HB 534: Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Raw Processed Ahi; Unfair and Deceptive Practices

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production and that the identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

     According to statistics from the United States Department of Commerce, the annual dockside value of commercial yellowfin and bigeye tuna (marked as ahi) landed in Hawaii's ports is around $100,000,000, making tuna the highest valued food commodity produced in the State.  Even with these impressive landings, previously frozen and carbon monoxide-treated foreign imported tuna dominates sales at local retail establishments.  Due to a loophole in federal country of origin labeling requirements for seafood, retail establishments are not providing consumers with information on where the ahi tuna originates.  The legislature is therefore concerned that most consumers that buy ahi at local retail establishments falsely believe that previously frozen, gas-treated ahi is caught by Hawaii fisheries.

     Moreover, the legislature further notes that the majority of ahi sold at local retail establishments is in the form of poke and sushi products.  Consumers of poke are commonly subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology, such as "prepared fresh", "freshly made", and "locally made", while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas-treated, and imported in pre-cut cubes.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of raw processed ahi at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486-     Raw processed ahi; labeling requirements; retail establishments.  (a)  No retail establishment shall keep, offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for the sale of any raw processed ahi without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     (b)  As used in this section:

     "Ahi" means yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, including farm-raised fish and ahi that meets the definition of "wild fish and shellfish" as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.133, as amended.

     "Farm-raised fish" has the same meaning as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.106, as amended.

     "Raw processed ahi" means a retail item derived from ahi that has undergone transformation by methods including but not limited to cutting, cubing, slicing, and mincing or has been combined with any ingredients (e.g., soy sauce, onions, limu, etc.) and offered for sale.

     "Retail establishment" means an establishment licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, which includes any retail establishment that purchases over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2026.

Report Title:

Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Raw Processed Ahi; Unfair and Deceptive Practices

Description:

Prohibits the sale of any raw processed ahi by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.  Effective 7/1/2026.  (CD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production and that the identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

     According to statistics from the United States Department of Commerce, the annual dockside value of commercial yellowfin and bigeye tuna (marked as ahi) landed in Hawaii's ports is around $100,000,000, making tuna the highest valued food commodity produced in the State.  Even with these impressive landings, previously frozen and carbon monoxide-treated foreign imported tuna dominates sales at local retail establishments.  Due to a loophole in federal country of origin labeling requirements for seafood, retail establishments are not providing consumers with information on where the ahi tuna originates.  The legislature is therefore concerned that most consumers that buy ahi at local retail establishments falsely believe that previously frozen, gas-treated ahi is caught by Hawaii fisheries.

     Moreover, the legislature further notes that the majority of raw ahi sold at local retail establishments is in the form of poke and sushi products.  Consumers of poke are commonly subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology, such as "prepared fresh", "freshly made", and "locally made", while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas-treated, and imported in pre-cut cubes.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 481B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§481B-    Raw processed ahi; labeling requirements; retail establishments.  (a)  No retail establishment shall keep, offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for the sale of any raw ahi product that is an ingredient in a processed food item without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     (b)  For the purposes of this section:

     "Ahi" means yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, including farm-raised fish and yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna that meets the definition of "wild fish and shellfish" as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.133, as amended.

     "Farm-raised fish" has the same meaning as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.106, as amended.

     "Retail establishment" means an establishment:

     (1)  Licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930; and

     (2)  That purchases over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 2050.

Report Title:

Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Raw Ahi Product; Unfair and Deceptive Practices

Description:

Prohibits the sale of any processed food item with raw ahi product as an ingredient by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.  Effective 7/1/2050.  (SD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production and that the identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

     According to statistics from the United States Department of Commerce, the annual dockside value of commercial yellowfin and bigeye tuna (marked as ahi) landed in Hawaii's ports is around $100,000,000, making tuna the highest valued food commodity produced in the State.  Even with these impressive landings, previously frozen and carbon monoxide-treated foreign imported tuna dominates sales at local retail establishments.  Due to a loophole in federal country of origin labeling requirements for seafood, retail establishments are not providing consumers with information on where the ahi tuna originates.  The legislature is therefore concerned that most consumers that buy ahi at local retail establishments falsely believe that previously frozen, gas-treated ahi is caught by Hawaii fisheries.

     Moreover, the legislature further notes that the majority of ahi sold at local retail establishments is in the form of poke and sushi products.  Consumers of poke are commonly subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology, such as "prepared fresh", "freshly made", and "locally made", while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas-treated, and imported in pre-cut cubes.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 481B, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part I to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§481B-     Raw processed ahi; labeling requirements; retail establishments.  (a)  No retail establishment shall keep, offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for the sale of any raw ahi product that is an ingredient in a processed food item without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     (b)  As used in this section:

     "Ahi" means yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, including farm-raised fish and yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna that meets the definition of "wild fish and shellfish" as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.133, as amended.

     "Farm-raised fish" has the same meaning as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.106, as amended.

     "Retail establishment" means an establishment:

     (1)  Licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930; and

     (2)  That purchases over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Measurement Standards; Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Raw Ahi Product

Description:

Prohibits the sale of any processed food item with raw ahi product as an ingredient in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD2)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production and that the identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

     According to statistics from the United States Department of Commerce, the annual dockside value of commercial yellowfin and bigeye tuna (marked as ahi) landed in Hawaii's ports is around $100,000,000, making tuna the highest valued food commodity produced in the State.  Even with these impressive landings, previously frozen and carbon monoxide-treated foreign imported tuna dominates sales at local retail establishments.  Due to a loophole in federal country of origin labeling requirements for seafood, retail establishments are not providing consumers with information on where the ahi tuna originates.  The legislature is therefore concerned that most consumers that buy ahi at local retail establishments falsely believe that previously frozen, gas-treated ahi is caught by Hawaii fisheries.

     Moreover, the legislature further notes that the majority of ahi sold at local retail establishments is in the form of poke and sushi products.  Consumers of poke are commonly subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology, such as "prepared fresh", "freshly made", and "locally made", while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas-treated, and imported in pre-cut cubes.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to prohibit the sale of processed ahi at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486-     Processed ahi; labeling requirements; retail establishments.  (a)  No retail establishment shall keep, offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for the sale of any processed ahi without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     (b)  As used in this section:

     "Ahi" means yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, including farm-raised fish and ahi that meets the definition of "wild fish and shellfish" as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.133, as amended.

     "Farm-raised fish" has the same meaning as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.106, as amended.

     "Processed ahi" means a retail item derived from ahi that has undergone specific processing resulting in a change in the character of the ahi, or that has been combined with at least one other substantive food component (e.g., breading, tomato sauce), except that the addition of a component, such as water, salt, or sugar, that enhances or represents a further step in the preparation of the product for consumption, would not in itself result in a processed food item.

     "Retail establishment" means an establishment licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, which includes any retail establishment that purchases over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect on July 1, 3000.

Report Title:

Measurement Standards; Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Processed Ahi

Description:

Prohibits the sale of processed ahi in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.  Effective 7/1/3000.  (HD1)

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

A BILL FOR AN ACT

relating to LABELING REQUIREMENTS.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF HAWAII:

     SECTION 1.  The legislature finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production and that the identification of foreign imported tuna is critical to inform and safeguard consumers.

     According to statistics from the United States Department of Commerce, the annual dockside value of commercial yellowfin and bigeye tuna (marked as ahi) landed in Hawaii's ports is around $100,000,000, making tuna the highest valued food commodity produced in the State.  Even with these impressive landings, previously frozen and carbon monoxide-treated foreign imported tuna dominates sales at local retail establishments.  Due to a loophole in federal country of origin labeling requirements for seafood, retail establishments are not providing consumers with information on where the ahi tuna originates.  The legislature is therefore concerned that most consumers that buy ahi at local retail establishments falsely believe that previously frozen, gas-treated ahi is caught by Hawaii fisheries.

     Moreover, the legislature further notes that the majority of raw ahi sold at local retail establishments is in the form of poke and sushi products.  Consumers of poke are commonly subjected to misleading advertisements and in-store terminology, such as "prepared fresh", "freshly made", and "locally made", while the ahi used to prepare the poke is foreign-sourced, previously frozen, gas-treated, and imported in pre-cut cubes.

     Accordingly, the purpose of this Act is to extend country of origin labeling requirements for certain ahi tuna products at Hawaii retail establishments.

     SECTION 2.  Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, is amended by adding a new section to part V to be appropriately designated and to read as follows:

     "§486-    Raw ahi; labeling requirements; retail establishments.  (a)  No retail establishment shall keep, offer, display, expose for sale, or solicit for the sale of any raw ahi, including any raw ahi that has been combined, mixed, marinated, or otherwise prepared for human consumption, without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     (b)  As used in this section:

     "Ahi" means yellowfin tuna or bigeye tuna, including farm-raised fish and ahi that meets the definition of "wild fish and shellfish" as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.133, as amended.

     "Farm-raised fish" has the same meaning as defined in title 7 Code of Federal Regulations section 60.106, as amended.

     "Retail establishment" means an establishment licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930, which includes any retail establishment that purchases over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year."

     SECTION 3.  New statutory material is underscored.

     SECTION 4.  This Act shall take effect upon its approval.

Report Title:

Measurement Standards; Uniform Packaging and Labeling; Food Labeling; Country of Origin; Tuna; Raw Ahi

Description:

Prohibits the sale of raw ahi and raw ahi products in retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.

The summary description of legislation appearing on this page is for informational purposes only and is not legislation or evidence of legislative intent.

CONFERENCE COMMITTEE REP. NO. 177

Honolulu, Hawaii

                 , 2025

RE:    H.B. No. 534

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

       C.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madam and Sir:

     Your Committee on Conference on the disagreeing vote of the House of Representatives to the amendments proposed by the Senate in H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

having met, and after full and free discussion, has agreed to recommend and does recommend to the respective Houses the final passage of this bill in an amended form.

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee on Conference has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Prohibiting the sale of raw processed ahi, rather than processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient, without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed, and codifying the provisions under chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, rather than chapter 481B, Hawaii Revised Statutes;

     (2)  Inserting a definition for "raw processed ahi";

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 2026; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the managers of your Committee on Conference that is attached to this report, your Committee on Conference is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Final Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, C.D. 1.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the managers:

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1724

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 534

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection, to which was referred H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Hawaii Longline Association, Hawaii Seafood Council, and five individuals.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii is known for its high‑quality ahi tuna fish, which are caught under strict fishery management standards.  Many consumers prefer to buy locally sourced food to support the local economy, and stringent Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) requirements under existing federal laws are intended to provide consumers with the information necessary to make informed choices about the foods they eat.  These COOL regulations, however, do not apply to prepared foods offered for retail sale at food service establishments, where certain "locally made" labels may be misleading to consumers if the product is prepared with non-Hawaiian caught fish.  This measure ensures consumer transparency while protecting the local fishing industry by requiring COOL requirements for processed ahi products sold at retail establishments in the State.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection,

STAND. COM. REP. NO. 1173

Honolulu, Hawaii

RE:    H.B. No. 534

       H.D. 2

       S.D. 1

Honorable Ronald D. Kouchi

President of the Senate

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Sir:

     Your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism, to which was referred H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose and intent of this measure is to prohibit the sale of any processed food item with raw ahi product as an ingredient by retail establishments without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau, Fishing Tales with Mike Sakamoto, Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United, and four individuals.

     Your Committee finds that local tuna fisheries and associated seafood markets are an important sector of the State's economy and food production.  While the State is known for high-quality ahi, which is regulated by strict fishery management standards, imported tuna comprises an overwhelming percentage of sales at local retail establishments.  Your Committee further finds that federal regulations that require seafood products to be labeled with the country of origin do not apply to prepared foods such as poke offered for retail sale at food service establishments.  Due to the differences in labeling requirements, imported products are sometimes deceptively marketed as "Hawaiian" or "local".  By establishing labeling requirements for any processed food item containing raw ahi product, this measure will provide greater transparency to consumers, promoting informed purchasing decisions.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Inserting an effective date of July 1, 2050, to encourage further discussion; and

     (2)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity and consistency.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development and Tourism that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, S.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development and Tourism,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  870

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 534

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Finance, to which was referred H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the sale of processed food items with raw ahi products as an ingredient at Hawaii retail establishments without a label stating the country in which the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; Hawai‘i Farm Bureau; Fishing Tales with Mike Sakamoto; Hawaii Longline Association; and four individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Finance that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2, and recommends that it pass Third Reading.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Finance,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  785

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 534

      H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 534, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the sale of processed ahi in retail establishments in the State without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Hawaii Longline Association; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Fishing Tales with Mike Sakamoto; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union; Chamber of Commerce Hawaii; and ten individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of Agriculture and three individuals.

     Your Committee finds that the State is known for its high-quality ahi, which are caught under strict fishery management standards.  However, ahi poke sold at retail establishments is dominated by previously frozen, carbon monoxide treated fish that is imported from foreign sources.  This causes confusion to the consumer, who, as a result of deceptive advertising tactics such as "freshly made," and "locally prepared," are mislead into believing the product is fresh or locally caught.  This measure provides a mechanism by which consumers may be assured of the ahi's origin.

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Moving the provisions of this measure under the enforcement purview of the Department of the Attorney General and the Office of Consumer Protection;

     (2)  Specifying that the labeling requirements apply to any raw ahi product that is an ingredient in a processed food item, not to processed ahi;

     (3)  Clarifying that the retail establishments subject to this labeling requirement are establishments that:

          (A)  Are licensed under the Perishable Agricultural Commodities Act of 1930; and

          (B)  Purchase over $230,000 of fresh or frozen produce per calendar year; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, H.D. 1, as amended herein, and recommends that it be referred to your Committee on Finance in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 534, H.D. 2.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce,

STAND. COM. REP. NO.  80

Honolulu, Hawaii

                , 2025

RE:   H.B. No. 534

      H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2025

State of Hawaii

Madame:

     Your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems, to which was referred H.B. No. 534 entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LABELING REQUIREMENTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

     The purpose of this measure is to prohibit the sale of raw ahi and raw ahi products in retail establishments in the State without a label that states the country where the ahi was landed.

     Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Land and Natural Resources; North Shore Nutrition; Hawai‘i Fishermen's Alliance for Conservation and Tradition, Inc.; Hawaii Longline Association; Farm Link Hawai‘i; Paradise Poke Hawaii; Local I‘a; and numerous individuals.  Your Committee received comments on this measure from the Department of the Attorney General and Department of Agriculture.

     Your Committee finds that Hawaii's tuna fisheries are a vital part of the State's economy and food system, yet consumers are often misled about the origin of the ahi they purchase, as most ahi sold at retail establishments, particularly in poke and sushi products, is actually imported, previously frozen, and carbon monoxide-treated.  Due to a loophole in federal labeling laws, retailers are not required to disclose the origin of these products, leading many consumers to falsely assume they are purchasing fresh, locally caught tuna.  By ensuring transparency in seafood labeling, this measure empowers consumers to make informed choices, supports Hawaii's fishing industry, and protects the integrity of the State's premium seafood market.

     Your Committee notes that further consideration should be given to other ways to strengthen the intent of this measure by looking at other metrics for labeling requirements of processed ahi, such as "fresh" or "previously frozen".

     Your Committee has amended this measure by:

     (1)  Clarifying that the labeling requirements apply to processed ahi, rather than raw ahi;

     (2)  Adding a definition for "processed ahi";

     (3)  Changing the effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion; and

     (4)  Making technical, nonsubstantive amendments for the purposes of clarity, consistency, and style.

     As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 534, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 534, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Agriculture & Food Systems,