Hawaii stands out as the only U.S. state with large-scale commercial coffee farming, thanks to its mineral-rich volcanic soil, favorable elevation, and climate. The islands of Maui, Kauai, and Hawaii Island, particularly the renowned Kona region, are home to hundreds of coffee farms that thrive in these ideal conditions.
However, a troubling trend has emerged: many bags of coffee marketed as “Hawaii-grown” often contain only 10% beans sourced from the islands, with the remaining 90% coming from other regions around the world.
Hawaii Island state Representative Nicole Lowen addressed this issue, stating, “For too long, we have allowed products that are 90-percent imported coffee beans to use the Kona name and reputation for profit at the expense of farmers.”
In response, a new law has been enacted that requires a minimum of 51% of the coffee in a product labeled as Hawaiian to be grown in the state by 2027. Lowen, who introduced the bill, acknowledged that while the ideal would be 100% Kona coffee for products bearing that name, this law represents significant progress after over 30 years of inadequate regulations.
The law follows a class-action lawsuit filed in 2019 by Hawaii coffee farmers against major retailers, including Costco and Walmart, for selling coffee labeled as Kona while containing little to no actual coffee from the region. This lawsuit resulted in over $41 million in settlements for the farmers.
The new legislation has sparked debate within Hawaii’s coffee community. Some industry members argue that the threshold should have been raised to 100%, while others believe that 51% is a step forward compared to the misleading practices previously allowed.
The law may also lead to higher prices for Hawaii coffee. Shawn Steiman, owner of Coffea Consulting and Grok Coffee, expressed cautious support for the increased minimum, noting concerns about potential shifts in demand as the deadline approaches.
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