HAWAII COFFEE ASSOCIATION
HCA Board of Directors Meeting
Thursday, Dec 2, 2004
Hawaii Coffee Company
Honolulu HI

Directors Present
J. Wayman, J. Eddins, D. Gridley, T. Martin, L. Schooler, S. Collector, R. Emery, R. Kaiwi-Machon, C. Barbata, F. Kiger, J. Langenstein

Members Present
L Bateman, Andrew Hetzel

Others Present
C. Nagai, S. Slocum (HDOA), H. Wild

Leta called meeting to order at 9:03 am

Motion to approve minutes from November 4, 2004 meeting. Motion seconded and approved.

The Secretary position is still vacant. Tom Sato from UCC will take Brian’s place on the board. Need interested parties or nominations to be sent to Leta. Heidi will take minutes in the interim.

Treasurers report - John Langenstein
Report was given on current financial situation. Motion to approve the report was seconded and approved.

Committee Reports:

Governmental Affairs - Tim Martin
Potential funds available from the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation.

Marketing - Jim Wayman
Negotiations have been held regarding the room rates and commitments for HCA Conference in Kona July 2005. John Langenstein will follow up with hotel to confirm agreement and discuss food options.

By-Laws – No Report

Education – David Gridley
Maui coffee meeting went well, there will be a December 7th organizational meeting to discuss involvement in our January HCA meeting on Maui. Currently planning a workshop to follow our meeting.

HCA Conference – Barista Jam
Andrew Hetzel discussed the planning process for the Barista Jam, planning for 140-160 attending. Sheri Johns with Barista Competitions will help with the format, equipment and supplies, resources, concept and skill required. More information will be coming out in next few months as plans continue. Andrew will be in Hawaii for two weeks in January and a meeting will be scheduled for Barista Jam planning.

Rates to be included on website were discussed. Booth registration was finalized at $750 to include registration and meals for one person, and membership for the following year. An additional person can be included at $325. TableTops will be sold for $250. Other fees to be finalized once John Langenstein has met with the hotel. Motion to accept rates as listed above. Motion seconded and approved.

SCAA Conference - Steve Collector
Letter from JBS who handles the show management has note that all exhibitors need proof of insurance. Will review and explore further and report. Everyone is responsible for their own reservations – can check www.seattlesuite.com which is very close to venue, and more of a condo at very similar pricing to hotels. Jim Wayman will check the quantity of brochures in stock at Hawaii Coffee Company (where HCA brochures are being stored). Discussion on expenditures – would like to see plans with and without grant monies. State objective to be attendance at HCA conference in July, with way to track interest followed by attendance, and plans to recapture conference expenses through new members and conference attendance. Looking at forming teams to solicit vendors while at SCAA, and potential for retention as well as new vendor involvement. Need to have information available for membership, brochure, vendor program, and HCA conference. Items to be prepared in advance. Heidi will assist.
If we do not get grant, would like to see if someone else is interested in booth currently designated for HCA. Captain Cook Coffee willing to set aside a small portion of their two booth space for HCA information in that case.
John Langenstein: SCAA Presentation Outline due December 10th, will work with Heidi to finalize and compile each part. Heidi will also assist in putting together the PowerPoint presentation and a PowerPoint for the HCA booth/area.

HCA Conference: John to prepare Budget Plan for submittal at January board meeting.

Vendor Committee - Steve Collector
Only a few responses to date. Needs input from everyone on who their vendors are. Need to send out reminder. There are vendors already indicating willing to give discounts, but want entire program defined.

Communications – No Report

Membership - John Eddins
Membership certificate is finished. Have two new vendor members. Need to send reminder on voluntary membership due schedule.

Research and Development – No Report

International Relations - Frank Kiger
SCAA has given opposition to Brazilian coffee inclusion in compilation for the New York Commodies Exchange C contract.

Status on Grants - Heidi Wild
Should receive information on two grant proposals and submitted for SCAA and Barrista Jam in next few weeks. Attended grant-writing workshop and met Abel Konan from HDOA. We have two grants still open with potential monies available. Will work with Leta and John to see if any expenditures can be submitted – deadline by December 10th.

New Business:

Federal Legislation Request: Jim Wayman
A discussion was held regarding the concern that some Kona growers desire to propose legislation requiring a minimum standard of 50% origin coffee in order to use the origin name on a label (75% if the name is “Kona”). A meeting has been scheduled with Senator Ed Case to discuss the HCA’s concerns, and to offer an alternative similar to the Hawaii Labeling Law. Discussion ended with a motion and approval for the following statement to be given to the Hawaii Delegation by Jim and Frank: “The Hawaii Coffee Association does not support any new legislation that would mandate the percentage of origin coffee required with the use of the origin name. Further, we would like the Hawaii congressional delegation to pursue new Federal legislation emulating The Truth In Labeling rules already passed in Hawaii requiring the percentage of origin coffee to be clearly stated in all packaging and marketing of origin coffees."

Consumer Report Article on Coffee: Heidi Wild
Passed around copy of article in print. We need to prepare some educational material on Hawaii coffees to send to them for assistance for next review of coffees worldwide.

Non-Compliance of New Label Laws: It was noted that most labels in the Kona Coffee Festival Label Competition were not in compliance with new label laws. Many products on the market are also not in compliance. Leta and Richard will draft a letter of concern to the Festival organizers offering a workshop for interested parties and include a copy of the law.

Scheduling of board meetings
Next meeting is January 6, 2005 on Maui at HC&S. Meeting will start at 9:00 a.m. Please plan to stay all day. Will try to set up videoconference or conference call with Andrew Hetzel and Sheri Johns to discuss Barista Jam.
February meeting will return to Wednesdays – Feb 2nd in Kona. Meeting will start at 9:30 a.m. and include lunch. Plan on a long meeting, much to discuss as we head into SCAA and HCA conference schedules.

Meeting adjourned at 1:20 p.m.

 

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