News Briefs, Sunday, March 19, 2023

    Chair of the state Board of Agriculture Sharon Hurd gave testimony on HB259: "This measure prohibits using geographic origins of coffee in labeling or advertising for roasted or instant coffee that contains less than a certain percentage of coffee by weight from that geographic origin, phased in to a minimum of 51 percent after 7/1/2025." It prohibits use of the term All Hawaiian in labeling and advertising for roasted or instant coffee not produced entirely from green coffee beans grown and processed in Hawai'i. 

    Jeffrey Clark, Chief Operating Officer for Edmund C. Olson Trust, which owns and operates Kaʻū Coffee Mill and coffee orchards, sells only 100% Kaʻū Coffee. He wrote: "I can see the devastating result of blended coffees on the Hawai'i-grown coffee industry. Blended coffees, using as little as 10% of Hawaiian coffee, creates a real problem for local farmers. Blended coffees do not provide the consumer with the proper taste profile and mislead the consumer about the region's flavor qualities. Blended coffees also depress the price of 100% Hawaii-grown coffees... Products need to be properly labeled to inform the consumer not only of the percentage of Hawai'i-grown coffee, but also the percentage of foreign-grown coffee." 

    Clark noted that the coffee industry in Hawai'i started over 100 years ago and represents one of the largest crops grown in the state of Hawai'i. "Hawai'i farmers have built a reputation for growing high quality, specialty coffees that command premium prices. Blenders have taken advantage of this reputation" by blending Hawai'i-grown coffee with lower quality, cheaper coffees from elsewhere, said Clark.
    Hawai'i Farmers Union United stated that "Coffee farmers have been seeking these changes for more than 30 years. And consumers deserve full and clear disclosure of what is in the package."
FOURTEEN NEW HAWAI'I CONSERVATION RESOURCES ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS are assigned to Hawai'i Island. These CREOs are among the 41 women and men in the largest recruit class in the history of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources' Division of Conservation & Resources Enforcement. The class was sworn in and commissioned in a ceremony at Leeward Community College on Friday and presented commission certificates and badges.

    DOCARE Chief Jason Redulla said, “If you combine the skills of a police officer, game warden, park ranger, marine patrol officer, educator, medic and counselor, that’s a DOCARE officer. These officers have a broad skillset and the academy was the vehicle to get them equipped so they can best serve Hawai‘i in protecting its natural and cultural resources.”

    DOCARE Lt. Carlton Helm, who led the academy, said, “To the visitor mindset, Hawai‘i’s natural resources are elements of paradise – clear ocean waters, sandy beaches, warm sun, tropical fish, but to residents with ties to this place it means a lot more, it’s our identity. Without the resources, little by little, we start to lose that identity. CREOs are committed to our communities and to protecting our resources.”

Carlton Helm led the academy to train new Conservation Resources Enforcement officers.

    The class trained for more than eight months in more than 100 disciplines combining classroom work and intense field exercises. The new CREOs deploy to O‘ahu (14), Hawai‘i Island (14), Maui (7), and Kaua‘i (6). "Their presence is expected to make an immediate impact in conservation enforcement and will bolster patrol needs and staff ranks," says a statement from DLNR.
    DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, “I’m greatly appreciative for the kuleana that these men and women have accepted. I welcome them to the DLNR ‘Ohana.” Other speakers at the graduation included Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, Sen. Donovan Dela Cruz, and Lt. Oscar Diaz (DPS Retired). The graduates’ family members participated to pin badges on the officers’ uniforms.

    CREO duties include enforcing rules and laws, educating residents and visitors and interacting with the community. DOCARE officers cover large geographic areas, often working independently with little or no oversight. According to DLNR, "They’re expected to command a firm understanding of natural resource laws, and to work in challenging conditions on land and at sea.
    "The academy program is a community effort with stakeholders including Honolulu Community College, elected officials, DLNR and other state department leadership, conservation nonprofits, subject matter experts, other partner organizations, and residents. The program is unique in that it offers both a public safety and a natural resources component.
    "Recruits who have no law or conservation enforcement experience are developed into competent officers, learning skills to perform the job and keeping the values of kuleana, community service, and being pono, top of mind."
     Next for these newly commissioned CREOs is their field-training phase, working alongside seasoned officers at their respective island posts. They will have the opportunity to apply what they’ve learned, with guidance, in real world situations. “Learning in a classroom is one thing,” Helm explained. “Having role players and stopping to provide remedial training for the sake of recruit development is good, but in the real world there are no timeouts. That’s where the seasoned officers come in – to provide support, safety, and proper direction if need be.”