold would rise to 40% by the end of 2037, and then to 50% by the end of 2042.
Additionally, no lei bought
by state agencies after the
beginning of 2043 would be allowed to contain plant material grown and harvested outside the state regardless of where such lei are assembled.
Madelyn McKeague, director of advocacy for the Hawaiian Council, said in written testimony on both bills that the proposed restrictions can have a significant impact in Hawaii where she said about 90% of lei sold locally are made with imported flowers.
Other items popular in lei sold in Hawaii, including kukui nuts and maile leaves, also are often imported from outside the state.
“State purchases of lei represents a valuable economic opportunity to support local,” McKeague said, adding that Honolulu City Council members spent nearly $4,500 buying lei. “Lei is one of the strongest enduring symbols of Hawaii and, to put it simply, what is a lei if it is not from Hawaii nei?”
The two bills wouldn’t apply to city officials, or the state Legislature. The proposed purchasing restrictions are only for state executive branch agencies, including state boards and commissions.
Other supporters of one or both the bills include the Hawaii Farm Bureau, the Haus of Puas floral and lei shop, the Tropical Flowers Express farm on Kauai, the Kapolei Chamber of Commerce and the O‘ahu Council of the Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs.
Not all the public testimony was in favor of the legislation, House Bill 2194 and Senate Bill 2781.
Nicholas Lee, controller of Cindy’s Lei &Flower Shoppe, expressed concern that a phased ban could be detrimental to lei makers and sellers if flower producers can’t increase production.
Lee said locally made lei have a competitive advantage due to quality and consumer tastes despite higher prices, but that supply is constrained due to aging farm operators, the agricultural labor force and other factors.
“I hope you will deeply consider the adverse
consequences of passing
HB 2194,” Lee said in written testimony that encouraged other forms of state support such as subsidies for local growers, pest and disease management support, and deregulation. “Local growers must be supported without implementing regressive
legislation that will do more harm than good.”
Sharon Hurd, chair of the state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, agreed with the intent of the legislation but also said in written testimony that it could be challenging to enforce restrictions if they become law.
“It may be difficult to determine the actual percentages used in production of the product as there is no test or procedure for this currently,” she said.
Hurd also said the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, which she also directs, may need additional staffing and other resources to effectively carry out the enforcement aspect of the legislation if it becomes law.
The value of Hawaii’s floriculture industry has been on a steep decline in recent years, falling to $44 million in 2023 from $89 million in 2019, according to the most recent analysis by DAB. Of the total, $6 million in 2023 was for lei flowers and other cut flowers, which was down from $12 million in 2019.
HB 2194 was introduced by 11 of 51 House members led by Rep. Darius Kila (D, Nanakuli-Maili).
The House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems, which is chaired by one of the bill’s co-introducers, Rep. Cory Chun (D, Pearl City-Waipahu-Waikele), passed the bill unanimously after a public hearing on Feb. 6. HB 2194 now has been referred to the House Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce for further
consideration.
SB 2781 was introduced by Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole (D, Kaneohe-Kailua). The Senate Committee on Government Operations held a public hearing on the measure on Feb. 3 but did not immediately act on the bill.
Sen. Angus McKelvey, chair of the committee, said during the hearing that he was aware of concerns about unintended negative impacts on businesses, and that he might want to explore the idea of requiring lei sold in Hawaii be labeled as to origin. Such a law
exists for coffee.
“Is that something that, if the bill would move forward for consideration, (would) address the concerns that were raised?” McKelvey asked McKeague of the Hawaiian Council.
“Yes, absolutely,” McKeague replied. “I think we would still remain in support.”
On Thursday, McKelvey deferred any decision on the bill by the committee tentatively to Feb. 17.
