Hawaii Senate Bill SB1183

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/17/25
• Refer: 1/27/25

Caption

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

Summary

SB1183 would create new labeling rules for māmaki tea under Hawaii’s consumer protection and labeling laws. The bill defines māmaki tea as tea or dried leaves from Pipturus albidus and requires consumer packages to state that the product is 100% grown in Hawaii before they may use language indicating the package contains māmaki tea. It also requires nonconsumer packages of Hawaii-grown māmaki tea entering intrastate or interstate commerce to bear a label identifying the product as Hawaii-grown māmaki tea. The bill further requires anyone selling, displaying, or offering māmaki tea or dried leaves to provide documented proof to the administrator upon demand that the product was grown in the state. Violations would be subject to the penalties already provided under section 486-32 of the Hawaii Revised Statutes. The act would take effect on July 1, 2025, and would not disturb rights, duties, penalties, or proceedings that arose before that date.

Impact

The bill would add a new section to chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes, expanding the state’s labeling and enforcement framework to cover māmaki tea specifically. It would affect growers, processors, distributors, retailers, and other sellers of Pipturus albidus tea or dried leaves by imposing origin-verification and labeling obligations, and it would give the administrator enforcement authority through existing penalty provisions. The practical effect is to reserve “māmaki tea” branding for products grown entirely in Hawaii and to require documentation supporting that claim.

Sentiment

The bill appears generally supportive of Hawaii’s māmaki industry and local agriculture, with the stated purpose of protecting Hawaii-grown māmaki tea and supporting its viability as a growing commodity. The available record shows no committee transcript or recorded votes, so there is no direct evidence of opposition or amendment activity in the materials provided. On its face, the measure reflects a pro-local-producer sentiment and a consumer-labeling approach intended to promote authenticity and origin transparency.

Contention

The main potential point of contention is the bill’s restriction on using māmaki tea labeling unless the product is 100% grown in Hawaii, which could affect businesses using imported or blended ingredients and may raise compliance and supply-chain concerns. Another possible issue is the documentation requirement, which could be viewed as burdensome for sellers and distributors. The bill also applies to products in interstate commerce, which may prompt questions about enforcement scope and interaction with broader commerce and labeling rules, though no specific objections are reflected in the provided discussion materials.