> We are the only state in the U.S. and the only region anywhere in the world that allows the use of its regional names on packages of one of its agricultural products with 90% foreign-grown content. Well that's silly, isn't it? > By selling what amounts to $5 per pound coffee for as much as $25 per pound by merely putting the name “Kona” or “Maui” or “Hawaiian” on the label, the blenders are making millions of dollars each year in excess profits that are sent to corporate owners on the mainland. Ahhhhh, so blenders profit? That's ok, just make a law, yeah? > By way of example, in this year’s 2019 Legislative Session, the three House members from West Hawaii introduced House Bill 144, a reasonable compromise bill to reform the labeling of Hawaii coffee blends — 51% minimum Hawaii-grown and identification of the origin of the foreign-grown coffee. The bill was passed through two House committees, and the full House, and was then sent to the Senate. Chee huuuuuuu!! > At the urging of the blenders, however, HB 144 was killed as the result of maneuvering in the Senate Agriculture Committee. Sooooo, who are the blenders donating to?