Hawaii Senate Bill SR100

Hawaii 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/11/22
• Refer: 3/16/22

Caption

Requesting The Department Of The Attorney General; Department Of Business, Economic Development, And Tourism; And Department Of Agriculture To Develop Recommendations Of A System For Protecting Hawaii's Regional Names From Deceptive Use In The Marketing Of Products Not Grown Or Made In Hawaii.

Impact

If enacted, this Resolution requests that the Department of the Attorney General, along with the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Department of Agriculture, collaborate to develop a protection system for Hawaii's regional names. This system would aim to enhance the economic interests of local producers by preventing misleading marketing practices that exploit Hawaii's identity. The Resolution calls for a report of findings and legislative recommendations to be submitted prior to the Regular Session of 2023, emphasizing a need for actionable measures.

Summary

Senate Resolution 100, introduced in the Thirty-first Legislature of Hawaii in 2022, aims to safeguard Hawaii's regional names from deceptive use in marketing products that are not genuinely produced in Hawaii. The Resolution highlights the state's reputation and consumer appeal for goods believed to be authentically Hawaiian. Notably, Hawaii currently allows the use of its geographic names in product labeling, even when the products contain as little as ten percent content from the named region, which has led to consumer confusion and fraud.

Contention

The Resolution arises from ongoing concerns that Hawaii, unlike other states and regions that have stricter protections for their regional names, does not adequately protect its producers from deceptive marketing. Examples from other regions, like the stringent regulations on products labeled 'Champagne' in France and the actions taken in Idaho regarding their potatoes, serve as a benchmark for potential reforms. Critics may argue about the practical implications of implementing such a system, and whether it would effectively address the issue of consumer fraud or inadvertently create barriers for producers.

Final_notes

Ultimately, SR100 serves as a step towards enhancing consumer trust and ensuring that products bearing the proud Hawaiian name genuinely reflect local agricultural authenticity. It reinforces the necessity for legislative action to protect the identity and marketability of Hawaii's unique offerings in a competitive global landscape.