Tuesday was a great victory: the Paʻi ʻAi Bill, also called the Poi Bill or SB 101, officially survived the legislative process when the Senate and House voted unanimously to pass the measure. With Gov. Abercrombie’s signature, this bill will change the status quo for traditionally pounded poi, or paʻi ʻai. Except in certain circumstances, the Hawaii Department of Health requires that food providers get a permit and comply with a host of one-size-fits-all rules.
Without an exception for paʻi ʻai, cultural practitioners were unable to sell or even give away their pounded kalo (taro), once the staple food of Hawaiians. The rules did not honor the traditional preparation and implements used in this time-tested Kānaka Maoli culinary art, nor did the rules allow consumers to make the ultimate decision about whether or not they would assume the risk of eating food made with (gasp!) a porous stone. With the Governor’s signature, that will all change. New DOH rules will allow for consumer choice, provided the paʻi ʻai chefs provide a disclaimer and comply with a few safety requirements.
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