Bill > SB129

This bill requires retail establishments in Hawaii to label raw ahi (yellowfin or bigeye tuna), ahi poke, and processed ahi products with the country where the fish was landed, addressing concerns about misleading marketing practices in the local seafood market. The legislation defines key terms such as "ahi poke" (cubed raw ahi mixed with other ingredients), "processed ahi" (ahi that has been modified or combined with other food components), and applies to retail establishments licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act that purchase over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce annually. The bill's purpose is to provide consumers with transparent information about the origin of ahi products, as the legislature found that most consumers are unaware that many ahi products sold in Hawaii are actually imported, previously frozen, and treated with carbon monoxide, despite the state's significant local tuna fishing industry that generates around $100 million annually. By requiring clear country of origin labeling, the bill aims to protect consumers and support local fisheries by preventing potentially misleading marketing practices that suggest products are locally sourced when they are not.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=129&year=2026