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Bill raises content requirements for 'Hawaii' coffee

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Bill raises content requirements for 'Hawaii' coffee


HONOLULU — A bill that would require that coffee labeled or advertised with a Hawaii geographic origin contains at least 51% of coffee (by weight) from that region passed the state Legislature on Wednesday.


What You Need To Know

  • Under current law, coffee advertised as being from Kona, Kauai or other highly regarded growing areas only needs to contain 10% of coffee actually grown in those areas
  • A Hawaii Department of Agriculture study found that increasing the minimum amount of Kona coffee from 10% to either 51% or 100% would benefit local farmers, with greater increases resulting in greater benefits
  • Beyond economic concerns, supporters said House Bill 2298, Conference Draft 1, also preserves the value and integrity of locally grown coffee
  • The bill has been transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for final approval

Under current law, coffee advertised as being from Kona, Kauai or other highly regarded growing areas only needs to contain 10% of coffee actually grown in those areas.

“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 state Rep. Nicole Lowen, who introduced the measure. “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 30 years, it’s a huge win.”

Two years ago, the Legislature passed Act 222, which requested that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture study the impact of coffee labeling laws on coffee farmers and determine the economically ideal proportion of Kona beans in products marketed as Kona coffee.

The resulting report asserted that increasing the minimum amount of Kona coffee from 10% to either 51% or 100% would benefit local farmers, with greater increases resulting in greater benefits. The report projected that proposed labeling changes could result in a price increase for Kona coffee but minimal impact on quantities grown or sold.

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“By gradually implementing an increase in minimum standards, this bill protects the integrity of all regional coffee brands in Hawaii, like Kona and Kau, and supports our local farmers,” said Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa.

Beyond economic concerns, supporters said House Bill 2298, Conference Draft 1, also preserves the value and integrity of locally grown coffee.

As the bill itself notes, “despite existing labeling laws that include specific requirements for font sizes and disclosure of blend percentages, the simple inclusion of a geographic origin name on a product effectively misleads consumers into believing that the product is representative of the specialty product of that region, even though, for example, in a coffee blend that is 10% Kona coffee, the flavor of the Kona coffee is often undetectable at such low concentrations. Consumers are then deceived into paying a premium for a ‘Hawaii’ product that does not represent the name on its label.”

“HB2298 CD1 is a pivotal advancement in our ongoing commitment to safeguarding the integrity of Hawaii’s cherished agricultural industries,” said Senate Majority Leader Dru Mamo Kanuha. “By requiring a majority percentage of coffee from the specified geographic region in labeled products, we’re not only protecting our farmers’ livelihoods but also ensuring that consumers receive authentic, high-quality coffee synonymous with our beloved regions like Kona and Kau. This legislation reflects our dedication to fostering a sustainable and transparent agricultural sector, one that honors our traditions while promoting economic prosperity for generations to come.”

The bill has been transmitted to Gov. Josh Green for final approval.

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Michael Tsai covers local and state politics for Spectrum News Hawaii. He can be reached at michael.tsai@charter.com.



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Hawaii

Hawaii: NI museum to return more human remains

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Hawaii: NI museum to return more human remains


Robbie Meredith

BBC News NI Education and Arts Correspondent

NMNI A man is wearing a twead jacket and a navy jumper. He's standing outside.NMNI

William Blair, from the NMNI, says the museum is “fully committed to the rightful repatriation of collections to source communities”

National Museums Northern Ireland (NMNI) is to return further human remains to Hawaii.

Human remains and other sacred objects were previously repatriated by NMNI to Hawaii in 2022.

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That came after NMNI had identified some items stolen from other countries or connected to the slave trade among its collections.

It has now located three additional ancestral human remains (iwi kūpuna) taken from Hawaii in 1840 and plans to return them.

National Museums Northern Ireland In 2022 Representatives from the Office of hawaaian affairs then travelled to Belfast, where National Museums NI held a ceremony at the Ulster Museum to return two separate human remains including a skull, and five sacred objects.National Museums Northern Ireland

Representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs visited the Ulster Museum in 2022 for a ceremony in which two ancestral human remains (iwi kūpuna) were returned to Hawaii

‘Elated’

Kamakana Ferreira, from the OHA, told BBC News NI that his organisation appreciates the museum’s commitment to locating and returning their ancestors.

He said they are “elated” that the other missing iwi kupuna have been found after the museum were unable to locate them in 2021.

“We look forward to returning to Northern Ireland in late April to retrieve our ancestors and laying them to rest upon our return to Hawaii,” he added.

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‘Consent’

William Blair, from the National Museum Northern Ireland Director of Collections, (NMNI) said that the museum was “fully committed to the rightful repatriation of collections to source communities, to address historic wrongs and implement the decolonisation of collections.”

“We welcome the opportunity to work with and learn from partners such as the Office of Hawaiian Affairs (OHA) and Hui Iwi Kuamo’o to undertake this vital work and, as we do so, to build strong relationships based on ethics, respect and empathy.”

Pacemaker A large grey building with blocks and horizontal straps A swirly grey metal sculpture is outside on top of steps. Some people are going inside.Pacemaker

Representatives from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs visited the Ulster Museum in 2022 for a ceremony in which two ancestral human remains (iwi kūpuna) were returned to Hawaii

He said the remains and sacred objects had been taken from Hawaii in 1840 “without free, prior and informed consent from families.”

He also said that “given the 19th Century provenance of the iwi kῡpuna being brought to Belfast and the lack of professional collection management standards at the time,” they had been unable to locate three sets of remains in 2022.

“Through our ongoing processes of collections reviews and documentation projects, in alignment with formal professional standards, National Museums NI was able to locate the missing iwi kῡpuna in November 2024.”

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“We immediately notified Kamakana Ferreira, Lead Compliance Specialist at OHA, as he was involved with the original claim.”



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Watch live: Kilauea volcano eruption in Hawaii

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Watch live: Kilauea volcano eruption in Hawaii


Kilauea volcano on Hawaii’s Big Island erupted again Tuesday, continuing a pattern of activity that has persisted for nearly two months.

Kilauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes, has erupted intermittently since December 23. This marks the ninth eruptive episode, with previous bursts lasting between 13 hours to eight days, followed by pauses.

Despite the ongoing activity, no residential areas have been threatened by lava flows. The eruption remains confined to the summit crater, where visitors have gathered at overlook sites to witness the event.

Watch a live stream of the latest eruption below.

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Why It Matters

Kilauea’s activity is closely monitored because of its potential to affect nearby communities and infrastructure. While the current eruption is limited to the national park, past eruptions have destroyed homes and roads, most notably in 2018 when lava covered nearly 14 square miles and forced thousands to evacuate.

Hawaii’s volcanic landscape is in constant flux, and scientists use each eruption to improve monitoring techniques and better understand future risks.

What To Know

The eruption, which began at 10:16 a.m., sent lava onto the floor of Halemaʻumaʻu Crater inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Roughly 30 minutes later, a vent ejected lava about 330 feet (100 meters) into the air, according to the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory.

Kilauea, located about 200 miles (320 kilometers) southeast of Honolulu, is one of five volcanoes that make up the Big Island of Hawaii. The volcano’s summit is about 4,091 feet (1,247 meters) above sea level.

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Since late December, the volcano has erupted multiple times, with varying intensities. The Hawaiian Volcano Observatory continues to track seismic activity, gas emissions, and ground deformation to assess any potential changes in behavior.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park remains open to visitors, with designated viewing areas allowing safe observation of the ongoing eruption.

This handout photo from the U.S. Geological Survey shows lava erupting from Haleumaumau Crater at the summit of Kilauea volcano inside Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii., on Tuesday, February 11, 2025.

U.S. Geological Survey via AP
  • Episode One, December 23, 2024, 02:20 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time. Duration: 14 hours.
  • Episode Two, December 24, 2024, 08:00 a.m. HST. Duration: 15 hours.
  • Episode Three, December 26, 2024, 08:00 a.m. HST. Duration: 8.5 days.
  • Episode Four, January 15, 2025, 09:00 a.m. HST. Duration: 3 days.
  • Episode Five, January 22, 2025, 02:30 p.m. HST. Duration: 14 hours.
  • Episode Six, January 24, 2025, 11:28 p.m. HST. Duration: 13 hours
  • Episode Seven, January 27, 2025, 10:41 p.m. HST. Duration: 16 hours
  • Episode Eight, February 4, 2025, 07:23 p.m. HST. Duration: 22 hours
  • Episode Nine, February 11, 2025, 10:16 a.m. HST.

What People Are Saying

In a statement, the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory said: “HVO continues to closely monitor Kīlauea and will issue an eruption update tomorrow morning unless there are significant changes before then.”

What Happens Next

Each eruption since December last year has continued for 13 hours to eight days, with pauses in activity lasting less than 24 hours to 12 days, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

This article contains reporting by the Associated Press.

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What You Need to Know About Hawaiʻi’s Agriculture Form – Hawaii Magazine

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What You Need to Know About Hawaiʻi’s Agriculture Form – Hawaii Magazine


All passengers on flights arriving in the Islands are required to fill out this document.
Photo: Getty Images/FanPro

As one of the most isolated archipelagos in the world, the Hawaiian Islands are home to diverse ecosystems and an agricultural industry that produces a unique variety of crops. It’s this one-of-a-kind environment that lures millions of travelers to Hawaiʻi every year.

But the Islands’ native forests and farmlands are also extremely susceptible to diseases and pests carried by plants and animals brought into the state. Hawaiʻi is considered an epicenter of extinction, with the introduction of invasive species wreaking havoc on native plants and animals.

This is why passengers arriving to any Hawaiian island, whether on a flight from Dallas or Tokyo or anywhere else, are required to fill out the state’s Agricultural Declaration Form. The forms are distributed during flights and one person in each traveling party must complete and return the form to the airline.

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The single page questionnaire asks passengers to list if they’re carrying any plants, undeclared animals or agricultural materials to the Islands. On the other side of the form is an optional survey from the Hawaiʻi Tourism Authority.

The form is intended to protect the state from invasive species and pests. By educating travelers before they even board flights to the Islands, the state can better prevent agricultural materials and potential biohazards from arriving in the first place.

The Hawaiʻi Legislature is working to digitize the declaration form. While there is no confirmed date for when that will be complete, one proposal includes sending electronic versions to passengers when they check in to their flights. And in an August 2024 interview, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Director Sharon Hurd said the state is working on building an app that would allow passengers to complete the digital survey.

Until the state creates a digital version, all passengers will still be required to fill out paper forms on their flights.

What to Do if You’re Traveling with Agricultural Materials like Plants, Produce and Seeds:

  • If travelers realize they’re carrying fresh produce on them, there’s an amnesty bin at all airports. You can deposit any produce and agricultural products in the designated containers.
  • Plant quarantine inspectors are stationed in the baggage claim area to examine all agricultural items.
  • The Department of Agriculture also requires dogs, cats and all pets to be quarantined. You can request special permits for service animals. Additional information can be found at the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture Animal Quarantine page.

When You Depart the Islands:

Travelers are not allowed to take agricultural products like fruits, vegetables and seeds from Hawaiʻi to the U.S. mainland. Bags are screened for agricultural products to prevent the spread of fruit flies and other hazardous plant and insect diseases.





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