Skip to main content

Posts

Showing posts from June 25, 2012

Hawaii Gov. Abercrombie to veto Kona coffee certification bill

The Associated Press via CBS News June 25, 2012 HONOLULU — Hawaii Gov. Neil Abercrombie said Monday he plans to veto a bill that would remove mandatory certification for Hawaii-grown coffee, a measure Kona coffee farmers said would be disastrous for the industry's integrity and reputation. Abercrombie listed the bill as one of 19 he is considering vetoing from the 2012 legislative session. Some of the bills are still under consideration, he said. Kona coffee farmers who were against the certification repeal from the start welcomed the veto. The certification helps them fight against lesser-quality products, they said. "The implications of this measure are problematic," Abercrombie said. "Further discussion is needed to ensure that the Hawaii brand will not be undermined." Lawmakers passed the law as a measure to help a staffing shortage at the state Department of Agriculture, an agency that's eliminated all but one inspector on the ...