STAND. COM. REP. NO. 418-26

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2026

RE: H.B. No. 2475

H.D. 1

Honorable Nadine K. Nakamura

Speaker, House of Representatives

Thirty-Third State Legislature

Regular Session of 2026

State of Hawaii

Madame:

Your Committee on Economic Development & Technology, to which was referred H.B. No. 2475 entitled:

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

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to establish labeling requirements for ʻōkolehao products.

Your Committee received testimony in support of this measure from the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity; two members of the Hawaiʻi County Council; OK Farms LLC; Lehrman Beverage Law; Ola Brew; Iron Bottom Spirits; and numerous individuals. Your Committee received testimony in opposition to this measure from Kahuna Spirits Ltd.; and three individuals.

Your Committee finds that ʻōkolehao is a traditional Hawaiian distilled spirit with deep historical and cultural significance. Your Committee further finds that over time the absence of clear standards and labeling protections has allowed the ʻōkolehao name to be misused, undermining the integrity and economic potential of the product. Clear standards are needed to protect consumers, support local agriculture, and preserve the cultural integrity of this traditional product. This measure addresses these concerns by establishing labeling requirements to ensure that products marketed as ʻōkolehao are distilled from products primarily cultivated and harvested in Hawaii and bottled in Hawaii.

Your Committee has amended this measure by changing its effective date to July 1, 3000, to encourage further discussion.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development & Technology that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2475, as amended herein, and recommends that it pass Second Reading in the form attached hereto as H.B. No. 2475, H.D. 1, and be referred to your Committee on Consumer Protection & Commerce.

Respectfully submitted on behalf of the members of the Committee on Economic Development & Technology,

____________________________

GREGGOR ILAGAN, Chair