STAND. COM. REP. NO. 680-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2194

H.D. 2

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce, to which was referred H.B. No. 2194, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO LEI,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to:

(1) Require and establish benchmarks for each state executive agency to ensure that a certain percentage of lei purchased by that executive agency consists of lei made entirely of natural objects and plant materials grown, harvested, and assembled in the State; and

(2) Establish labeling requirements for lei and lei materials.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; Association of Hawaiian Civic Clubs; Hawaiʻi Farm Bureau; Kapolei Chamber of Commerce; Purple Maiʻa Foundation; Hawaiʻi Farmers Union United; Hawaiian Council; and three individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Watanabe Floral, Inc. Your Committee received comments on this measure from the State Procurement Office and Chamber of Commerce Hawaii.

Your Committee finds that lei makers have long used the materials around them – such as ti leaf and Niihau shells - to create a vast array of lei with different meanings and complexities. Today, Hawaii is home to about two hundred ninety-one floriculture and nursery operations as well as countless lei shops that rely on consistent local demand to remain viable. However, approximately ninety percent of the lei sold in Hawaii is made with imported flowers. This measure establishes clear labeling standards to ensure that consumers are accurately informed of the geographic origin of the material used in a lei.

Your Committee has amended this measure by:

(1) Clarifying the definition of "state executive agency" to specifically mean the departments, offices, boards, or commissions of the executive branch of the State;

(2) Clarifying that, to use "Hawaii Grown" in connection with a lei or lei materials, the direct material costs of the plant materials and natural objects, including shells, that were cultivated or harvested within the State must comprise ninety percent of the total direct material cost of the lei or lei materials;

(3) Requiring persons that display or expose for sale, or solicit the sale of, any lei or any lei materials to disclose the geographic origin of each plant material and natural object used in the lei or lei materials; 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. 2194, 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. 2194, H.D. 2.

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

____________________________

SCOT Z. MATAYOSHI, Chair