Bill > SCR113

This Concurrent Resolution requests the Department of the Attorney General, the Department of Business, Economic Development, and Tourism, and the Department of Agriculture to collaborate and develop recommendations for a system to protect Hawaii's regional names and symbols from being deceptively used in marketing products that are not actually grown or made in Hawaii. The resolution highlights that Hawaii's reputation for quality products leads to consumer demand and premium pricing, but currently, other regions and countries have stronger protections against the misuse of their names, citing examples like France's "Champagne" designation and Idaho's protection of its potato brand. It points out that Hawaii's current laws, particularly regarding coffee blends, have allowed for misleading labeling for years, causing consumer confusion and degrading the value of Hawaiian products, and therefore urges these departments to take action to safeguard the economic interests of local producers and prevent consumer deception.