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Bill

HB 496

RELATING TO MĀMAKI TEA.

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Terez Amato and 15 co-sponsors

Hawaii establishes regulatory standards and market promotion framework for māmaki tea production, balancing cultural preservation with agricultural economic development despite initial gubernatorial concerns.

Act 242, 06/27/2025 (Gov. Msg. No. 1344).
#appropriation($) #hdoa #labelingrequirements #māmakitea #position
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Bill Summary · HB 496

Legislative bill overview

HB 496 establishes regulatory and promotional frameworks for māmaki tea, a traditional Hawaiian plant beverage, in Hawaii. The bill likely addresses cultivation, production standards, labeling requirements, and market development for this native Hawaiian product.

Why is this important

Māmaki tea represents a culturally significant Hawaiian botanical product with potential economic benefits for local farmers and businesses. This legislation supports both cultural preservation and agricultural diversification in Hawaii's economy while establishing quality and authenticity standards for the emerging market.

Potential points of contention

  • Regulatory burden vs. market growth: Strict production and labeling standards may protect consumers but could impose compliance costs on small-scale Hawaiian producers
  • Cultural authenticity concerns: Defining what qualifies as legitimate "māmaki tea" and who can produce/market it raises questions about cultural ownership and intellectual property
  • Veto override implications: The governor's initial veto notice (later overridden with Act 242) suggests concerns about implementation costs, regulatory scope, or potential unintended consequences that weren't fully resolved

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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