The Kona Coffee Council - Minutes of Meetings


	KONA COFFEE COUNCIL P.O. Box 2077 Kealakekua HI 96750 Email: [email protected] Web site: www.kona-coffee-council.com Dedicated to 100% Kona Coffee Minutes Of The Monthly Meetings Contents February 2004 March 2004 April 2004 May 2004 June 2004 July 2004 August 2004 April 2003 May 2003 June 2003 July 2003 August 2003 September 2003 October 2003 November 2003 KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, August 5, 2004 Roger Dilts called the meeting to order at 4:05pm. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Nick Baker introduced himself, his wife, Ginger, and his daughter Clare for whom their Kona coffee farm is named. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: The minutes of the June meeting were not available and were postponed until the September meeting. TREASURERS REPORT: The ending balance in June was $31,365. In July it was $23,305. The major expense were $1,460 for the reservation at the 2005 SCAA conference, $2,000 for web site maintenance, $1,050 for web site design. The receipts were $2,742 of which the largest was the Starbucks contribution of $1,520 to the Cream of the Crop event. A question was raised that now that Starbucks is a member of the KCC, are they required to have a KCC seal on every bag of Kona coffee they sell? The answer was no. A member of the Estate program raised the issue of not being listed on the Members' page of the web site. This is not an automatic process and members who wish to be included on the web page must request it. The report was accepted as submitted. Committee Reports Education Virginia Easton Smith reported for Ken Sheppard. The next Coffee Talk will be on August 11, and the topic is "Calibration of Moisture Meters. Promotion Sandra reported the most significant event of this year was the Cream of the Crop event at the Kona Village resort (see below), and she was catching up with other promotional events. Seals Jean Fike reported that they had sold 5 rolls of seals. A brief discussion was had on insisting that Estate Farms use the seals as part of their obligation to the KCC for listing them as Estates on the KCC Web Site. Kona Coffee Coffee Festival Leta Schooler has been reelected President of the HCA and will not be able to participate on the KCCF committee. Roger requested a volunteer to take Leta's place on the committee. At present Kathy Wood is doing the dinner, Roger is doing the farm tours, and George and Jean are doing the Market Place which includes the parade. Fund Raising Roger reported that donations are needed for a) the Native Hawaiian Food Festival to be held in Honolulu on August 21 and 22; b) the Big Island Farm Fair at the old airport to be held September 9, 10, 11, and 12. He also called for volunteers to man the booth there - a sign up sheet was passed around; c) the Big Island Festival and the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival in November. George Fike recommended getting the coffee donations as soon as possible. The KCC puts on an auction, both silent and live, at the Kona Coffee Cultural Festival. Items donated by members are available for purchase. The dinner/auction will be on Thursday November 11 at the Keauhou Ohana resort. The types of donations can be art, hotel rooms, potted plants, furniture, tapa cloths, really BIG tapa cloths, any thing of value. Web Site The issue of putting members on the Members' page on the KCC web site - The current rule is that members are not automatically put on the web site. A member must request that information to be posted. Ed is proposing a policy change to be voted on at the next Annual General Meeting. The proposed policy would reverse the current one. Any new member would automatically have all of their contact information posted on the web site unless they specifically request certain or all of their information not be on the web site. The new mailing list is in operation. This provides us with much more flexibility in mailing to the address list. The last e-mail used this process and it appears that you are receiving mail from [email protected]. Until this process is working smoothly and reliably the master list of present and past members of the KCC is being maintained on an Excel spreadsheet. The reasons for keeping past members on the master list are to encourage past members to join the current year, and to start a "member since" date for each member. Members without e-mail addresses, or with invalid addresses, are not getting information from the KCC unless they visit the web site. This issue will be discussed at the Membership meeting on August 7. The new web site is under construction. The model we are using is NapaValley.com/wineries. The primary buttons will emphasize our mission statement. They will be Education, Promotion, Protection. When you run your mouse over these buttons you will see the entire list of options available to you. There will be an area on the home page for sponsors of the home page. This concept has not been approved but the capability will exist. If you took digital pictures at the Cream of the Crop event, and you would like them posted on the web page, please send them to [email protected]. Sandra raised a question about web site expenses. All web site expenses have been budgeted and approved. We have a web master designing the look of the web site, and we are leasing software to provide the functional capabilities for developing our web site into a world class site. We now have the capability of developing information data bases, discussion groups, web conferencing, and contact management. The development costs paid so far are $1,050 and the lease is $1,000 a quarter. Estate Program Coffee Bags Bob Smith reported that Roger (Captain Cook Coffee) had the bags temporarily. Some of the bags will be transferred to Bryce who will sell them for $2.00 per bag. Bryce's phone number is 324-6860. The rest will be stored at Roger Dilts' until a more suitable place is found. OLD BUSINESS: Cream of the Crop Bruce reported that this event was a great success. The estimate of attendees was 400 to 500 visitors. 185 people voted in the Peoples Choice awards. All winners are to posted on the web site. It was moved, seconded and passed that the KCC will participate again next year. Starbucks kicked in $1500.00 for this year and will budget for it again next year. The Winners of the Cream of the Crop tasting awards: People's Choice Awards Organic: Gold--a tie: A'ama Farm (Nancy Griffith) and Mountain Thunder (Trent Bateman) Estate: Gold--Redbird Kona Coffee (Ken & Gail Hennig) Silver--Makahiki Farms (Jonathan & Nancy Sechrist) Open: Gold--Pele's Passion (Mark Shultise) Silver--a three-way tie: Haole Boy Coffee (Julie and Jim Mortensen) Green Gecko Coffee (Lawton Allenby & Michael Katz) Heavenly Hawaiian's The Other Farm (Kraig & Sheryl Lee) Chefs' Awards Organic: Gold--Mountain Thunder (Trent Bateman) Silver--A'ama Farm (Nancy Griffith) Estate: Gold--Island Sun Coffee ((Donna & Al Wolley) Silver--Redbird Kona Coffee (Ken and Gail Hennig) Open: Gold--Heavenly Hawaiian's The Other Farm (Kraig & Sheryl Lee) Silver--Kona Kosher Coffee (Miles & Jeanne Mulcahy) "Thank You" list for the Kona Coffee Council volunteers: Tabitha Alterman, Colehour Bondera, Howard & Stephanie Conant, Bruce & Lisa Corker, Grace De Aguiar, Bryce and Shirley Decker, Stefanie Delmont, Roger Dilts, Nancy Griffith, Gail Hennig, Bernard Laws, Chuck Moss, Bob Nelson, Andy Roy, Sandra Scarr, Mark Shultise, Kathy Wood There is a surplus of cups available for sale. A discussion of the cost of cups was had. Bruce reported that Howard was investigating the cost of cups with printing of the KCC logo. The estimated price was 1-1/2 cents each. George Fike said he uses about 2000 cups a year and he pays about 4-1/2 cents a piece. A proposal on the cups will be made at a future meeting. SCAA George and Jean distributed pictures from the SCAA convention. George requested any members who are contacted from the Farmers' Direct list, please let someone (on the Board) know so we may evaluate this program. George and Jean also gave a big Mahalo to Grace De Aguilar for providing the flower arrangements and leis. George said he could have sold the leis for $50 twenty times over. Property Tax Assessments Roger took a survey of how many people had appeals pending. Larry Baird has offered to provide a class in how to have a successful appeal. It appears that the law makers have made some changes and many people are experiencing higher assessments but lower taxes this year. Kamehameha School Lease: Roger said the KCC had exhausted its funds allocated to this effort and called for lease holders to make a donation to continue the legal pursuits. Bryce reported that he had received several donations averaging about $100.00 per farm. The total amount of lawyer's expense has exceeded $12,000. The KCC had approved $5,000 for legal fees and a similar amount was allocated by the Kona County Farm Bureau. Since the lease is nearing completion, the difference will need to be made up. GMO Coffee Roger read a document written in conjunction with the other farmer oriented organizations which is the position paper for organizations affected by GMO coffee. The main points are there will be no field trials or plantings, and unlike papaya pollen drift would affect the bean and this would be unacceptable to our markets, such as the Japanese, and to the specialty coffee associations. NEW BUSINESS: HCA Roger said because there was no KCC meeting in July, we missed the opportunity to rejoin the HCA this year. He said we need to approach the issue of whether we want to join the HCA in 2005. Several issues were offered as talking points. We need to revisit why we left the HCA in 2003. What has changed in either organization. What are the pros and cons of membership. Ed offered that he gave a presentation at the annual meeting of the HCA. One of his major proposals was the organizations that represent Hawaiian coffee generate converging strategic plans so that we may cooperate in protecting the coffee in our spheres of influence. The idea is to cooperate and not compete for the limited resources available. Sandra raised the issues of the importation of green beans into the state, and the lack of unanimity in the truth in lending legislation. Our differences need to be identifies and clarified. Bruce added to Sandra's position that we need an analysis of the reasons why we withdrew, have there been any changes (in the HCA), and what are the pros and cons. Roger agreed to prepare a critique of our objectives versus their objectives for review at our September 2 meeting. Epilogue The meeting was adjourned at 5:30pm The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Classified For Sale: State Certified “prime” estate green Kona coffee @ $7.25 per LB, sold in 100 Lb bags only, buy one or buy them all! Although this coffee is graded as prime, it has pea berry and select mixed in. Custom pulping and drying service available at $0.22 per LB cherry weight. Any amounts from 1 bag on up! Estate cherry for sale at a negotiable rate, arrangements can be made to pulp and dry if purchaser wishes. Bob Nelson [mailto:[email protected]] Lehuula Farms 79-7350 Mamalahoa Hwy. Box 1370 Kealakekua, HI. 96750 808-322-2902 www.lehuulafarms.com Back to Contents Epilogue The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, September 2, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, July 1, 2004 The meeting was cancelled. Epilogue The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, August 5, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, June 3, 2004 Roger Dilts called the meeting to order at 4:04pm. Mark Shultise was acting secretary in Ed’s absence. ANNOUNCEMENTS: Roger introduced the guest, Carolyn Nielsen, representing the Girl Scouts, who requested the Board consider a proposal whereby Girl and Boy Scouts could earn a Kona Coffee Patch. (Note: a patch is work on the back of the jacket and a badge on the front. It sounded as though the patches do not necessarily have to be approved by the Scouting Administration). Scouts would perform "tasks" which would qualify them to gain the patch. Tasks might include visiting farms, learning about coffee plants, picking and/or helping process beans, reading about coffee, etc. This would be the first patch known to support agriculture. A short discussion ensued as to whether this would be a promotion or education about coffee and the Board will consider this as it sounded promising. Roger apologized that he did not have the newsletter ready for the members, but it is in progress. Roger also said that there were two items in print, which would be of interest to the members. The first concerned the County Council and the Agricultural rate changing. The second item was an article by the Associated Press talking about local farmers and Roger, and stated that Kona Coffee is a booming business. It also mentioned that many people are starting their own Estate brand of Kona Coffee. The article appeared in the LA Times, San Francisco Chronicle, among others. Roger then passed around the full-page ad, which Starbucks ran in the New Yorker magazine. APPROVAL OF MINUTES: Bryce corrected the minutes of May 6th. The corrected item (changing IRS to CPA) appears below: "CPA CPA completed the taxes for the KCC, and we owe the CPA $29.96 more than was budgeted. The Board voted to pay the bill." The item was moved by Sandra and accepted unanimously by the Board. TREASURERS REPORT: Bryce reported the current accounting Bryce mentioned the CPA bill, resale negotiations and sticker sales. Cathy asked why we needed a CPA. We have him to verify and check our accounting as our receipts exceed $25,000. A question was asked if having a CPA helps us to review our practices and better handle our accounts in the future, the answer was yes. With no objections, the report was accepted as submitted. Committee Reports Education Ken reported that next Saturday (June 6th) there would be follow-up to a previous pruning event, this one involved "vertical selection". Virginia had the flies about it and it would be held between 8:30 and 10:30am. A general discussion covered logistics of parking and shuttling people to the farm. Virginia reported that there would be no Coffee Talk this month; the next one would be July 14th to talk about a disease effecting coffee cherry (along with about 200 other plants). The disease has been seen so far, only on Oahu and not yet on the Big Island. This is an organic sucking pest called the "glassy wing sharpshooter". Promotion Cream of the Crop Sandra described the current status of the "Cream of the Crop" Kona Coffee tasting which will be held July 17th at the Kona Village Resort. The event will host both chef tasting and public tasting of 21 coffees covering 3 categories. The categories will be "Estate", "Organic" and "Open". Should more people sign up then there are spots available, we will draw lots for this event and give those not selected a priority for the next promotion. Starbucks and Borders are involved and the KVR will receive our KCC award for being the first resort to serve only 100% Kona Coffee 100% of the time. Also expected to attend will be displays from the Kona Historical Society, the 12 Trees project and of course, our local members. We are unsure how many people will actually attend, but are planning for 200. Nancy brought up that the "Lynx" a replica tall-ship will be in port that day as an added attraction and that should help draw people to our event and vice-versa. Andy said that he could make two bakers available for us. Mark stated that emails for the event will go out soon and we have the letters ready for Donors of deserts and the judges. Chef Alos will help to distribute. We also will have newspapers ads and fliers to be posted around the west side of the island. KCC hats The new Kona Coffee Council ball caps were shown and the council sold a few on the spot. The hats are light brown with the words "100% Kona Coffee – The Kona Coffee Council" on them. Seals Bryce reported that sales of the Estate seals have slowed lately. We probably sold 200 in the past month. Coffee Festival There has not been a meeting lately regarding the Coffee Festival. Fund Raising Made in Hawaii - A discussion ensued about performing a donation drive for coffee for the "Made in Hawaii" event in August. We will probably have a donation request in our newsletter. The request would be for both green and/or roasted. State Fair We will not be participating in the State fair this year. New Web Site Roger spoke about the new website. He displayed 3 mock-ups of the sites, showing the information in different styles. The Council will probably gather a small group of people to review the choices. Coffee Bags Bob reported that about 2400 burlap bags came in and are at Captain Cook Coffee Company and proposed there be a central place to store them. Contact bob for the bags, which would be perfect for small estates. OLD BUSINESS: Kamehameha School Lease: Representatives met last month including Kona Coffee Council, Howard Yamasaki, Larry Baird and Livingston Yee (legal council). The group was very encouraged with the outcome of the meeting. We are awaiting documentation to review. So far there is no 35-year lease. Leaseholders are being encouraged to donate $10 or $20 or more towards the legal bill, as the outcome will affect leaseholders positively. Ken asked if it was wise to advertise for donations and the consensus was yes. However, we might be sensitive to exactly how and where we do it. Andy suggested that perhaps we visit each leaseholder with donation requests, in known leasehold areas. So far, the KCC, the Farm Bureau, the Farmers Alliance and individuals have been contributors. Property Tax Assessments Roger reported that we have not yet heard a decision regarding property tax assessments. SCAA Roger presented a list of Specialty Coffee Association of America members who are looking for small lots of both green and roasted coffee. NEW BUSINESS: July Meeting Next month a number of the Board will be unavailable for the regularly scheduled KCC meeting. Because of the possible confusion of changing the meeting date, it was proposed that the meeting just be cancelled rather than be rescheduled within the month. The attendees and the Board agreed to cancel the July meeting and see everyone at the regularly scheduled meeting in August. A notification will be sent to the members. Health Insurance Roger asked if there was interest in the Board pursuing health insurance as a benefit of membership. It was brought up that the farm Bureau tried it. Also discussed was Farm Liability Insurance. The Board may pursue further information, coverage and cost. Epilogue The meeting was adjourned at 5:13pm The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, August 5, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, May 6, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by President Roger Dilts. SCAA Report: Roger reported for George and Jean Fike. There were two main comments. The quality of coffee in specific areas is increasing and we need to be diligent in maintaining the image of Kona coffee. Also, there were several parties at the show who were interested in buying small quantities of green coffee, in the 100 to 200 pound range. Last Month’s Minutes: There were three corrections. Regarding the property tax assessment, there is a class action law suit against the county, not the Mayor. The lawyer representing the Kona Coffee Council is Francis Jung. Thunder Mountain was cleared of all "allegations", not "charges." The minutes were approved as amended. Treasurer's Report: Reconciled bank balance of $35,127.11 on March 31, 2004. Unreconciled bank balance of $34,237.51 on April 30, 2004. Included in the balances is the Leasehold Legal Fund with its current balance of $1,595.33. COMMITTEE REPORTS Education: Ken announced there would be a vertical selection workshop on June 5, 2004 at 8:30 AM at Cedar House B&B.; Bob Smith will be the selector. Coffee Talk: The next Coffee Talk is scheduled for May 12, 2004. The subject will be Web Marketing Experiences. Promotions: The committee decided to reduce the scope of the web site project in 2004. That would include creating a new web site modeled on the Napa Valley Wineries web page; a new name, KonaCoffeeCouncil.org; and the introduction of significant content. In 2005 we would begin a more aggressive marketing program. The printed promotions plans will be revisited next Fall. Seals: Jean Fike turned the program over to Christine while Jean was on the mainland. (As of now, the contact for seals is Bryce Decker.) Restaurant Recognition: Bruce announced that two new restaurants have been added to the program. They are Café Pesto in Kawaihae and The Orchid Isle Café. Bruce is considering including mainland restaurant recognition on our web site for an annual fee of $35. The Cream of the Crop Kona Coffee extravaganza and cupping contest will be held at the Kona Village Resort on July 17, 2004. The cupping contest will have both a Chef’s Choice and a People’s Choice for all of the categories. Festivals: The Kona Coffee Cultural Festival will be held from November 5 to November 14, 2004. Farm and Mill tours will be on November 9 and 12. The Cupping Finals will be on November 10. The KCC Dinner and Benefit Auction will be on November 11. The Big Island Festival will be held November 1 through November 7, 2004. There will be a tasting seminar at the Hapuna Prince. Fund Raising: At the Made In Hawaii Festival there will be a tasting of Kona Coffee, and an opportunity for the KCC to sell donated coffee either in mixed bags or individual farm packages. There will be a Kona Coffee education booth as well. Web Business Ed created a one page handout for distribution to groups that are not familiar with the KCC. It is intended to inform potential members of the KCC, and to give them the names of the Officers if they wish to join. Roger pointed out that will also have the KCC brochures for distribution at these events. The Promotions Committee recommended the KCC secure a new name for our web site without the "-" between the words. Also, they recommended acquiring several site names and interlinking them to create more web traffic. Ed has purchased www.konacoffeecouncil.org, .com, .net, .info, .biz, and .us. KonaCoffeeCouncil.org will become our new site. The other URLs will point to it. When it is ready to replace our existing site, then Kona-Coffee-Council.com will point to it. This will make the change transparent to all of our existing visitors. Ed has recommended that we need more sizzle on the web site and more content. The sizzle to get people’s attention to visit the site, and the content to get them to keep coming back. The content side would be divided into a members only area and an area for everyone. The members only would have a significant amount of useful information so it could be used to induce more members to join. Ed has created a "straw man" for the new site for your critical comments. It emphasizes the three words of our mission statement, Education, Promotion, Protection. Each of these three words would be a link to appropriate content and all content would be under one of these categories. For example, under Promotion we would have the Events page; under Education we would have the Coffee Talk schedule. The home page of the KCC starts off by saying, "Welcome to the home page of the Kona Coffee Council. From growth to cup we are your one source for education, promotion, and protection of 100% Kona Coffee. The picture of Pele was left to add continuity from the old site. On the left side of the page there is room for sponsors of the KCC site. We would charge a significant fee for being a sponsor. None of the design is cast in concrete. All ideas are welcome. However, we have begun this project. We are using the Napa Valley Wineries web page as a model. This leads to new possibilities of marketing Kona Coffee. For example, we could have Estate blends. A mauka farm blends their coffee with a makai farm to create a new taste of 100% Kona Coffee. A concern was voiced about using the word "blend" in conjunction with Kona Coffee. The response was maybe we need to make "blend" a wonderful word not a dirty one. Ed emphasized that the committee needs your feedback. Doors are opening. Do you want to go through them? The current project is building the infrastructure to house the content. This will give the KCC its own Intranet that will have ancillary features like video conferencing. Ed has made a unilateral decision to not post "controversial" issues on the web site. This would include things like the Ka’u coffee issue, and anything that is more rumor than fact or anything that could cause us any harm. There are issues that should not be the world’s business until they are solved, and then we can decide to post the results. The members list is being migrated to our Intranet. It will provide a single source for all members and friends, past and present. Once this is done we will be able to get information out to our members in a timely and efficient manner. We will also have the capability of doing joint distributions with other organizations if we all agree. Last, Ed put in a request for backup for the web business position. He fears that he may be attacked by his chickens and then no one would know the user names and passwords for all the web sites. Legislative: Bruce reported on the legislative issues, primarily on the protection of ag lands. For the twenty seventh straight year, the legislature failed to pass any legislation on the protection of ag lands. Roger talked with Howard Yamasaki, President of the Kona County Farm Bureau, and they agreed to start working at the local level to attempt to get some action. Membership: Grace reported that we have 175 members, 60 of those do not have e-mail addresses on file, and 90 members from 2003 have not renewed yet. There was some confusion about who gets on the e-mail list. It was explained that only paid members with e-mail addresses get the newsletter. Past members can get it but that needs to be a Board decision. Grace proposed a membership card, and she passed around several samples she had created. There was a proposal to establish a "life time membership" category. This is under consideration. Nancy Griffith made a recommendation that we capture information about the member and the farm at the time of joining or renewal. This information would include specifics about production, acreage, number of trees, pounds of cherry, parchment, green, roasted. All of this to build our knowledge of Kona Coffee so we can present a more compelling argument for Kona Coffee. Estate: Bob reported that the new supply of coffee bags would be ready for distribution before the season begins. Also, if we want to change the design, it will cost between $800 and $1,200. There are two new applications for the Estate program; Hubbard & Sons, and Hope Family Coffee Farm. The number of Estates is approaching 70, and Bob is working on the program to require the use of the KCC seals as a condition for being in the Estate program. OLD BUSINESS Kamehameha Schools Lease: There will be a meeting with the new, outside lawyers representing Kamehameha Schools on May 11, 2004 in Honolulu. Roger will represent the KCC, Howard Yamasaki will represent the Kona County Farm Bureau, and Larry Baird will represent the Kona Farmers Alliance. Property Tax Assessment: The county is now requiring an active ag plan for all ag properties. This is viewed as harassment by the county and could provide grounds for a new law suit. The number of appeals filed is in the hundreds, including several large ranches. GM Coffee: Una Greenaway has been working toward a "one voice" position from all interested organizations to present to the Department of Agriculture and the Governor. The HCA has issued a new statement. The three main parts are: 1. No GM coffee is grown in Hawaii. 2. No GM coffee should be grown commercially or field tested at this time. 3. The HCA is to be part of the decision process with the state regarding GM coffee. The Board voted to support the HCA statement. Strategic Planning: Roger proposed that we circulate the questionnaire, summarize the results, and have a follow up meeting. Ed added that the previous focus was on Promotion and we need to revisit the Education and especially the Protection strategies. He proposed that we keep the process moving along by developing a 3-5 year plan and then a one year plan by December so we would have a basis for next year’s budget. NEW BUSINESS IRS Bryce completed the taxes for the KCC, and we owe the IRS $29.96 more than was budgeted. The Board voted to pay the bill. Epilogue The meeting was adjourned at 5:37 PM. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, June 3, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, April 1, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 4:03 PM by President Roger Dilts. Roger announced that he was changing the agenda for this meeting to accommodate the budget process. The order was: Announcements Property Tax Assessment Urgent committee business Old Business - Kamehameha leasehold issue Budget review and passage Announcements Bob Foerster introduced Beryl Spalding who will be joining him at Dragon's Lair. Property Tax Assessment Mayor Kim decided to create new land assessments for home sites on ag land. The state Constitution mandates that elected officials protect agriculture and agricultural lands. Also, the state legislature is empowered to impose new taxes. Mayor Kim bypassed the legislature and ignored the Constitution. The increase in valuation for the 1/2 acre homesite on your farm has been arbitrarily increased up to 500%. The first course of action for those affected is to file an appeal by April 12. Your appeal should be based on the fact that the county has no basis for the new tax values. It is not based on market value. It is not based on a cost basis. It is not based on an income basis. Larry Baird volunteered to teach everyone how to file an appeal and how to argue your appeal. There was mention of a class action lawsuit against the mayor and his council. Urgent Committee Business Promotion Committee Report Sandra submitted a revised Promotions budget for the Boards review. Old Business Kamehameha Schools lease Roger included $4,800 for continuation of the Council's legal fund for Kamehameha Schools new lease proposal. Roger, Howard Yamasaki, and Larry Baird met with Frank Young to review the new lease line by line. A major objection to the new lease is the clause "higher and better uses" which could be used to remove any farmer from the land with six months notice. Our position is agriculture is the highest and best use of the land. Kamehameha Schools has hired outside counsel. This is considered a step in the right direction. There are several places in the current lease which state things that simply cannot be true. You would be required to give up federal and or state rights. The KCC team is attempting to meet with them face to face to iron out these problems. Ka'u Coffee Trent Bateman from Mountain Thunder was the next speaker. He said Mountain Thunder was in the spot light for importing Ka'u coffee into Kona. There was a state investigation of Mountain Thunder and they were cleared of all charges. He maintain that many of the Kona processing mills are receiving Ka'u coffee cherry without their knowledge. He also stated that he is 100% in favor of certificates of origin for cherry and parchment. Budget The proposed budget prior to this meeting would have resulted in a deficit of approximately $43,000. This assumed that all committees were fully funded. The general comments before the budget process were centered on how much of the current surplus to spend this year. Next followed a line by line discussion of all budget items. The final budget balances promotions and projects with fund raising activities, and reduces the current surplus. In other words, we will be spending more in 2004 than we take in but we will end the year with a surplus of approximately $10,000. The obvious assumption is the fund raisers deliver the numbers assigned to them. The key fund raising projects are: Made in Hawai'i Festival Hawai'i County Fair Big Island Festival Kona Coffee Cultural Festival Oahu Christmas Gift Show In order to make these fund raisers successful, WE NEED YOU!!! We need volunteers. We need helpers. We need gofers. We have already had to cancel one event because of a lack of support. Please see, call, or send an e-mail to one of our committee chairs, or any member of the Board and sign up for one or more of these events. For events lasting a full day or more we can usually schedule people for two to four hour shifts so you have a very manageable commitment. It's also a good way to meet other Kona coffee people, as well as, prospective customers. Epilogue The meeting was adjourned at 6:10 PM. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, May 6, 2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have An E-MAIL ADDRESS and/or a WEB Address, please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, e-mails of new events/activities/reminders are sent during the month between meetings. Having an e-mail address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, March 4, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 4:00 pm by President Roger Dilts. Announcements: The Natural Resources Conservation, NRRC, EQUIP program has funds available to help farmers run their farms with the goal of conservation of resources. Funds are available for projects such as irrigation. Volunteers are needed for Brewfest and Pua Plantasia. Kathy Wood introduced an artist doing unique paintings of coffee farms. Road cleanup on Saturday, March 6. Budget meeting after road cleanup at CTAHR. Review and Approval of Minutes Minutes of the last meeting were approved as is, with the comment that they were "looking professional and complete." Mahalo. Treasurer's Report: As of February 29 the unreconciled balance was $40,830.07. Expenses were $2,458.42 and receipts were $1,685.55. COMMITTEE REPORTS Education: Ken Sheppard reported that the Pruning Workshop was a success with over seventy attendees. Most were from the Kona Districts, but other districts were represented as well. Ken proposed a "Tasting of Hawaii Coffees" program. There would be cupping, a coffee tasting workshop, and an opportunity for members to compare Kona coffee with other Hawaiian coffees. He also proposed a program to clean up the sources of coffee trees planted in Kona. We would need to determine what is Kona stock, possibly using tissue cultures. Promotion: Sandra Scarr, Roger Dilts, Roger Kaiwi, and Jean Fike met to discuss fund raising and promotion. The first event discussed was the Brewers’ Festival on March 13. Volunteers were needed to provide coverage from noon until closing at 6 PM, in one to two hour shifts. Pua Plantasia evoked a lengthy discussion. It was decided that this event should be considered a promotion not a fund raiser. There were insufficient volunteers for the Council to participate this year; however, it was agreed that the Council would participate in this program as a promotional event next year. T-shirts, hats, and bags need to be reordered. The fact that we are out of hats and bags indicates that these items are good sellers at promotional and fund raising events. Jean Fike and Cea Smith will propose an amount for the budget meeting on Saturday. After budget approval an order will be placed. Sandra’s group discussed the possibility of representing the Kona Coffee Council and Kona Coffee in print. The question raised is what message are we trying to promote? Should we hire an ad agency? Should we develop Kona as a brand name in adds for gourmet products? Who are we marketing Kona coffee to? Do we need a marketing survey? Is Kona coffee a luxury, gourmet product to be aspired to, or is it an affordable, luxury product? Whatever direction we decide to go it must include the cherry farmers; the program should not exclude anyone. Another idea presented was to promote the seal program so that every bag of 100% Kona coffee leaving the Big Island has a sticker on it. Currently, some farms use the stickers and some do not. The theory is if the KCC promotes the seal, people will ask for it at the retail level. The KCC web site could be used to help customers find locations that sell Kona coffee with the seal. A discussion followed on the merits of guaranteeing quality with a money back if not satisfied program. Some felt the KCC should provide the guarantee and others felt the individual farmers should provide it. It was argued that the people in the room who are growing coffee know the best management practices for growing and producing a great cup of coffee. If a farm uses the stickers and sells a bad batch, then the KCC must pull the stickers from that farm until the problem is solved. Bob Smith commented, "Those of us who are selling coffee directly to those who are drinking it have everything to lose if the coffee is not the best it can be. Especially on the Internet, word gets out and you’re dead, just like that." Someone trying to cheat will get found out. It is up to the individual farmers to provide the guarantee to their customers. If a customer buys direct from a farmer and is not satisfied, he should get his money back. The farmer direct market through the Internet is a limited market. As we expand the number of farms and estates, the KCC needs to expand the markets for Kona coffee. Other mechanisms need to be explored. The Council has the responsibility to establish new markets. The question is how? One answer is to expand the seal program to provide fund raising and quality assurance. Should all Estates be required to use the seals on their Kona coffee products? Should this be a new requirement of the Estate program? The Estate farms could use seal to make their labels look more official and to advertise that they contribute five cents for every pound to the Council to guarantee quality. The seals would not be limited to the Estates. Other farmers and processors could use them as well. Mention was made of producing a quarterly magazine. Finally, a call for more volunteers for the Promotion committee was made. Seal Program: Jean Fike reported sales of 24 rolls of seals last month and six rolls this month. After April 20, Ken and Christine Sheppard will have the seals until Jean returns in August. Coffee Festival: Leta reported that the 2004 Coffee Festival is the same time period as the Big Island Festival, a gourmet food festival. She has been approached to have a Kona coffee presence at the gourmet event. Legislation: House bill 2800 on ag lands is still active. More information will be available next month. Education: Coffee Talk on March 10 will be an update on what’s new for taxes, and crop insurance. Coffee Talk for April will be a week long processing workshop. Estate Program: The quote for new coffee bags was $1.38 each for 2,400 bags. A motion to buy was approved. Bob Smith reported there were three new Estate applications. The applications include the TMK numbers and all applicants were paid up members of the KCC. The new Estates are: Cornerstone Farms Orchid Isle Estate Farms, LLC Pyramid Family Farm President’s Report: The results of the first strategic planning session have been tabulated. Members are requested to review the list of items, rate the issues, and return to the KCC. More Saturday meetings are scheduled for the next quarter. At the last HCA meeting, the Fair Farm Value (value at the gate) of Kona coffee was discussed. Currently, the State values Kona coffee at $23 million. In reality, Kona coffee should be valued at over $100 million. It is important to get the State to value Kona coffee appropriately. Among other things, it determines how the Department of Agriculture looks at the coffee business for importance in providing assistance, grants, research projects, etc. Pineapple is the leading agricultural product and is valued at $100 million. Coffee is in fifth place at $23 million. Bags of coffee, pulled off shelves in Hawaii, that do not meet the new label law were displayed. If you sell coffee in the State, you must comply with the label law. Transportation of coffee of $100 value or more must have a receipt of origin. A copy of that receipt must be presented to the receiver of that shipment. The police are authorized to stop the vehicle containing the coffee and request the receipt. The system is too cumbersome and few if any are complying. In the future, this may lead to farms having to be licensed. Previously, the Kona Coffee Council did not support the HCA’s project to sell 3X grade coffee to the military because it would have required the importation of green coffee to Hawaii. That project has now been changed to make it all Hawaiian coffee. Jim Wayman has asked Roger for a letter of support for the new program. The new program will be getting 3X off the streets. It will be combined with other Hawaiian coffees and sold as a completely Hawaiian product to the military only. A motion to support the new program was passed. Ag Lands - No news. Kamehameha Schools Lease - Howard Yamasaki, Larry Baird, and Roger are prepared to go to Honolulu to meet with the Kamehameha Schools people to discuss the lease. They are waiting for an update from the lawyers. OLD BUSINESS Ag Land Working Group See February minutes. Coffee Bags A motion to buy 2400 bags was passed. HCA - 3X Coffee For Military A motion was passed to support the new HCA program for selling 3X coffee in an Hawaiian blend. Ka’u Coffee Discussion was deferred until the next meeting. It was noted that the Department of Agriculture met with the Ka’u coffee farmers to give them advice and guidance on the proper/legal way to market their coffee. NEW BUSINESS Starbucks West Hawaii News printed an article stating that Starbucks will be selling Kona coffee once again. This is stated to be a one time event. Starbucks will be selling one half pound of Kona coffee for $20. SCCA To participate in the Farmer Direct program at this year’s SCAA you must get your farm specific information to Jean Fike. All KCC members were sent a form and directions. Marketing Kona A suggestion was made to establish the name Kona with the Kona Coffee Council so the Council would represent all Kona coffee, not just the KCC members. Epilogue The meeting was adjourned at 5:55 PM. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, April 1, 2004 (Yes, April Fool’s Day, and no tricks, please.) at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and if you have AN EMAIL ADDRESS please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, which is mailed to those who do not have email, emails re: up coming events/activities/reminders often times go out during the month between meetings. Having an email address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. Corrections to the Minutes should be sent to [email protected] CLASSIFIED: FOR SALE: Replacement elements for Sivetz coffee roaster heaters. Single element design replaces dual elements. Made in Kona $15.00 each. Ken Sheppard 895-0629. 5000 watt Generac gas powered generator $250. Three seat Ocean kayak $200. Large plastic igloo style dog kennels(2) $25 each. Chain link dog run 4ft x 10ft x 6ft high $40. Call Ken Sheppard 895-0629. WANTED: Used Sivetz heaters for spare parts and rebuilds. Good prices paid depending on condition/completeness. Ken Sheppard 895-0629. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, February 5, 2004 The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by President Roger Dilts. Roger introduced the new officers for year 2004. They are: Roger Dilts - President Sandra Scarr - Vice President Ed Paige - Secretary Bryce Decker - Treasurer He also introduced the rest of the Board who were in attendance: Grace De Aguiar - Membership Chair Roger Kaiwi-Machen Andy Roy Ken Sheppard Bob Smith - Estate Chair Announcements: The annual pruning seminar/workshop was scheduled for Saturday, February 7 at the Cedar House B&B. Bob Smith will be leading the workshop. Virginia announced the next topic for Coffee Talk will be Marketing. The meeting will be on Wednesday, February 11, at CTAHR beginning at 3 PM. Also, Virginia announced that she and Scott Nelson, Plant Pathologist at CTAHR, will be e-mailing a newsletter on coffee to all members of the Kona Coffee Council quarterly. Review and approval of the December minutes was postponed. Roger announced there were publications and advertisement literature available at the meeting as well the KCC bumper stickers. Strategic Planning The Strategic Planning session will be held on Saturday,February 28 at CTAHR. The session will begin at 10 AM. Coffee and doughnuts will be provided at 9:30 AM. Roger will facilitate and chair the meeting. We will be discussing our direction for one year, three years, and beyond. Treasurer's Report: $41,614 was in the bank with $2,181 in the Legal Fund. There was an overstatement of the amount for dues, and Roger will investigate that with Bryce. COMMITTEE REPORTS Estate Program: Bob Smith reported there were five new Estate applications. The applications include the TMK numbers and all applicants were paid up members of the KCC. Bob stated that Estate farms do not have to have state certification unless they are shipping green beans. The new Estates are: Aerie Farm Kena Coffee Corp. Makua Estate Moki's Farm Mountain Tree 100% Kona Coffee Estate OLD BUSINESS Ag Land Working Group Bruce Corker and Merle Wood, represent the KCC, and Nancy Pisicchio, represents the Farm Bureau. Bruce and Nancy gave an overview of recent activities. Background: In 1978 the Hawaii State Constitution was amended requiring the State to identify important agricultural lands. No action was taken until last year when the Department Of Agriculture formed the Ag Lands Working Group to make a recommendation to the legislature on important agricultural land. Membership was open to all interested parties, and the meetings were run by representatives from CTAHR. Bruce attended the meetings on behalf of the KCC, and Nancy represented the Kona County Farm Bureau. Bruce expressed a concern that although many good ideas were presented, "back room politics" and not the work of the committee would determine the recommendation to the legislature. Nancy said the large land owning companies and the land owning trusts do not want their land declared important agriculture land because they want to develop it. Currently, the procedure is the state would identify proposed ag lands. That information would be sent to the counties with no directions. The counties would weigh subjective criteria for their evaluation and send their recommendations to the state. Nancy also pointed out that the generic formula for determining ag lands used by other states does not fit Hawaii. A proposal for task forces at the local level was voted down. Sandra Scarr suggested that we may have more success by working at the local or county level. That we use a regional plan and emphasize the agricultural incentives in the current tax base, that are not in the new bill. A hearing on the bill, HB2800, was scheduled for February 7. The Board voted to send Bruce to that state meeting to vote against the bill. Coffee Bags Bob Smith reported that we are out of coffee bags and we need to decide whether to reorder. He will prepare a recommendation for the next meeting to purchase additional bags at approximately $1.09. HCA - 3X Coffee For Military Roger Kaiwi-Machen reported that the HCA was still in negotiations with the DOD for the sales of Hawaiian 3X coffee, including Kona 3X, to the military to be used as a coffee blend, utilizing 20% Hawaiian coffee, in the military's buy American program. The coffee used must be certified, but it does not promote Kona coffee or any other specific Hawaiian coffee. It will be sold to the military in a non-descript bag with a military part number. Previously, the KCC voted against this proposal because it could require the importation of four million pounds of green coffee with the possibility of importing pests and/or diseases that might affect our Kona coffee crop. However, if this deal is made and the green coffee is imported into the state, it will be imported and roasted on Oahu. thereby having no potential affect on Kona coffee. GM Coffee The Kona Coffee Council, Kona Farmers Alliance, Kona Pacific Coop, Hawaii Coffee Association, Hawaii Organic Farmers Association, and Hawaii Genetic Engineering Action Network unanimously resolve that Hawaii State must provide protection from GE crops on Hawaii island. Una Greenaway reported that reps of each organization are taking this resolution to their respective boards for approval. Then the resolution will be presented to Sandy Kumimoto and Andy Hashimoto at the Department of Agriculture for their review and approval so that we may protect Kona coffee from the threat of GM coffee. The KCC Board previously voted approval of this resolution. Kamehameha Schools/Leasehold Legal Fund Roger and representatives from the Farm Bureau and the Farmers Alliance are meeting with our lawyer on February 11 to review the current status of the leasehold proposal. This is critical for farms with leases about to expire. We are attempting to establish new leases so people will be able to qualify for thirty year mortgages. International Quilt Contest Rosemary Van der Horst gave a presentation on her progress toward establishing a Kona coffee quilting contest. Rosemary prepared a plan and a budget for establishing a quilt contest for the 2005 Kona Coffee Festival. This would be an International contest and she has contacted organizations in several European countries. Rosemary's initial estimate of the cost is $7,000, with $5,000 of that for prize money. In her plan the KCC would keep the first and second place quilts to be used as it sees fit. NEW BUSINESS Committee Chairs The next order of business was determining the new Chairpersons for the various committees. The results were: Policies and Procedures - Roger Dilts Seal Program - Jean Fike and Christine Sheppard Coffee Festival - Leta Schooler, Andy Roy, and Roger Kaiwi-Machen Estate - Bob Smith, Jim grace, and Jeff Seel Fund raising - open; Roger proposed individuals for each fund raiser, managed by him Legislative - Bruce Corker and Merle Wood Membership - Grace De Aguiar Education - Ken Sheppard, Mary Lou and Chuck Moss Promotion - Roger Dilts, Sandra Scarr, and Kathy Wood The above slate was approved by the Board. SCCA The SCAA has requested the HCA to provide GPS coordinates of Kona coffee farms to show the locations of the farms in relation to the rest of Hawaii. This information would be displayed on their web site. National Automatic Merchandising Association, NAMA NAMA is having a meeting on Hawaii. If you are interested in giving a farm tour, contact Roger by e-mail. Pacific Coast Coffee Association, PCCA The PCCA is having a meeting at the Hapuna Prince Hotel from September 13-18. The conference begins Thursday, September 16. More information is available on the HCA web site. They are also having a Kona coffee cupping contest on March 19 in Oakland, CA. The number of entries is limited to thirty with preference given to members of PCCA, then HCA, then all others. To enter you must send three separate bags of three pounds of green beans. Check to confirm a slot is available before shipping your green coffee. Information is available from: PCCA Lisa Mueller 49 Quayle Court #208 Walnut Creek, CA 94586 The meeting was adjourned at 5:45 PM. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, March 4,2004 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 PM. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly, January through December, basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec memberships will count as next year memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and If YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, which is mailed to those who do not have email, emails re: up coming events/activities/reminders often times go out during the month between meetings. Having an email address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. CLASSIFIED: FOR SALE: Replacement elements for Sivetz coffee roaster heaters. Single element design replaces dual elements. Made in Kona $15.00 each. Ken Sheppard 328-7345. WANTED: Used Sivetz heaters for spare parts and rebuilds. Good prices paid depending on condition/completeness. Ken Sheppard 328-7345. FOR SALE: 5000 watt Generac gas powered generator $250. Three seat Ocean kayak $200. Large plastic igloo style dog kennels(2) $25 each. Chain link dog run 4ft x 10ft x 6ft high $40. Call Ken or Christine Sheppard at 328-7345. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, November 6, 2003 Meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by President Roger Dilts. Several guests introduced selves. Review and approval of minutes was postponed until secretary's arrival. Treasurer's Report: Reconciled bank balance of $29,573.89 on September 30, 2003. Unreconciled bank balance of $34,142.20 on October 30, 2003. Included in the balances is the Leasehold Legal Fund with its current balance of $2,181.33. Among this month's receipts is a grant from Hawaii County of $ 4132.50 for the cupping seminar. As always, Bryce had detailed copies of the Treasurer's Report available . COMMITTEE REPORTS Fund raising-Festival: Jean Fike said coffee and our logo items will be available for sale after the Lantern Parade tomorrow and again on Saturday Nov 15, at Hale Halewai - volunteers are welcome. 100% Seals Jean reported 19 rolls were sold since last month and verification of coffee purchases from one seal buyer has been requested. Web Business Ed has been able to do two updates this month. He welcomes feed back, input, ideas, suggestions and photos at: [email protected] Estate Bob reported we're down to 250 coffee bags and should discuss if we will reorder. Legislative Howard presented some of the legislative issues the Farm Bureau will be presenting to the legislature. Will be sending a resolution requesting that anytime GMO introduction into the state is considered that the appropriate commodity group sit on the commission. Kona County Farm Bureau obtained a grant to promote ag tourism. There will be press releases providing further information. If you are interested you can be involved. A law passed (Federal law ) that all food processors (including coffee processors) have to be registered by December 12 - part of protecting the food supply from (bio)terrorism. Two web sites to check out for details: SCAA, and FDA. Restaurant Program Bruce Corker said six new restaurants have entered our Restaurant Recognition Program for serving 100% Kona Coffee and will be named in a November 11, 2003 ad in West Hawaii Today. They will also receive framed certificates attesting to their serving 100% Kona Coffee. The six new restaurants are: Huggo's, Oodles of Noodles, La Bourgogne, Hula Bean, Kimo Coffee Co. and Fairwind Cruises. Thank you to Pat Pearlman for doing the calligraphy on the certificates. Ag Working Group Informal org to put together a recommendation to the legislature on how to protect and conserve agricultural lands and to ID especially important agricultural lands. Oct 19 was the last meeting - Bruce attended as did Nancy Pisicchio, John Rey, Jim Greenwell and lots of Alexander & Baldwin reps. Bruce feels it continues to be window dressing and feels the proposal that comes out in Jan will look like what the governor has said in her speeches. Bruce's recommendation is that after the Nov 11th meeting, he, Roger Dilts and Nancy Pisicchio get together to decide what is the next step. Bruce agreed to continue attending the meetings. A motion was passed to allocate $1000. to send a representative to the ag working group meetings on Oahu. Membership We have 210 paid members. The Board agreed that memberships received in November or December will count for 2004 membership Memberships for all others (except for those who have already paid their 2004 dues) will expire December 31, 2003. When renewing please include an email address if you have one - saves time and $ to be able to send minutes by email - also lets you stay up to date on any info/events that come up between newsletters. KCC Dinner & Auction The WWOOFers (Mark & Janel) (Willing Workers On Organic Farms) at the Sheppards have tickets for those who have purchased and for those who would like to purchase. Have extra fabric? Contact Jean Fike ([email protected] or 322-8100) as she is making hats for members undergoing chemotherapy. Education Virginia said there will be a Coffee Growers Workshop during the Coffee Festival. No Coffee Talk this month , but December's Coffee Talk will be held on the second Wednesday of the month 3:30 to 5:00 at the CTAHR/Extension office in Kainaliu. Fund Raising No interest on part of the membership for a December "Made in Hawaii" event in Oahu. OLD BUSINESS Hawaii Coffee Association Roger currently attends the meetings as an individual member. November 12 HCA will meet at CTAHR offices 10-3. Meeting will include Ag Dept officials and topic will be Green Bean Importation. Also a discussion of GMOs (genetically modified Organisms) as relate to Kona Coffee. Presently there are no protocols in place re: Genetically Modified or Genetically Engineered Coffee. Farm organizations and interested groups have been meeting on the topic of GMOs and genetic engineering as relates to crops. NEW BUSINESS Annual General Meeting Saturday, Jan 3, 2004 at noon at the Kona Outdoor Circle. There will be nominations and election of Board Members. There are several Board positions available. About half the Board stands for election every year - two year terms - so that there is continuity and new blood. Please consider running for the Board - it's fun, involving, lots of work and brings satisfaction from being involved with the coffee community and the wider agricultural and political communities. You really CAN make a difference. Contact Pres Roger Dilts by e-mail, at [email protected] or 328-9722 by phone; or Christine Sheppard by e-mail at [email protected] or 328-7345 by phone, if you would like to nominate yourself or suggest someone else for the Board. NOTE: The date and location of the annual general meeting have changed from the time the above announcement was made at the Nov 6, 2003 meeting. The new date, location, time and menu will be available soon. Roger would like to have the Board Develop a Strategic Plan. International Quilt Contest Rosemary Van der Horst said she was interested in helping to form a committee to put on a quilt contest involving entries from all over the world with Coffee being the topic. Her emphasis was on making this a world class event with advertisements in various national and international quilting magazines and journals to draw entries from the world's best with recognized judges being involved. If interested in exploring this idea please contact Rosemary at 323-3568 or a Board member to let Board member(s) know whether you think this is an idea the KCC should pursue. Spring Blossom Festival Allan Frank asked if the Board wanted to sponsor in 2004 a plant sale, flea market and the "taste of Kona" coffee tasting and public voting event as we did this year. The meeting was ajourned at 5:35. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, December 4,2003 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly January through December basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join (except Nov and Dec 2003 memberships will count as 2004 memberships). Please send to PO Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750: your name, your farm or business name, your mailing address, your phone number and If YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, which is mailed to those who do not have email, emails re: upcoming events/activities/reminders often times go out during the month between meetings. Having an email address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. THANK YOU for Your Donations of Green Coffee to the Coffee Workshops Aloha Farms (Roger Dilts) Na po'okela O Honaunau (Howard Yamasaki) Kanalani Ohana Farm (Melanie Bondera) Woods Captain Cook Estate (Merle and Kathy Wood) Lehuula Farms (Bob Nelson) Koa Coffee Co (Marin & Cathy Artukovich) THANK YOU For Donating Your Wonderful Kona Coffee for our Annual Dinner & Auction: REDBIRD COFFEE (Gail & Ken Hennig) full on caffeine FIKE FARMS (Jean & George Fike) decaffeinated THANK YOU, Victoria Scott of Ali'I Printing, for Donation of Artwork for Dinner & Cupping Advertisement BIMA - Fall Fashion Event. Saturday November 29 (the Saturday after Thanksgiving) Big Island designer and Kona Coffee Council member, Lisa Corker, will present her new Island line of natural fiber women's clothing at the Kona Outdoor Circle from 10 am - 1pm. Admission is complimentary - open to the public - everyone welcome. Bima will be presenting its first Big-Island made styles - beautiful, comfortable and versatile. FREE Mulch - processed green waste is available at the Hilo and Kealakehe Transfer Stations. Free loading services are currently being offered at the Kealakehe site. Loading fees apply at the Hilo site and vary by vehicle size. According to Diana Duff of the Kona Outdoor Circle, the mulch is great for ornamentals and fruit (coffee) trees, though not recommended for the vegetable garden. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, October 2, 2003 Meeting was called to order at 4:03 pm by President Roger Dilts. Two visitors from Japan introduced themselves by saying they are starting a Kona Coffee franchise store in Japan selling only Kona Coffee and are in Kona to buy green beans from different farmers. Company name: Dotfree Co, Ltd; buyer - Masaski Ogai; email [email protected], phone 808 575-9566 if wish to contact. Dexter and Virginia Washburn introduced selves as new members and said this the first meeting they've been able to attend. Janelle, Mark and Vanessa introduced themselves as three wwoofers from Ken and Christine Sheppard's farm. Approval of minutes was postponed to next meeting due to lateness of September minutes getting out. Treasurer's Report: Reconciled bank balance on August 31, 2003: $28,234.21. Unreconciled bank balance on September 30, 2003: $29,573.89. Included in the balances shown is the Leasehold Legal Fund with its current balance of: $2,282.89. Kona Coffee Cultural Festival November 6 - November 16, 2003 - The Kona Coffee Council is involved in many events during the Festival which means there are LOTS OF OPPORTUNITIES FOR YOU TO VOLUNTEER AND TO BE INVOLVED. Friday Nov 7 Lantern Parade -. Jean and George Fike have this covered. Tuesday, Nov 11 Cupping Training with Ken Davids - 9-12 & 1-4. Contact Chuck Moss at 329-4035 or email at [email protected] for reservations and to Volunteer to assist. Wednesday Nov 12, 9 - 2 and Thursday November 13 , 9 - 12 We will be selling donated coffee, Festival Buttons, our tshirts , hats and canvas carry bags at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort during the Coffee Cupping Competition preliminaries 9-2 on Wed and the Coffee Cupping Finals on Thursday 9 - 12. Volunteers are needed to help with set-up , selling and take down. An easy way to help the Kona Coffee Council , check out the website and label competition, check on the cupping competition and view and enjoy the coffee art exhibit and competition. Definitely not hard duty. Contact: Jean or George Fike to volunteer. Phone: 322 - 8100 or email: [email protected] DONATIONS of bagged, roasted (whole bean or ground) half pound or whole pound coffee are needed. We will be selling your donated coffee after the Lantern Parade, on Wed and Thurs at Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort during the cupping preliminaries and final competitions and on Saturday Nov 15 at the International Marketplace at Hale Halawai People can contact you to reorder as your label will be on your coffee. To DONATE please contact Jean or George Fike at 322-8100 or [email protected] or Roger Dilts at 328-0604. Thursday, November 13th Kona Coffee Council Buffet Dinner & Benefit Auction 6 - 9 pm Ohana Keauhou Resort Ballrooms 1 & 2. Plan to attend this lively social gathering with those involved with the coffee industry. $35 with Festival Button includes dinner, silent auction, live auction and entertainment. Reservations required, call 328 - 7345. No money will be collected at the door for tickets - please pay when you order. The tickets will be limited to 175 with a cut-off date of November 11. Last year we were sold out at least a week before the cut-off date. Saturday Nov 15 International Marketplace - at Hale Halawai from 9 - 3. We will be offering samples of Kona Coffee and we will be selling hot and iced coffee, donated roasted coffee, and our tshirts , hats and bags. The shifts are two hours but you may stay longer if you'd like. Jean and George will set up around 6:30 am , but won't turn away anyone who wants to help them then. Lots of activities going on that you can check out before or after your shift. Please contact Jean or George Fike to volunteer and tell them which shift - 9-11, 11-1 or 1-3 and tear down - you would like to have. Fikes: 322-8100. Thursday Nov 13, 1-5 and/or Friday Nov 14th, sell your own Kona Coffee at Hale Halawai 9-3. To participate call Alfrieda Fujita 329 - 3457 for details and to tell her if you want to sell either or both days. No cost/charge for selling. COMMITTEE REPORTS Web Business: Would like to set up brainstorming session so can make sure all members views get heard re: what want the website to do, be, have. Contact Ed at 328-1131 or by email [email protected] if you would like to meet early December on website design and content. Estate: Bob Smith said 3 new estate applications for the Board to review. When one applies for Estate status Bob says he doesn't count all your trees, but he does visit. Legislative: Howard said nothing on tap now. Putting in for reinstatement of monies for R & D and Market Development. October 5 - Sunday - coffee labeling law goes into final effect and state can start enforcing. Stating Kona Coffee on the label implies, after October 5, 2003, 100% Kona Coffee . Can't use "pure" as in "pure Kona coffee" or "100% pure Kona Coffee". Division of Weights and Measures website has the specifics. Agricultural Theft: Trying to get Ag Theft put into felony classification. Post "Private Property" sign on your property and you can call police on trespassers who ignore sign ( sign provides you with legal justification). You do not need to cite the trespassing statute on the sign. If you experience agricultural theft (of cherry, equipment, supplies, suspicious trespassing, anything) PLEASE report it to the police. Even if you're certain there's no way your property or the thief(ves) will be found, report the theft. Even if theft happened several months ago report it to police and explain you want the theft on record. This will give us farmers some backup/justification for requesting stronger legislation and more police presence in agricultural areas. Education: Chuck Moss said that the Coffee Cupping Workshop will be be held Tuesday, November 11, 2003 at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort. The training will again be led by Ken Davids but this time he will focus on comparing Kona coffees to one another. The sessions will be: 9-12 and 1-4 . The sessions are the same so only need to sign up for one session. Contact Chuck Moss at 329-4035 or email at [email protected] for reservations and/or questions. The cost is $15 and is payable by check (to the Kona Coffee Council) and mailed to: Chuck Moss 74-4993 Mamalahoa Hwy Holualoa, HI 96725. Payment by Visa or Mastercard is also acceptable. VOLUNTEERS needed for both sessions. Please contact Chuck Moss to volunteer - 329-4035 or [email protected]. As with all Kona Coffee Cultural Festival events - a Festival Button is required. Buttons are $3 this year - first price increase since the Festival began. Virginia said the Coffee Roasting class will be November 6 & 7 (1 day class, 2 sessions). Coffee Talk: Oct 8 will be on 2 fungi that are causing sunken spots on coffee berry and die back. 100% Roasted Seal Program 38 rolls were sold, 26 to one person/company. Jean and Roger will write a letter to thank the buyer for support of our 100% roasted program. Fund Raising and Promotion: County Farm Bureau Farm Fair - Mahalo to: Jean & George Fike Bob Nelson Merle & Kathy Wood Bob & Cea Smith David Baine Mark Santiago Jim & Pat Hope Grace De Aguiar Sandra Scarr Chuck & Mary Lou Moss Patti Stratton Ed Paige, and Roger Dilts for the wonderful job you all did as volunteers at our booth. Our presence at the Fair was important to the farm Bureau and to the local community. Our booth raised over $800, which is thought to be a Farm Fair record for us. Advertising and budget remaining for 2003 - Allan would like input re: what we'd like to see in upcoming ads and where we'd like to see promotional advertising. Roger speaking as a member not as president, said he would like to see some of our advertising/promotional money go to our website. Contact Allan at : [email protected] Farms and operations available for touring - Roger said Jack's Tours will give us a non-profit discount In connection with possible farm tours during the Conservation Districts' convention. It was suggested that we have one or two tours during the convention in addition to one or more after. Still looking for more members who would be interested in having their farms toured by a group of 25 or fewer people at some time in the future. If you would be interested in having your farm toured please contact Roger Dilts at 328-0604. Bumper stickers - put them on your vehicles. OLD BUSINESS Leasehold/Kamehameha Schools Roger reported there have been no changes or updates since the last meeting. Agricultural land working group No one attended the last meeting. Bruce Corker will attend the next meeting and report the happenings at November KCC meeting. GMO Topic: Introduction of Genetically Modified Coffee into Kona. After much discussion of this topic, including a reading of Hawaii County Resolution #23602 which supported developing regional review protocols involving affected parties prior to considering the introduction of any amount of GM Kona coffee into the North and/or South Kona Districts, it was suggested that the Kona Coffee Council survey members to find out how much they know about Genetically Modified Kona Coffee. Our (KCC's) position of total opposition to genetically modified Kona coffee hasn't changed, but want to find out if members who don't attend meetings have enough information on the GMO/Kona Coffee Issue to make informed decisions. Maybe a questionnaire/survey of membership? A place on the website where one can express an opinion on this issue? Email Roger Dilts at: [email protected] with your ideas. NEW BUSINESS KCC highway cleanup Meet this Saturday, October 4, at 9 am, at the Church of the Latter Day Saints by mile marker 105. Kathy Wood explained it takes about 1-2 hours to clean "our highway" which is between mile markers 105 and 107. Wear sunscreen, real shoes and bring a hat. Equipment and vests provided - just show up. HCA A suggestion was made that we look at membership in HCA. This will be an agenda item for the November meeting. Roger said there will be a Meeting Nov 12 in Kona of State of Hawaii Dept of Agriculture officials, HCA and interested parties. KCC historical materials Ken Sheppard said he needs someone(s) to sort/file/archive two boxes of KCC historical material. Also needed is a place for sorted materials to be stored. Minutes, newspaper clippings, etc etc. There is room in the KCC storage area for the boxes - Call Ken Sheppard at 328-7345 if you can help with this project. The meeting was adjourned at 5:35. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will take place on Thursday, November 6, 2003 at CTAHR/Ag extension office in Kainaliu at 4 pm. ********************************************************************** For Sale: 1983 Ford F350 flat bed truck. Good for hauling cherry. Low mileage. $2500. Call 328 - 2522 and leave a message. We'll call you back. Schooler Farms. ******************************************************************** Bob Nelson is now custom processing coffee. Phone: 322 - 2902 ******************************************************************** I am creating a private coffee label for the finest Kona whole bean coffee. Who in Hawaii would pack Kona Coffee under my label? Please contact me. Geoffrey Rezek PO Box 1611 Darien, CT 06820-1611 (203 ) 655 - 0067 ******************************************************************** Do you have a Coffee Shack available for partial exchange for general farm labor and caretaking? A graduate of Konaweana and Culinary School now working at Four Seasons and her husband, who has his own landscape business, would like to talk with you. Contact: Candelaria Onyeabor at 322-0025. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, September 4, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Vice President Roger Dilts. Mariko Laurie, a doctoral student at Oxford introduced herself and thanked Coffee Council for its help on her thesis research. Special Election Roger explained that Christine's resignation due to health reasons, was from the position of President and not from the Board; which is why an election for President needs to be held rather than Vice President automatically succeeding to President's position. Election was held among Board members including three proxies from absent Board members which provided a quorum. Roger Dilts was elected President of the Kona Coffee Council and resigned his position as Vice President. A second vote was held and Christine Sheppard was elected Vice President. Minutes from the previous meeting were accepted as written. Treasuer's Report: Unreconciled balance from August 31, 2003 $28, 234.21. Included in this balance is $3400. in the Leasehold Fund.. The expenses ($2340.76) were mainly for Made In Hawaii as was much of the income ($5414.64). Bryce mentioned he has only about 150 of our burlap coffee bags left in his garage. Treasuer's report was accepted as given and, as usual, Bryce had detailed copies of the month's expense/income transactions available for view. COMMITTEE REPORTS Education: Chuck Moss asked for a $550. increase in the Education budget for the purpose of participating along with the Co-op and CTAHR in presenting 2 sessions of a coffee roasting seminar training during the coffee festival. There will be a charge to participants which will go to paying back CTAHR, CO-OP and Kona Coffee Council in proportion to their donations. The $550. was approved b y the board . Membership: we now have 189 paid members Web Business: Ed mentioned his PC has been down but has lots of plans for members only site which will have info on and links to machinery, legislation, Genetic engineering, info of general use to Kona Coffee Council members and more. Please send comments/questions/suggestions re: website to Ed at: [email protected]. Salesroom: Still going and getting lots of hits Virginia, Coffee Talk, and Howard, Legislation, are at an Ag Tourism Conference so are not here. Coffee Talk Second Wednesday of each month at CTAHR in Kainaliu from 3:30-5. Legislation: Howard left message that he may be asking for our opinions on Bill 255 which relates to ag activities on ag property. 100% Roasted seals: Jean reported 19 rolls had been sold in August. HCA: Leta reported that the HCA will hold 6-8 meeting in Kona each year to accommodate Kona and other Hawaii Island coffee farmers/members. Roger congratulated Leta on her election to President of the Hawaii Coffee Association. Promotion: Allan reported that the Made In Hawaii promotion was a great success. Brought about 120 pounds of estate coffee and about 120 pounds from Farm Bureau/KCC booth at State Farm Bureau Fair. Need to set up committees or get more volunteers and we could do the Christmas Made In Hawaii event, also. County Farm Fair: September 11-14. Roger will assume the now vacant position of Chair of Fund Raising until January when a new Board takes over. Short time to get donations - sending a sign-up sheet around for donations and another for volunteers to work at Farm Fair in KCC booth. Drop coffee donations off at extension office in Kainaliu or at the KCC booth at the farm Fair. Coffee Festival: November 6 through 16. We will be participating in and need help for these events: International Lantern Parade- Friday Nov 7; Cupping Workshop- Tuesday Nov 11; Cupping Contest-Wed and Thurs Nov 12 & 13; KCC benefit auction and dinner Thurs, Nov 13, and International Marketplace Saturday Nov 15. Christine still working on Dinner portion but will need help closer to event. Estate: Bob had no report-no changes Old Business Ag Working Group: Bruce off-Island and will wait for his return for report. Merle said that it is very important that a KCC rep be at the meetings to represent the Kona coffee farmers views as our land is among those at risk. He also recommended that we make a budget item to cover cost of flights to Honolulu for our representative. Leasehold: Negotiations continuing. Frank Jung will be presenting our rewritten leasehold agreement to Kamehameha schools lawyers and Bob Rosehill. National Association of Conservation Districts: Will be meeting Feb 2-5 in Waikoloa, two to three thousand people expected to attend. When Bob Nelson brought this to our attention he said that attendees would be looking for interesting excursions and suggested maybe do a one day coffee farms tour. Roger checked into insurance - available for $200-250 for one day events liability insurance. Would require that bus/van drivers have liability insurance for their part of tour. Feb 6th probably the best date. Contact Roger at: 328-0604 or [email protected] if you want your farm visited and/or have additional input for him. Board authorized $300 for Roger to pursue insurance . GMO: Christine was working on putting together a meeting with Farmers Alliance, Co-op, Kona Farm Bureau, KCC to meet with Sandra Kunimote and UH Dean. Roger will take over Christine's role on this project. NEW BUSINESS Road Cleanup: Oct 4-The first Saturday in October is our turn to clean-up our section of Mamalahoa which is between the 105 and 107 mile markers . We will meet at 9 at Church of Latter Day Saints to get instructions and pick up equipment. Please, wear real shoes, sunscreen and bring hats. No children or pets. Seminar for Agriculture Leaders: Roger has flyers for additional info Frogs: Merle commented that the state is not doing much re: the cocqui frogs , certainly not the way state responded to the bunchy top banana virus. Merle's concern is the frogs are just as much an environmental and potential economic problem as other problems the state has responded to in terms of modification and/or attempts at eradication. Meeting was adjourned. The next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will be Thursday, October 2, 2003, at 4 pm at Ctahr in Kainaliu. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is on a yearly January through December basis. The dues are $20 no matter what time of year you join. Please send to address at top of newsletter your membership info: your name, your farm or business name, your address, your phone number and IF YOU HAVE AN EMAIL ADDRESS please write it in. In addition to the newsletter, which is mailed to those who do not have email, emails re: upcoming events/activities/reminders often times go out during the month between meetings , Having an email address and updating it as necessary will help to keep you more informed. ******************************************************************** WANTED: Person to sort, collate and preserve two boxes of KCC historical material. Minutes, newspaper clippings, etc. etc. Call Ken Sheppard 328-7345. ******************************************************************** Got Weeds? Professional Weed Cutting Service specializing in Mom & Pop farms, Coffee/Fruit orchards and estates. References available - Wood Captain Cook Estate (Kathy & Merle Wood) Pele Plantations (Gus & Cynthia Brocksen) and more. Please call new Kona Coffee Council member, Dustin Strom at 960-3294. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, August7, 2003 The meeting was called to order by Vice President Roger Dilts. No visitors or new members present. The minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as written. Treasurer's Report: Reconciled Bank Balance as of June 30, 2003 - $29,434.52; Unreconciled Bank Balance on July 31, 2003 - $25,160.31. Included in the balances stated is the Leasehold Legal Fund with its own balance of $3,400.00. As usual, Bryce brought detailed copies of the month's income and expenses for members to view. COMMITTEE REPORTS Roasted Seals: No sales this month. Education: Coffee Talk topic this month will be Calibrating Moisture Meters. Bring your moisture meters to the meeting. Coffee Talk Wednesday, August 13, 2003 at CTAHR 3:30-5. Coffee Talk is the second Wednesday 3:30 to 5 at CTAHR each month. Kona County Farm Bureau's Annual Membership Meeting is Friday August 15, 2003, 6:00-8:00pm at CTAHR. Bring your legislative concerns. Election of Directors. November 11, 2003, Coffee Cupping Seminar with Ken Davids at Ohana Keauhou Beach Hotel during Coffee Cultural Festival. Sign-up sheet will be circulated soon. Waiting list people (people who could not get in to the June Cupping Seminar) will have priority. There are about 40 seats available. Ken passed around lots of info: copy of Gerald Kinro's book, Fresh Cup magazines, Magazine articles , Passionate Harvest - Ken Davids' video which can be checked out from the Sheppards and photos of recent events. Estate: no report. Festival: (Roger read Christine's written report) We have booked and paid a deposit on the Ohana Keauhou Resort for the Dinner on Nov. 13th and for the Ken Davids Cupping on Nov. 11th. We will be placing our ad in the Festival Booklet this month. Financial Planning/Budget: Nothing new. Legislative: Governor vetoed all money bills.. Legislature overturned the CTAHR and research bills vetoes. Senate Bill 255 was vetoed by governor but veto overturned by legislature. Howard explained it wasn't a well written bill and will probably have to be rewritten in next legislative session. He continued that big land owners are angry about the bill and Howard feels Kamehameha Schools probably won't negotiate further on leases until K. Schools are allowed to put restrictions in leases. Membership: 185 paid members for 2003. Promotion/Fund Raising: Bruce gave the report as Allan off-Island. August 15-17 Made In Hawaii Festival in Honolulu. We'll be selling about 100#s of coffee left from the State Farm Fair along with the donated roasted and labeled coffee from our members. September 11-14 is the Big Island Farm Fair at the old Airport park. We usually have a booth there and will again this year. Sales Room: no report. Web Business: Ed Paige described some of the many updated parts of the website, new sections and expanded links for those who want to be linked i.e. restaurants in our Restaurant Recognition Program will be listed on website with links to the restaurants website. Photo Gallery of KCC events. Please send photos to Ed. I.D. who/what's in photo so he can place on website. Ed still has dial-up service so send 1 photo per email (may send many emails in a row 1 picture each). Check out the website! If you find anything that needs correcting , please contact Ed at [email protected]. Hawaii State Farm Fair Roger thanked everyone who worked at the Hawaii State Farm Fair. It went very well. Sold about 60% of coffee taken to the Fair which was over 100 pounds more than last year. We'll probably net out $2000. after selling the rest at Made In Hawaii Festival. Most of what is left is ground and will be sampled before putting it out for sale to make sure it has that fresh Kona coffee taste. Three KCC members who live on Oahu came to help us. A suggestion was made to partially pay for donated coffee. OLD BUSINESS Ag Working Group: Bruce Corker gave report. AWG is headed by head of Dept of Ag and Dean of UH CTAHR July 24(2nd of Bruce's meetings)most of attendees were either state employees or representatives of large landowners. Principal responsibility seems to be with the state Dept of Agriculture. Bruce feels it's important for us in Kona to stay involved. Next meeting is August 19. A Farmers Alliance meeting discussed putting together a local Kona Ag Land Coalition (Nancy Pisicchio, Merle Wood, Bruce Corker, Nita Isherwood ((or another Co-op member)) ) to meet here and present input to the Ag Working Group in Oahu. If you are interested in being involved, please contact one of those named. Virginia supplied the following web address to get more info on the Ag Working Group: www.CTAHR.hawaii.edu/awg. Restaurant Recognition Program: honored 20 West Hawaii restaurants. Christine created the certificates and Lisa and Bruce framed them. A framed certificate was passed around . Probably have another ad in late September including new restaurants added to the program. Bruce thanked Ed for the website links option for the restaurants. It was suggested that KCC coordinate with the Cultural Festival and do ads late Oct or early Nov for greater impact. Bruce will check out labeling law re: requirements if any) for menus that say Kona coffee is served. Leasehold Fund (Christine's report was read by Roger) The Committee met and reviewed the work that Frank Jung had done, requested some clarifications and some additional suggested lease language, which Jung completed and returned to us. The Committee then decided unanimously to ask Jung to proceed to the next phase, presenting our suggested revisions to Jung. The estimate for this phase was $3000-$4000. Jung sent us a new contract which was signed by all four organizations (KFA, KPFC, KCFB, KCC) and returned to Jung together with a check for $1500. retainer, from the KCC Leasehold account. On Friday, July 25th, Larry Baird and Christine Sheppard met with Jung to finalize the instructions. Frank Jung's next step is to contact Kamehameha Schools corporate counsel in Honolulu to arrange to send them the requested revisions. Although Bob Rosehill had requested of us that Jung work through him, Frank explained that it was not possible, he has a legal duty that requires him to only make contact with Kamehameha Schools lawyers. Genetically Engineered Coffee: Sandra Kunimoto, Chair of the State Dept of Agriculture, is working with Dr Hashimoto, Dean of CTAHR, to arrange a meeting in the late part of September among the University, Dept of Ag and the Kona Coffee Stakeholders on the issue of permits for field trials of GE coffee. NEW BUSINESS Ag Theft: (Christine's written report) Dr Kent Fleming of UH Dept of Tropical Plants and Soil Sciences is making a proposal to the USDA Risk Management Agency for a grant to develop a "Hawaii Agricultural Theft Management Strategy." On behalf of the KCC, I sent a letter of support for the proposal. Starbucks Request: (Christine written report) We have received a letter from Starbucks asking me, as President of the KCC, to sign and have notarized a statement in support of their claim that the term "decaf" is a generic term. Apparently someone is attempting to trademark the term "decaf". I think it would not be in the coffee industry's interest for such generic terms to be trademarked - it devalues the use of genuine trademarked terms such as "Kona Coffee". Unless the Board has objections I plan to sign the statement as requested. The Board voted to have Christine sign the statement. National Association of Conservation Districts will be meeting here February 1 through 5, 2004. Kona Soil and Water Conservation District is a member. Bob Nelson said the organizers are looking for things for people to do and asked if the KCC would be interested in hosting Farm Tours (such as the ones we used to do during the Cultural Festival). Leta Schooler, who originated and organized the farm tours, felt it would be a good idea. KCC will investigate this to see if there is interest on the part of the membership. The meeting adjourned at 5 pm. The next meeting will be Thursday, September 4, 2003 at CTAHR at 4 pm. ******************************************************************** Fortune Aspen Conference While buying Roasted Seals from Bryce, David Knight mentioned they were for coffee going to the Fortune Aspen Conference. Too interesting not to follow up - David was asked to write a brief summary of how Kona Coffee was received at the event. Here is a brief summary of the Aspen Conference. This conference is a gathering of approximately 250 world leaders from Government and business. Attendees this year included Bill Clinton, Madeline Albright, several Presidents of other countries, and CEOs of many fortune 500 companies. The goal of the conference is to have these world leaders address the problems of the future. Kona Premium Coffee Company was selected to supply coffee for the event. Kona coffee was to be featured as a very special product made available for this conference by the organizers, and highlighted as a "best in the world" American made product. During the three day conference signage was posted at each coffee station during the daily meetings detailing that the coffee provided was 100% Kona. The providing of 100% Kona was also announced at the dinner attended by all participants, and each attendee to the conference as well as other dignitaries were given a 2 oz bag of Kona coffee to carry back to their country or place of business. According to the wrapup reports that we received, the Kona coffee theme for the conference was a success. During the three day conference the attendees consumed twice the amount of coffee than was expected, in spite of 80 degree weather in Aspen. So we are very happy that the great products of the Kona coffee industry have gotten a little more exposure. Mahalo David Kona Premium Coffee Company Holualoa, Kona, Hawaii WWW.KonaPremium.com **************************************************** We are attempting to locate a supplier of potted coffee plants in Hawaii. Plants can be grown from seed or tissue culture / cloned plants. Please contact me via email at [email protected] or by phone 808/248-7533 ask for Susie. Mahalo. ********************************************************************************* Holualoa -prime acreage, partially fenced. 1-3 years free, after that terms negotiable. ONLY for coffee and other plants. 331 - 2293. *********************************************************************************************************** From Bruce Corker: Thank you to all who donated coffee for the Made In Hawaii Festival - KCC members donated 165.5 pounds of roasted bagged coffee plus we also brought 120 pounds of State Farm Fair coffee. Our generous donors: Heavenly Hawaiian; Redbird Kona Coffee Farm; Huahua Farm; Dragon's Lair Coffee Estate; Hapaki Farms; Kealaola; Lehuula Farms; Daily Fix Coffee; Kona Premium; Na Po'okela O Honaunau; Kanalani Ohana Farm; Hope Family Farms; Kona Café; Kona Coffee and Tea; Hula Bean; Koa Coffee Plantation; Pele Plantations; Sugai Coffee; Volcanic; Lehuulani; Kona Historical Society; Kona Rainforest Coffee; Mountain Thunder; Greenwell Farms; Blue Sky Coffee; Tropical Temptations--chocolate items. A very successful promotional event for the Council. All 285 pounds of 100% Kona coffee was sampled or sold. We were delighted to learn that a majority of the Honolulu Festival attendees seemed to be well aware of the differences between Kona Blends and 100% Kona Coffees. *************************************************************** For those of you who did not receive this email. Christine is now at home. Dear Board and Membership, It is with great regret that I hereby resign as President of the Kona Coffee Council. I am currently in hospital with an infection of the lymph system. The prognosis is good, but recovery to full health will be a lengthy process and will require all my efforts for the next several months. I have always kept the Board fully apprised of any actions I am engaged in for the Kona Coffee Council, and have the pleasure of having a competent and hard-working Board so there should be no loss of momentum in our projects. I will of course continue to take a keen interest and hope to be able to add my efforts to the welfare of Kona coffee as soon as I am fully well again. Sincerely, Christine Sheppard Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, July 3, 2003 The meeting was called to order at 4:05 pm by President Christine Sheppard. Allan Krissman introduced himself and his wife as new members. Minutes were accepted as written. Treasurer's report: Unreconciled June 30 balance of $29,434.52 (which includes the Leasehold Legal Fund money of $3400). Treasurer's report was accepted as given. COMMITTEE REPORTS 100% Roasted Seals: Bryce reported $450 in sticker sales since the last meeting. Bryce is subbing for Jean Fike until she returns from the mainland. Education Coffee Cupping Training Seminar was held with 64 attendees. Quite a popular event with a wait list. Wait listed people go to head of list for the November 11 repeat event at the Ohana Keauhou. Great event. We all learned a lot. Many thanks to the volunteers : Ken, Christine, Candace, Cea, Chuck Moss, Stefanie, Lara, Mary Lou Moss, Satsuki and Stephanie Conant . Many thanks to Ken and Chuck for putting together such an excellent event. Coffee Talk will not be held in July. Next Coffee Talk will be August 13 at CTAHR. Moisture meters is the topic - bring yours if you have one. Estate 53 estate members, one application is pending. 20 of our Kona Coffee Council sacks are going to the Farm Fair to be sold. NOTE: Bryce Decker is now the holder of the bags - contact him at [email protected] to purchase. Festival Nothing new to report except we may change the coffee training seminar in November to Kona Outdoor Circle (from Ohana Keahou) as the room at the Ohana does not have kitchen facilities which we need. Financial Planning/Budgets Bryce had updated financial info available as a handout. Legislative The governor vetoed the Farm Bureau money bills. Promotion/Fund Raising Bruce Corker reported for Allan who is off Island. August is the Made In Hawaii Expo on Oahu -August 15 - 17. We will be selling half pound and one pound bags, both ground and whole bean. This is a really easy way to get your name and your coffee out to the public. KCC gets the money from the sale but the purchaser has your bag with contact information for repeat sales. A sign up sheet for coffee donations was passed around. Contact Bruce Corker at: Email: [email protected], or 322-1740 to donate coffee. Sales Room need more members to make salesroom more self sufficient. Website still experimenting with new software. OLD BUSINESS Ag working group Bruce went to Honolulu for an a.m. meeting of subgroups and an afternoon full group meeting. We (KCC) should continue as participants and think through what sort of Ag and Conservation lands would be good for Kona. Bruce feels it is important for us to participate but not necessarily be at every meeting (all on Oahu at this point). Bruce will set up a small committee with himself, Howard Yamasaki and a few others he feels might be interested. Contact Bruce if you are interested. Restaurant Recognition Program Our ad recognizing 20 restaurants that serve 100% Kona coffee was in the Thursday, June 26, 2003 issue of West Hawaii Today. Received three contacts from restaurants that were left out. We will post restaurant names on our website and will ask restaurants for their website name and if restaurants want to be linked with our website. If they want to be linked Ed can do it. The framed recognition certificates will be given to the 20 restaurants and in the future, to others that qualify. Borders Coffee Tasting Thank you to the farmers who did the tastings at the Borders event: Stephanie Conant (Kona Rainforest); Website: www.konarainforestcoffee.com; Tom Butler; Gary Williams (Kona Coffee Connection); Website: www.KonaCoffeeConnection.com Melanie Bondera (Kanalani Ohana Farm); Website: www.kanalanifarm.org David Knight (Kona Premium Coffee Co; Website: www.konapremium.com Liz Zagorodney (Kona Coffee & Tea Co). The setup and displays were very inviting. Borders was very happy with us and the book, A Cup of Aloha by Gerald Kinro, sold out. HCA - Strategic Planning Session Copies of typed stratregic plan will go to participants (we sent two - Sandra Scarr and Ray Young) and will be available after we receive them. Leasehold Fund A $1500 check has been written for the next stage which is for our attorney, Frank Jung, to start talking with Kamehameha School lawyers re: our problems with the lease. State Farm Fair Coffee Donations - 605 pounds of green bean were collected with KCC donating 42% which means we'll get 42% of the profits. Thank you donors. NEW BUSINESS Ag Theft There has been an upsurge in ag theft and theft of agricultural equipment. We need to know the figures so if anything is stolen or you know of theft (reported to police or not) please tell Christine as she is compiling a list for Sandra Kunimoto. Drought damaged beans Tommy Greenwell's info on this will appear in next newsletter Meeting was adjourned at 5 pm. Next meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will be Thursday, August 7, at 4 pm at the CTAHR office in Kainaliu. ********************************************************************************************** Ducks Three free Khaki Campbell ducks - terrific ducks- we just can't keep them anymore. If interested, please contact Howard Conant at 328-1941. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, June 5, 2003 The meeting was called to order at 4 pm by President Christine Sheppard. Representative Bob Herkes - Christine introduced our honored guest, Representative Bob Herkes, who spoke about the recent Legislative session. The resolution to review Agricultural Department rules and requirements re: green bean importation, he feels is not dead i.e. could be rewritten and reintroduced. We need to inform Rep Herkes on bills we would like to see become law, what bills we need and we must be ready to provide testimony in support of the bills we want. Several other issues including water, air quality issues near a particular coffee processor and the "ice problem" were brought up by attendees and Rep Herkes. The minutes were accepted as written. Treasurer's report: Was accepted as given. The major expenses this month were for the Educational Coffee Growing Seminar, for the Cupping Seminar and for the Honolulu Airport display. OLD BUSINESS 1. Meeting with Linda Lingle (5/26) - Christine brought up the issues of green coffee importation and ag water. Christine felt it was a very good meeting, Governor Lingle listened, asked relevant questions and asked what the Kona Coffee Council wanted from the state. 2. Meeting with Sandy Kunimoto (5/20) - talked in particular about the County resolution re: GMO coffee and she said she will follow up on it. 3. Agricultural Working Group - Meeting to protect ag lands - most of participants are major landowners which concerned us (KCC). Kona farms and Kona farmers groups have been invited to attend and participate - meetings in Oahu. 4. HCA Strategic Planning - Christine and Sandra Scarr will attend for us. 5. Leasehold Fund - Lawyer Frank Jung looked at all the things we wanted him to look at, provided new language and a group met with him on Sunday to point out other items to look at more closely and to reword. Cost of Jung's meeting with Kamehameha schools to negotiate the changes we want were discussed. Turns out we were right to be concerned. It's back in Mr. Jung's hands now to review and rewrite. 6. Honolulu Airport Display - Lisa Corker and Christine showed photos of the display they set up at Honolulu Airport. Looked good! 7. SCAA - photos from the convention taken by Cea and Bob Smith were shown and passed around. 8. Restaurant Recognition Program - Bruce Corker said a list of participating restaurants will be in an ad in West Hawaii Today this month and the restaurants will get framed certificates from the KCC recognizing their participation . If a restaurant serves 100% Kona Coffee take time to find and thank the manager. If it doesn't offer Kona Coffee seek out the manager/owner to ask them to consider offering 100% Kona Coffee. Encourage visitors to ask for 100% Kona Coffee with meals . Reminder that it is illegal to sell Kona coffee blend as Kona. NEW BUSINESS 1. NCRS - if you have rainfall data over a year or several years please call James 322-2484 Ext 108 as your data would be most appreciated for statistical research and monitoring. For the record this is - officially - the driest May in Kainaliu since 1931. 2. Borders Promotional Opportunity - June 28 - Seven entrants will be drawn out of a hat to have tasting stations at Borders on June 28 , along with Kona Rainforest Coffee - Howard and Stephanie Conant, who brought this opportunity to the KCC. Thank you, Stephanie and Howard. Your Farm name to Bruce and Lisa Corker by June 7 and questions to them at any time: [email protected]. 3. State Farm Fair - Howard Yamasaki - This is a big fund raiser for us - we collect donated green coffee, roast and bag it then bring it to sell at our Kona County Farm Bureau/Kona Coffee Council Booth at the Hawaii State Farm Fair in Oahu. We will be roasting the donated coffee Sat June 28. July 19, 20 and 21 we will have KCC people staffing our booth. We want green coffee donations of 1# or more. Contact Howard at: [email protected] or 328-9201. 4. Labeling Law - July 5, 2003 people have to have used up old labels as must use new labels now. July 5, 2002 for all advertising and menus - has to say 10% Kona Coffee Blend (or whatever % less than 100% Kona the coffee is) in same size type as the word Kona. Kona Farmers Alliance suggested if we see any infractions or noncompliant ads we turn them in to KCC and KCC turns them in to Diane Yamamoto. (we'll keep a record so we can follow up to see if action will be taken). NOTE: It was found out after the meeting that the HCA had requested (and received) a three month extension on the label law for any coffees that were on the shelf by July 5, 2003, with the old labels. 5. Tea and Coffee Magazine - did a 10 page article about Kona Coffee. A link to the article is on our website. It is a well balanced and interesting article. COMMITTEE REPORTS 100% Roasted Seals: Bryce has seals until Jean and George Fike return from Mainland. $1050.00 in Seal sales in May by Jean. Education Coffee Growing forum was well attended. Lois-ellin Datta's notes of this forum will be on our website. A few pieces of info - 2/3 of Kona coffee is sold as cherry . According to the 1997 census - 565 trees per acre was the average and this included small acreage and farms interplanted with other trees and crops. Coffee Cupping Training on June 20th is almost sold out - both sessions (30 people each session). Coffee Talk Will be the third Wednesday, July 18, this month, 3:30 - 5 at CTAHR in Kainaliu. The topic will be weed control. Estate Coffee bags have been moved from Schooler Farms to Bryce Decker's. Many thanks to Leta Schooler for letting us use Schooler Farms Mill for our coffee bag storage. Still only $2 each for our wonderful burlap coffee bags - KCC on label and room for your farm name. What a deal! Coffee Festival Nothing new to report. Legislation Just waiting to see if governor signs the money bills relating to agriculture. Membership We have 179 members at this time with several having memberships through 2004. Promotion Alan encouraged donations to the joint KCC/Kona County Farm Bureau Kona coffee booth at the Hawaii State Farm Fair. He also said we would be participating in the Made in Hawaii promotional/fund raising event in August in Oahu. Donated roasted & bagged coffee will be tasted and sold under the donating farmers' labels so the more you donate the more your coffee gets out there and people can reorder from you in the future from info on your bag. Alan hoped to get 5 - 6 pounds a farm for this event. It's another way to get our farm names and our coffee out in the public. Alan suggested the Kona Coffee Council run the Peoples Choice tasting event next year as a Spring Blossom Festival Event and try to expand it to hotels. 15 estate coffees were entered in 8 categories. There will be a fund raising meeting next Thursday June 12 at Ctahr at 12:30. Web Business Ed has decided on a new software website package called (yes) Coffee Cup so he will be able to do more on the website and get more things out there - such as upcoming events as far ahead of event as possible including background and commentary (possibly). There was a large round of applause for the changes and additions and sheer amount of work Ed has already brought to our website. KCC Road Cleaning The next road clearing is July 12, 2003. See info following newsletter. Meeting was adjourned at 5:40 . The next Board Meeting will be Thursday, July 3, 2003 at CTAHR in Kainaliu at 4 pm. Membership is on a calendar year basis - January through December and costs $20. To join or renew send a check for $20 made out to the Kona Coffee Council to: P.O. Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750 Please include your name, farm or business name, address, phone number and if you have one, your email address. ************************************************************************** Saturday July 12, is Adopt-A-Highway Cleanup Day and Mamalahoa Highway between markers 105 and 107 in Honaunau is ours. Volunteers are needed for our THIRD work party to pick up trash etc. All supplies, safety gear, bags etc are provided. Bring gloves, wear light weight clothing, sunscreen and real shoes (no slippers, thongs, sandals). Also no tools or children. Meet on Saturday, July 12, at 9am at Church of the Latter Day Saints (mauka side of highway just past the Middle Keii junction). Please call Kathy Wood ahead of time to let her know you will be coming so she knows what supplies to get - 328 - 9548. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, May 1, 2003 Meeting was called to order by President Christine Sheppard at 4 pm. Visitors and new members introduced selves. An overview of the FedEx program was presented by Dave Melnikov. He provided detailed explanations of FedEx, what it offers and most importantly - how to use the system. A real key appears to be getting online and using the website services especially for weight and customs info and charges. Labels may also be printed off the website. Nancy Pissichio - The American Farmland Trust has been asked to provide information and insight to the Agricultural Working Group on identifying valuable and important agricultural lands. The Agricultural Working Group, made up of farming and agribusiness groups, public agencies, landowners, various community groups and others with a stake in the preservation of agricultural land has been working mainly in Honolulu and hasn't involved many outside Honolulu. The American Farmland Trust will be making a presentation of some of the tools available for identifying and classifying various agricultural lands on May 20, in Kona. Kona Coffee Council is listed as one of the hosts for this event. SCAA SHOW REPORT - Cea said the show was last Sat, Sun and Mon and was highly successful. Lots of people took the informational handouts we had` - they were very popular. Lots of people also took our new bumper stickers. We took an old coffee tree stump - no other place has old coffee. Kona Coffee processing is the Gold Standard to the rest of the world for processing. Lots of international people at the show. Mexico had a big contingent and said they use us (Kona) as the role model. Several compliments that Kona was not bitter. We did not offer milk or sugar. We seemed to always have a crowd - we were there with our burlap bag skirts, our old stump and great Kona coffee. (editor's note) the "we" in this report is/are Cea and Bob Smith who did everything from setting up, making coffee, staffing the booth to taking down and packing stuff for shipping home. Thank you! Minutes of the last meeting were approved as written. Treasurer's Report - Bryce said the leasehold legal fund has $5200 in it and there have been expenses of $3,112.74 . The current unreconciled balance is about $32,680 and $30,684 after removing leasehold funds. The treasurer's report was accepted as given. COMMITTEE REPORTS 100% Roasted Coffee Seal Jean reported 27 rolls were sold this past month. Bryce will take over Roasted Seals while Jean is off island Education Ken reported that the April 19th Agrilabor meeting was held. Pretty well attended. Virginia has info at the CTAHR office for anyone who couldn't make the meeting and wants to contact Agrilabor folks. May 3 Plant Sale - Drop off plants May 2 at Yano Hall 1-4 or bring them Saturday to Yano Hall. Same with the Country Store items May 17 - Coffee Growing Forum. Starts 8:30 going until 3:30 at Bonsai Center. Costs $15 and includes lunch and refreshments during the forum. June 20 Coffee Cupping Seminar at Kona Outdoor Circle. More info to follow, Festival Nothing new to report. Financial Planning Nothing new to report Fund Raising Allan thanked Jim Ferguson and Ken Sheppard for their work on the plant and country store rummage sales to be held Saturday. Kathy Wood and Virginia Easton Smith were singled out for their work on these events. HCA Christine stated she had been thinking long and hard re: our (KCC) continued membership in the Hawaii Coffee Association (HCA.) She said that our original reasons or rationale for joining the HCA: membership allows us to influence decisions and legislation our aims are similar matching funds and grants for marketing projects distributed from the State are funneled through the HCA, and we need to belong to access these funds, and the State Dept of Ag wants to talk to only one commodity group - the HCA is that group; are no longer valid. When the HCA votes on something no Board members may act in a way contrary to that decision even if the decision goes against the best interests of that Board member. The HCA 's current de facto practice soon to be de jure in the new by-laws of requiring 12 meetings, minimum, a year with no teleconferencing options and no proxies accepted would cost KCC approximately $3000 a year just to attend meetings. HCA funnels its legislative program through the Farm Bureau, with which we have good relations and we, KCC could do the same. She continued that our aims are different - the HCA's current view, to be set in the new by-laws, is meant to unify the coffee industry in Hawaii and work toward the benefit of that industry, as opposed to working for the benefit of Hawaiian coffees, is at odds with our mission statement. Matching funds due to the economy and government short-fall are being held to nominal levels and probably will be phased out. New administrative management in state Dept of agriculture opens up new access to KCC. Many Board members and members of the overflow audience had comments to make regarding this topic. Some of the comments were: The cost of attending the HCA meetings is too pricey. One Board member suggested we use the money to send someone to lobby/speak directly with the legislators on bills of concern to us. The HCA is far from where it started and was supposed to be. It is not really an agricultural group anymore. We should be a single issue organization - to protect promote and educate about 100% Kona coffee. Kona should be the commodity group representative. The Co-op resigned from HCA last year as they felt they couldn't be bound by the HCA Board decisions. The regime change at the state level has made the State Dept of Ag accessible. If we stay with the HCA we lose our voice as have to abide by HCA decisions. The view was expressed that maybe shouldn't be so quick to resign and the two Boards (HCA and KCC) should try to meet to talk things over before the KCC makes a decision to leave HCA. We need to make a point of saying how our interests do not match. Lots more comments along the lines of the above. The Board voted 9 yes and 2 abstentions on KCC resigning from the HCA. 8 votes in favor are needed for a resolution to pass. Legislative Howard's report covered the status of bills of interest to us as of April 30, 2003. HR49: re: urging Dept of Ag to consider modifying administrative rules regarding importation of green coffee beans into state of Hawaii -Died in Ag committee. (Rep Bob Herkes who proposed this bill will be at our June meeting to discuss this bill.) HR70: urging US President to serve 100% Hawaii grown coffees at the White House. Adopted April 21 HB 523: relating to ag tourism. Died in Tourism committee SB255: Voids CC&Rs that restrict ag activities on ag designated lands. Passed. SB534: Appropriates $400,000 for College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR). Passed. SB540: Appropriates $ 800,000 for Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC) Passed. SB542: relating to organic labeling. Currently in House Consumer Protection Committee. SB1258: Makes the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) board permanent. Passed. Membership: We have 169 paid members. Promotion: Peoples Choice Kona Coffee Tasting May 3 at Yano Hall. Cathy Cavaletto will be presenting a cupping seminar at 11 at Yano Hall. 15 Kona coffees will be available for tasting and voting. These two events are part of the Kona Spring Blossom Festival. Website: Ed encouraged people to check their info and links on the website to make sure all are up to date. To have your info on KCC website contact Ed Paige with your information. OLD BUSINESS Leasehold Fund Christine said the lawyer is to get back to us within the next 10 days. His charge is to go through lease, identify areas that might be problematic and suggest new language for those areas. Restaurant Recognition Program Purpose is to honor and advertise those West Hawaii restaurants that serve 100% Kona coffee - 3 responded to ad in WHT with menus and Bruce went out looking for others checking on suggestions made at last meeting. He has a total of 15 . Next step is to include these restaurants in an ad in West Hawaii Today in June honoring these restaurants for serving 100% Kona coffee and encouraging others to do so and to provide framed certificates for these establishments. Reminder that Spring Blossom Festival Peoples Choice event is at Yano Hall Sat May 3. NEW BUSINESS Honolulu Airport A 5 foot by 4 ft by 3 ft case has been made available to the KCC thanks to Bruce Corker's advocacy. Materials from the Coop, Uchida Farm and Historical Museum and the KCC in addition to Kona Coffee labels and other items will be in the display showing Kona past and present. Christine and Lisa (Corker) will be going to Honolulu to set up display. There is the possibility of another case being made available to us in future. 20th International Conference on Coffee Science will be held on Kauai in October. Contact Christine for further info. It would be nice if someone from the Coffee Council could attend. Virginia said she'll probably be there and will bring back lots of info for us. Other business CTAHR will be hosting listening sessions on transportation issues and member Robert Krant will attend the one in Hilo on our behalf. It's an opportunity for people who ship off island to discuss issues. The meeting was adjourned at 5:45. The Next Meeting of the Kona Coffee Council will be held Thursday June 5, 2003 at CTAHR office in Kainaliu. Membership in the Kona Coffee Council is $20 on a calendar year basis Jan through Dec. If you would like to join please send your check made out to Kona Coffee Council to: PO Box 2077, Kealakekua HI 96750. Please include your name, your farm or business name, your address, your phone number and if you have one your email address. Please send email changes to [email protected] The Kona Historical Society is offering a coffee basket making workshop. Join Kona natives Tomoe Nimori and Ed Kaneko in a one day workshop at the Kona Coffee Living History Farm, on Saturday May 31, from 9am to 4 pm. Participants will complete their choice of either a lauhala basket, with Tomoe or a wire mesh basket with Ed. The cost is $60.00 including materials. Bring a lunch for a fun day at the farm and take home a new basket for next coffee season. Space is limited, call 323-2006 to register. Email sent to KCC: I am looking for a source to produce a line of private label Kona coffees for international export. I am interested in bulk supply as well as gift packs. Please send me contact information for any of your member businesses in the coffee industry who have private label programs. Please respond to: Kanani Stennett KLS Consulting Services 7238-A Hawaii Kai Drive Honolulu HI 96825 Ph/fax 808 394-8315 email: [email protected] Report on Coffee Growing Forum. The forum was a great success with 37 attendees and 11 panelists. The discussions were free ranging and brought out many different ideas on the alternative methods available for farm design and practices. The forum commenced with a presentation from Don Martin, Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Service, who had prepared some more in-depth data for us than what is normally published. It was extremely interesting to see how farm size, acreage and yield have changed over the years and what the realistic yield expectations might be. Following on from that there were discussions on various growing methods and practices ranging from modern row crop systems through various traditional and organic practices and some interesting ideas on how permaculture might be integrated into coffee production (or rather the other way round). The event was rounded off with a presentation and discussion of CTAHR's spreadsheet for calculating farm economics followed by a general discussion of all coffee related subjects. County Councilman Bob Jacobsen dropped by and spent some time with us listening to our concerns. He offered to help enact any county legislation which would help the Kona Coffee Industry. I would like to say a great big MAHALO to all the panelsists who generously donated their time to make this event successful and to Virginia Easton-Smith and Chuck Moss for their help in putting the event together. The panelists and their specialties were: Sally Rice (Agro Resources) - Row Cultivation, planting a new farm Melanie Bondera (Kanalani Farm) - Organic Farming Bill Cullum (HOFA) - Organic Certification Virginia Easton-Smith (CTAHR) - Nutrition Reggie Hasegawa (UHS) - Nutrition Michael Kramer (Natural Investment Services) - Permaculture Donald Martin (HASS) - Ag Statistics Stuart Nakamoto (CTAHR) - Ag Economics Bob Smith (SMITHFARMS) - Pruning Shawn Steiman (CTAHR) - Shade Research Vicki Swift (Mother Goose Farm) - Shade, Geese and Sheep Received from Tim and Cindy Brady of Kona Rainforest Farms: Wanted to let you know how valuable the coffee forum was for us. We wanted to inform attendees at the Coffee Forum that the discussion about geese eating coffee and lychee trees was not clear to the other farmers. Vicki Swift is correct about Chinese Whites not eating coffee seedlings. It was another variety of geese called the Buffs that have been doing the damage at Kona Rainforest Farms. Therefore, we do not recommend Buffs for coffee farmers or farmers with small seedling trees. Back to Contents KONA COFFEE COUNCIL MINUTES Thursday, April 3, 2003 Meeting was called to order at 4 pm by President Christine Sheppard. Craig and Deborah Walters introduced themselves as members. Minutes of the previous meeting were accepted as corrected to reflect Agri-labor presentation being April 19 and the coffee growing seminar being May 17. Treasurer's Report: Balance was $30,301. after reconciliation on 2/28, and unreconciled $26,311 on 3/31. Big items were lawyers for leasehold review and SCAA. Treasurer's report was approved. COMMITTEE REPORTS 100% Roasted Seals: Jean Fike reported 25 rolls sold since last meeting. Jean asked for volunteer(s) to take over for her as she will be off Island mid May to August. Education: Virginia said the Coffee Talk Wed, April 9th 3:30-5:00 will cover all kinds of pests. At Extension office in Kainaliu. April 19 Agrilabor 10-12 at CTAHR. Hope to have detailed info on what they do, what it costs, how to tell if you need them. May 2 Cupping Workshop at Kona Outdoor Circle. Two sessions - morning and afternoon. May 3 Informal coffee tasting as part of the Spring Blossom Festival. May 17 at Bonzai Park - Coffee Growing Methods workshop. Almost an all day event. Presentations on traditional through organic and all in-between. There will be a forum to discuss issues related to yield expectations, quality and the economics of various systems. Presentations, brief panel discussions, catered lunch and afternoon events. Festival: Due to concerns such as: County Council proposing regulating visitors to farms, AgTourism regulations that may be coming out, Doutor Farm being stopped from having visitors and Kamehameha Schools saying no leasehold agtourism visits without farm complying with the Americans with Disabilities Act we will not have our farm tours this year. Some felt the tours may have run their course and now it was time for something new. Something New will be a cupping seminar to be held at the Ohana Keauhou Beach Resort on Tuesday November 11. Our grant from the HTA was for two cupping seminars - the one we will hold May 3 and this one during the Coffee Festival. This ties in very well with the Cupping Contest which will be held Wed and Thurs also at the Keauhou Beach Resort. Our Festival Dinner will be Thurs Nov 13 and we can announce the cupping winners at the dinner. Financial Planning and Budget: Bryce will incorporate the changes resulting from Board meeting that took place prior to this meeting and email the changes to the Board and anyone else who is interested. Fund Raising: The Spring Blossom Festival event May 3 at Yano Hall will have a Country Store (garage/rummage) sale and a plant sale. - more info on these at end of newsletter. We will need coffee donations/Peoples Choice entries for the tasting at this event. Details at end of newsletter. HCA: Christine was unable to attend the last HCA meeting but the KCC Board designated Howard Yamasaki as the KCC delegate for the meeting. However the HCA refused to accept Howard's votes on behalf of the KCC and also on behalf of the Kona Farmers Alliance for whom Howard was also a designated rep for the meeting. HCA Board said not in the bylaws to accept or not accept alternate designates so alternates votes will not be accepted. Prior to this meeting alternate designated representatives had had their votes accepted. HR70 to serve Kona Coffee at the White House was approved by the HCA Board after changing Kona coffee to Hawaii coffee. HR49 requested the D. of Ag to review new information about green coffee imports. HCA voted to fight this. The HCA sent a letter to all members of Ag Committee saying the HCA was unanimous in its disapproval. (The HCA would not recognize the votes of the KCC and the KFA, both of which were in support of HR49.) HR49 was heard by the Ag Committee and "deferred" (not known till when). By-laws - the HCA has issued a new set of by-laws to be voted on at their AGM. This set increases Board Meetings to a minimum of 12. When Howard drafted the by-laws he put in a provision for teleconferencing (as the Farm Bureau does) to save on expense of air, taxis, full day away from business demands, of attending meetings on Oahu. However, after a meeting of the Officers on Wednesday, a revised set of By-laws was circulated which takes out any provision for teleconferencing. Plus, a single representative or previously designated alternate must be physically present to vote (no proxies). Christine said this leaves the KCC with a cost of approximately $3000. plus a year to attend the minimum of 12 Board Meeting. It was the agreement of the KCC Board that we are in favor of having teleconferencing. Christine said that she would like the Board to consider whether we should join the HCA at this high expense (minimum of 12 meetings a year on Oahu) so that she can express our agreed upon position when this issue of the by-laws (# of meetings, no teleconferencing and no proxies) is discussed. Legislative: Howard reported: Ag Tourism bill is still in Committee -gone from the House to the Senate but hasn't crossed back. As drafted would allow ag tourism on ag land, BUT will still leave counties and also leaseholders i.e. Kamehameha Schools with regulatory authority.. Organic products - a bill has gone from the Senate to the House but hasn't returned to Senate yet. Would require organic labeling to comply with the Federal law. Membership: There are currently 163 paid members Promotion: Volunteers needed for the May 3 coffee cupping seminar and Peoples Choice tasting at Yano Hall, along with the Country Store and plant sale being held same time, same place - 9 - 5 (9-4 for the tasting so Peoples Choice votes can be tallied and ribbons awarded) Call Allan to volunteer - 800- 900-5662. Note: as Peoples Choice sampling is not a KCC event but a Spring Blossom Festival event, if you bring coffee for the sampling you may also bring and sell your roasted coffee (yes, you keep the $). Our new bumper stickers are here, pick some up for your self and customers. SCAA: Cea said everything was in place, will take lots of pictures with them, 2 label boards and a new banner that says, "if it's not 100% it's not Kona". Web Business: Ed said he's caught up with updates, creating archives, doing monthly backups and updating info weekly. OLD BUSINESS Leasehold Fund: KCC donated $2500., KFA donated $1000., Farm Bureau donated $3500 and $500 from individuals. Francis Jung has been retained at $3000. to review lease, indicate problem areas and provide suggested new language for Kamehameha Schools' lawyers. He won't exceed $5000. for this part. Hourly fee for negotiation. Restaurant Recognition Program: Bruce said had received one formal response to our ad. Members mentioned several restaurants that they knew served 100% Kona Coffee. Bruce said the next step is to set up meetings with 8 to 10 prominent restaurants to discuss their offering 100% Kona coffee as an option on their menus. Spring Blossom Festival: May 3, cupping event with Cathy Cavaletto at Yano Hall along with coffee sampling and Peoples Choice awards. If you want to participate in the Peoples Choice tastings - bring two press pots of your brewed coffee for each coffee you wish to enter, which means the same roast in each pot. If you want to enter more than one roast or coffee i.e. Estate and Peaberry then two press pots for each. Put your Farm name on the pots. If you'd like to serve your own coffee - please do so. Also you may bring bagged coffee to sell, if you'd like. You handle this part as you get to keep the money. If you'd like to enter please call Allan 800-900-5662 or Stefanie 325 - 7156 with your name and your farm name so these can be put on ballot. Many categories - many winners. Road Clean-up April 5 NEW BUSINESS Display at Geographical Society AGM, Boulder in November: Christine put together some formerly used materials from various KCC displays and sent them to Ms Ann Crawford who had requested a display about Kona coffee for the Society's annual general meeting. Ms Crawford will set up the display. The meeting was adjourned at 5:15.The next Board meeting will be Thursday, May 1, 2003 at CTAHR in Kainaliu at 4 pm. Membership is on a calendar year basis - January through December and costs $20. To join or renew send a check for $20 made out to Kona Coffee Council to: P.O. Box 2077 Kealakekua, HI 96750. Please include your name, farm or business name, address, phone number and if you have one - email address. There will be a volunteers meeting Wednesday, April 23 at 11 am at CTAHR in Kainaliu to handle logistics for the May 3 events at Yano Hall - the Cathy Cavaletto coffee seminar, the Peoples Choice tasting and voting, the Plant Sale and the Country Store (garage/rummage sale). Please call Allan Frank for info if you are unable to attend the volunteers meeting but DO WANT to volunteer. Allan's # 800-900-5662. The Coffee Cupping Workshop with expert Ken Davids has been moved from its tentatively scheduled date of May 2 to June 20th. We will have full details soon. KCC Plant Sale WANTED: Donations of plants for the KCC plant sale fund raiser at the Spring Blossom Festival event Saturday May 3 at Yano Hall and volunteers for the stand to collect plants and talk plant story. Guidelines - plants in clean containers, rigid pots ideally but bags ok. Weed free. Stake delicate plants. NO COFFEE PLANTS please (to prevent nematode spread). No Plants from Coqui Frog Colony areas please. Label plants with common name, Latin name and variety if known. Trim to look attractive. If you have any farm brochures they can be displayed also. Suitable plants: Ornamentals, palms, orchids, herbs, vegetable seedlings, fruit trees, shade trees, timber species or any other interesting, useful or unusual non-invasive plant. Questions? Where to bring plants? Want to volunteer? Call Ken Sheppard - 328 -7345. Plants may be brought to Yano Hall for plant sale before 9 on Saturday, May 3 - let Ken know if you plan to do this so he can plan for you. Second Fund Raising Event on May 3 is the Country Store Treasures**, heirlooms, impetuous purchases at other garage sales, really ugly stuff and really nice stuff for which you no longer have use or need and more are needed for this sale. Books are always winners. Electrical appliances and tools need to be in working order. No Electronic items, please. Virginia Easton Smith has graciously offered to let us use the extension office in Kainaliu as a drop off for donated items and Kathy Wood, equally gracious, will pick up and store items for the sale. Help is needed to organize and price the donated items for the Country Store , to set up attractive displays and to work sales.To volunteer for any of these tasks (and to get first shot at purchasing items) please contact Jim Ferguson at 325-3195 or email him at [email protected], or Kathy Wood 328 - 9548 [email protected] Back to Contents