Hawaii House Bill HCR84

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/10/22
• Refer: 3/14/22
• Report Pass: 3/31/22
• Refer: 3/31/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism To Conduct A Study On The "made In Hawaii" And "hawaii Made" Brands And Prepare A Plan To Encourage And Enforce The Use Of Those Brands.

Impact

The bill requests a study to assess the value of the 'Hawaii Made' and 'Made in Hawaii' brands and potential areas for improvement. This study is crucial as it seeks to evaluate the effectiveness of branding strategies in bolstering local economic development and ensuring that products genuinely manufactured or produced within Hawaii are properly marketed. It highlights a recognition among legislators about the importance of local branding in promoting state pride as well as safeguarding the economic interests of local manufacturers.

Summary

H.C.R. NO. 84 is a House Concurrent Resolution from the State of Hawaii, primarily aimed at addressing the branding of local products under the 'Hawaii Made' and 'Made in Hawaii' labels. The resolution requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism to conduct a thorough study to enhance the understanding and enforcement of these brands. This initiative arises from concerns related to overlap between the existing programs, aiming to clarify jurisdiction and enforcement responsibilities to promote authentic Hawaii-branded products effectively within the local and global markets.

Sentiment

Sentiments surrounding H.C.R. NO. 84 appear positive, as it emphasizes the need for state action to support local businesses through better branding and enforcement measures. The desire to enhance local manufacturing visibility suggests a consensus that such initiatives are vital for economic growth in Hawaii. However, the need to address overlap and jurisdictional clarity indicates there may be some underlying tensions regarding the management of these branding programs.

Contention

One notable point of contention regarding the resolution relates to the enforcement policies surrounding the 'Hawaii Made' trademark. While the bill calls for the creation of enforcement procedures, it also acknowledges that these frameworks have yet to be solidified. Concerns may arise regarding the functionalities of both the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism's program and the Department of Agriculture's corresponding efforts, particularly regarding the integrity and authenticity of locally made products—a vital aspect of consumer trust and state economics.