Bill > SR16

This Resolution requests the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism (DBEDT) to conduct a comprehensive study of the "Made in Hawaii" and "Hawaii Made" brands, which are used to identify products originating from the state. The study aims to review past efforts, assess the current and potential value of these brands for Hawaii manufacturers, and identify best practices for their promotion and enforcement. Following the study, DBEDT is tasked with developing a plan to encourage and enforce the use of these brands, which includes creating a marketable "Hawaii Made" brand mark that reflects cultural values, determining effective enforcement procedures like inspections and penalties, and proposing incentives such as tax credits or grants to encourage companies to obtain certification for their products. The department is also required to submit a report of its findings and recommendations, including any proposed legislation, to the Legislature by early 2023. This initiative stems from concerns about overlapping jurisdictions between the "Hawaii Made" program, administered by DBEDT, and the "Made in Hawaii" program, administered by the Department of Agriculture, and a need for clearer enforcement authority for the "Hawaii Made" trademark.