Bill > SB890

This bill requires products labeled, marketed, or sold as "poi" that contain kalo (taro) grown outside of Hawaii to include a specific label disclosing the origin of the kalo. The label must state "This product contains kalo grown outside Hawaii" and further identify the specific origin of the kalo used in the product. The bill provides a detailed definition of "kalo" that includes the taro plant and four genera in the Araceae family. There is also a provision that ensures if the bill's requirements conflict with federal law, the federal law will take precedence, and the bill's provisions will become invalid without affecting the rest of the chapter. The bill includes a provision for the label requirement to take effect on July 1, 3000, which appears to be a placeholder date, likely meant to indicate a future implementation date. The purpose of the bill seems to be to provide transparency to consumers about the origin of poi products and support local Hawaiian agriculture by requiring clear labeling of non-local kalo.

Agriculture and Natural Resources, Business and Industry

https://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/session/measure_indiv.aspx?billtype=SB&billnumber=890&year=2026