A coalition of animal-protection groups wants the state Department of Agriculture to investigate three grocery chains for violating the law by labeling non-Hawaii pork as "island produced."

The Handle With Care coalition also wants the state to probe a pig importer and distributor.

The group contends that most of the pork consumed in Hawaii is raised in California or the Midwest and transported to Hawaii in dirty, overcrowded conditions and then slaughtered.

The coalition says this pork is being labeled as "island produced."

Dena Jones of the World Society for the Protection of Animals says that leads consumers to believe they are purchasing a local product.