New Laws Aim To Bolster Coffee, Mac Nut Growers

By JOHN BURNETT Hawaii Tribune-Herald | Thursday, July 4, 2024, 12:05 a.m.

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald The Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center is open to tours and individuals interested in learning all about mac nuts grown in Hawaii.

Kelsey Walling/Tribune-Herald Macadamia nuts grow on a tree in the orchard located at the Mauna Loa Macadamia Nut Visitor Center in Keaau.

Gov. Josh Green signed 11 agriculture-related bills into law Wednesday that address feral chickens, the labeling of macadamia nuts and coffee, and the sale of compost, among other things.

“We don’t, as you know, grow enough food for our people, and that’s been a longstanding challenge,” Green said. “And we also trying to bring more revenue, so we can diversify the economy.”

Sen. Tim Richards, a Waimea Democrat and the Senate Agriculture vice chairman, added that the new laws will “strengthen agriculture going forward.”

“We have a problem with food security in our state,” Richards said. “By strengthening each facet of agriculture, we strengthen agriculture as a whole, and we can take actually start taking a step toward that food self-reliance and food security.”

• Senate Bill 2265 requires the Department of Agriculture to certify that anti-pest treatments were performed on wood chips, compost and filter socks prior to transportation or distribution. The measure places certain restrictions on the distribution or transportation of plant-care components without prior certification from the DOA.

It’s believed the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle, which has devastated palm trees on Oahu, entered the Big Island on shipments of wood chips and compost. The law was introduced by Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, an Oahu Democrat.

“We have to be very thoughtful about invasive species, because … when invasive species get out of control, it can devastate crops,” said Green.

• SB 2401, introduced by Sen. Donna Mercado Kim, an Oahu Democrat, requires the DOA to work with each county to implement feral chicken control programs and an education program about feeding feral animals. The new law requires each county to match the funds expended by the state — the amount wasn’t specified — for the implementation of the feral chicken control program and feral animal-feeding education campaign in that county. Co-signers include Sen. Joy San Buenaventura of Puna.

• House Bill 2278 requires labeling on macadamia nuts to disclose if the product contains mac nuts not grown in Hawaii and where they originated. Exempted are products that contain other ingredients, except seasonings and flavorings, in addition to macadamia nuts. The law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2026, was introduced by Big Island Reps. Kirstin Kahaloa, Jeanne Kapela, Mark Nakashima and David Tarnas, plus leeward Oahu Rep. Cedric Gates, the House Agriculture chairman, all Democrats.

“By passing this bill, the state is showing that it values our farmers by showing consumers who buy macadamia nuts know where those macadamia nuts are coming from,” said Nathan Trump, general manager of Island Harvest in Kohala and president of the Hawaii Macadamia Nut Association.

• HB 2298 requires roasted coffee, instant coffee and ready-to-drink coffee beverages that contain Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-processed coffee blended with coffee from other regional origins to contain no less than 51% Hawaii coffee. Retailers who aren’t the packagers are exempted from liability. The law, which goes into effect July 1, 2027, was introduced by Rep. Nicole Lowen and 24 others, including fellow Big Island Reps. Kahaloa, Kapela, Nakashima, Tarnas, Greggor Ilagan and Chris Todd.

Suzanne Shriner, president of the Kona Coffee Growers Association said this new law will ensure that “when you taste a cup of coffee that says Hawaii on the label, you are tasting a majority of Hawaiian coffee.”

“For well over 100 years, our community has had jobs, income and a way of life, thanks to coffee,” she said. “In Ka‘u, it flat-out rescued a community that ‘big sugar’ abandoned overnight. Now, our state has over 1,400 growers, thousands of employees, downstream businesses — and even tourists who fly here to experience the romance of our state’s coffees.”

• SB 2960, introduced by Richards, requires that lessees and purchasers of state farm lots and ranch lots use that land for farming and producing food, under certain conditions. It also authorizes certain agricultural cooperative associations to apply for state farm lots.

• SB 2079 allows the declaration form for plants and animals imported to the state, which anyone entering the state is required to complete, to be distributed, completed and transmitted electronically. The law was introduced by Sen. Glenn Wakai, an Oahu Democrat and the majority floor leader. Big Island Sens. Richards, San Buenaventura and Lorraine Inouye co-signed the measure.

“We’re trying to come up into modern times,” Green said. “People often hate that form, so we’re trying to fix it. … Currently, it’s distributed, of course, on the airplanes, only hard copies. Travelers complain they don’t have the ability to do it quickly.

“We want to make it easier to come into our state.”

• SB 2413, introduced by Sen. Mike Gabbard, an Oahu Democrat, requires the Board of Agriculture to submit a report to the Legislature about the percentage of agricultural lands that are suitable for farming and actively farmed, and certain dollar amounts relating to lease transfers between lessees. Richards co-signed the bill.

• HB 2144, introduced by Kahaloa, requires the Department of Health to amend the definition of “homemade food products” in its administrative rules on food safety and adopt certain rules regarding the sale and delivery of homemade food products.

• HB 2337, introduced by House Speaker Scott Saiki at Green’s request, replaces representatives from the sugar and pineapple industries with representatives of the coffee and diversified agriculture industries on the state Advisory Committee on Pesticides.

• HB2546, introduced by Gates, allows for the use of fine meshed nets for the protection of plants against invasive species, under certain conditions. Kahaloa co-signed the legislation.

• HB 1923, introduced by Rep. Linda Ichiyama, an Oahu Democrat, authorizes overnight camps in operation prior to Jan. 1, 1961, to be regulated via the special permit process.

Email John Burnett at jburnett@hawaiitribune-herald.com.