Hawai‘i’s Māmaki Tea Industry Is at Risk - Here’s How You Can Help

Since 2013, our family has been part of the movement to bring Māmaki tea back into daily life. We’ve watched this once-forgotten plant become a powerful part of Hawai‘i’s regenerative agriculture, local economy, and wellness culture. But the new bill HB496 CD1 scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2025 now threatens to undo years of hard work, putting our farmers, small businesses, and the future of Māmaki at risk.

Many are calling this the Māmaki Blackout Bill. This bill is meant to protect authenticity in Hawaiian-grown products, which we absolutely support. However, in its current form, HB496 would make it illegal to use the word “Māmaki,” “Hawaiian,” or even certain Hawaiian imagery on tea blends unless 100% of the ingredients in the bag are grown in Hawai‘i, not just the māmaki.

Even if a tea contains 100% Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki, adding a pinch of imported cinnamon, peppermint, or chamomile would disqualify it from being called “Māmaki tea.” That means the very blends that brought Māmaki into the mainstream could disappear from the market altogether.

We know the intention of the bill is good. But the execution could devastate local farms and businesses. And it’s already happening. Māmaki farmers we’ve worked with for years are reporting 80 to 90 percent drops in sales as companies pull back in fear of penalties.

We are fortunate enough to be able to partner with amazing local farmers as well as grow our ingredients, but we also know that the majority of small businesses can’t do that and the current system is not set up for a larger conversion like this. At least not yet. 

So What Can You Do?

Governor Green will soon decide whether to sign this bill into law. Your voice matters. You can help by submitting a respectful message asking for the bill to be revised, not signed as-is. We've also created a petition here.

We’ve outlined five key talking points below that you can use to guide your message:

5 Talking Points to Include in Your Testimony

1. Overly Restrictive Labeling

HB496 makes it illegal to use the word “Māmaki” on any tea blend with even one non-Hawai‘i-grown ingredient. This punishes truthful labeling and limits how we can promote Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki.

Ask the Governor to allow language like: “Contains Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki” or “Made in Hawai‘i with Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki.”

2. Unintended Economic Harm to Small Businesses

This bill could force family-owned and Native Hawaiian-led companies to rebrand or shut down, despite using local Māmaki.

Urge the Governor to include a clause that protects local businesses using 100% Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki in responsibly labeled blends.

3. Vague Language Around Imagery

The ban on “misleading Hawaiian imagery” is not clearly defined. What does that mean? A lei? A mountain? A name like Hilo?

Ask for clear definitions and protections for certified local businesses using culturally appropriate designs.

4. It Hurts Hawai‘i’s Ability to Export and Compete

Blends are how most people outside Hawai‘i discover Māmaki. If companies can’t label their teas accurately, they’ll lose shelf space and visibility.

Support creating a voluntary seal or certification to reflect the percentage of Hawai‘i-grown ingredients.

5. It Punishes Instead of Supporting

The bill introduces fines and bans without offering support or a transition plan for small businesses.

Recommend funding for compliance support or a grace period for companies already doing the right thing.

How to Submit Your Testimony:

You can email your message to:

governor.green@hawaii.gov

Subject line: Opposition to HB496 CD1 (Please Amend)

Keep your message short, respectful, and from the heart. Whether you’re a tea drinker, a farmer, or just someone who cares about Hawai‘i-grown agriculture, your voice can help protect what we’ve built together.

Example Testimony:

“Aloha Governor Green,

I’m writing to respectfully ask that you do not sign HB496 CD1 as it’s currently written. While I support protecting Hawaiian-grown products, this bill could unintentionally harm the very farmers and local businesses that have worked hard to bring Māmaki tea back into everyday life.

Many of these teas are responsibly made with 100% Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki, but include a small amount of other ingredients that cannot yet be grown here. These blends help introduce new customers to Māmaki and keep our farmers in business.

Please consider amending the bill to allow for truthful, transparent labeling such as “Contains Hawai‘i-grown Māmaki,” and offer support for small businesses trying to comply.

Mahalo for your time and your service to our state.”

Mahalo for standing with us.

Let’s continue to grow a future for Māmaki. Let’s aim for a future that honors the land, the culture, and the community who made it thrive again.

Me Ke Aloha,

The Waimea Herb Company ‘Ohana

You can read more about the impacts of this bill through this recent Civil Beat article.