Measurement Standards Branch
Assures accuracy of measurement, packaging, labeling and pricing of commercial goods to prevent unfair practices.
Have you ever wondered whether you’ve received the pound of papayas or the gallon of gasoline that you’ve paid for? How do you know that the premium gasoline that you’ve purchased is really 92 octane? You can be certain that you are getting what you’ve paid for because the men and women of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Measurement Standards Branch are looking out for you. The Branch works to minimize losses to both the buyer and seller in transactions of goods or services based on a measurement process or quality standards enforced by the Branch.
Measurement Standards receives technical assistance and advice from the federal government through the National Institute of Standards and Technology. However, it is the responsibility of the Branch to establish and enforce the measurement standards laws that assure equity, discourage unfair competition and promote consumer confidence in the marketplace. These laws can be found in Chapter 486, Hawaii Revised Statutes.
The Measurement Standards Branch enforces several labeling laws pertaining to specific types of commodities. One of these laws, formerly called the “Kona coffee law”, was amended during the 2023 and 2024 legislative sessions and is now called the “Hawaii-grown coffee law”. The 2024 coffee law became effective on July 3, 2024 and enforceable on July 1, 2024.
The Measurement Standards Branch has two sections that work together to enforce the law. They are the Standards and Technical Services Section and the Standards and Trade Practices Enforcement Section.
For more information regarding this branch, contact:
MEASUREMENT STANDARDS BRANCH
Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Quality Assurance Division
1851 Auiki Street
Honolulu, HI 96819-3100 Email: [email protected] Phone: (808) 832-0690