New Hawaii Coffee Law Hurting Kona Businesses – CoffeeTalk

Hawaii’s coffee industry, primarily grown in Kona, is facing changes due to a new state law, Act 198, which aims to address deceptive labeling and raise the mandatory percentage of Hawaii-grown coffee to a minimum of 51% by 2027. The industry claims that the reputation of the renowned Kona bean has been watered down due to the possibility of a 10% Kona blend being labeled as Kona, leading to fake flavors. Despite the coffee industry supporting the new law, they argue it hurts business. The law comes after a Hawaii coffee farmers lawsuit fought counterfeit Kona and was settled last year. Now, big-box buyers of coffee are skittish about buying Kona, fearing they are vulnerable to lawsuits. Experts predict that Kona coffee prices are expected to drop 20% from two years ago, and the market is expected to stabilize. The best news for coffee drinkers is that Kona coffee is reasonably affordable, making it a great option for those who enjoy a cup in the morning.

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