HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will hold an informational meeting on Maui to discuss possible changes to the laws that govern the processing and sale of Hawaii-grown coffee. Maui coffee growers, coffee roasters, retailers and interested individuals are welcomed to attend the meeting on Tuesday, May 20, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Pukalani Community Center Pool Meeting Room.

Representatives from HDOA's Commodities Branch and Measurement Standards Branch will explain changes that are under consideration by the State Legislature that will affect how Hawai`i coffee is labeled and sold. Proposed changes initiated by some Kona coffee growers, include:

• Increasing the minimum content required to 50 percent of Hawaii-grown coffee in blended coffee (Current law requires a minimum of 10 percent content);

• Stricter labeling requirements; and

• Implementing uniform inspection and certification requirements for both green and roasted Hawaii-grown coffee beans.

To view the current Hawaii Coffee Standards and related information, go to the HDOA website at: http://hawaii.gov/hdoa/qad/comm/comm.