STAND. COM. REP. 2981

Honolulu, Hawaii

, 2004

RE: H.B. No. 2569

H.D. 1

 

 

Honorable Robert Bunda

President of the Senate

Twenty-Second State Legislature

Regular Session of 2004

State of Hawaii

Sir:

Your Committee on Economic Development, to which was referred H.B. No. 2569, H.D. 1, entitled:

"A BILL FOR AN ACT RELATING TO NIIHAU SHELL PRODUCTS,"

begs leave to report as follows:

The purpose of this measure is to prevent the deceptive marketing of shell products with the word "Niihau" on the labeling, description, or identification of these shell products.

Testimony in support of this measure was received from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

Your Committee finds that this measure protects the unique cultural heritage of Niihau shells. Niihau shell leis have earned a well-deserved international reputation for expert craftsmanship and high quality. As such, a real Niihau shell lei commands a premium price. This measure is also designed to protect consumers from deceptive merchants who appropriate the name Niihau in order to obtain a premium price without providing a high quality product.

As affirmed by the record of votes of the members of your Committee on Economic Development that is attached to this report, your Committee is in accord with the intent and purpose of H.B. No. 2569, H.D. 1, and recommends that it pass Second Reading and be referred to the Committee on Commerce, Consumer Protection and Housing.

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

____________________________

CAROL FUKUNAGA, Chair