#Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Apply now for compost reimbursement in Hawai‘i
The program may reimburse agricultural producers for the cost of purchasing compost, including transportation expenses.
Hawaiʻi County issues 3-month voluntary compliance order for coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials
The order — effective July 1 through Sept. 30 — applies to parts of West Hawaiʻi where the invasive beetle has been detected in the past 6 months on Hawaiʻi Island. Residents and business operators in this area are asked not to transport materials that can host the invasive insects and their larvae in an effort to thwart their spread.
Stargazer Industries Hawaiʻi at forefront of getting wood-chipped mulch from island to island easier
Big Island-based firm and partners cleared by state agricultural inspectors to transport first bulk order of Eucalyptus grandis, commonly known as flood gum or rose gum, wood-chipped mulch from Big Island to Maui after successful fumigation showed no life found, including invasive species, inside.
Hawaiʻi County increases support for coconut rhinoceros beetle eradication
The county recently awarded $250,000 to Big Island Invasive Species Committee to combat the invasive and highly destructive beetle and other pests, and it is continuing to assist Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture by providing the use of 75-foot boom trucks to treat palm tree crowns for coconut rhinoceros beetles.
State voluntary pause extended 90 days for interisland transport of poultry, other bird species
Surveillance of avian influenza, or bird flu, continues, and while no other birds have become ill from the virus, it has been detected in waste water on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. So officials, out of an abundance of caution, said extending the pause is prudent at this time.
Hawai‘i’s newly named state plant kalo to represent island agriculture in Washington
Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture in June will showcase the cultural significance of kalo, also known as taro, during the annual Hawaiʻi on the Hill event that introduces federal leaders and policymakers to island industries.
Highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake slithers onhore at East Hawai‘i beach
A Hilo resident found the 3-foot reptile pinned under a log Feb. 4 at Honoli‘i Beach, a popular surf spot and beach park about 2 miles northwest of Hilo.
Opossum captured by Kona big-box store
An agriculture inspector from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch in Kona retrieved the animal early Sunday morning and arranged for it to be transported to Honolulu. This was the second opossum in as many months to be captured in the islands.
Bird flu detected in Hawaiʻi County
H5 avian influenza was detected in influent collected Dec. 2 at Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is the first time the bird flu was detected on the Big Island and the first detection of H5 avian influenza on a neighbor island.
2-foot snake slithers into Hilo for the holidays among Christmas tree shipment
The gopher snake was discovered the morning of Nov. 16 by staff at a store that had unloaded about half of the trees from the container before the special delivery holiday hitchhiker was revealed.
State Agriculture Department seeks proposals for invasive species control projects
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has opened three requests for proposals to assist in the control and management of invasive pests, including the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ants and two-lined spittle bug.
Stinky hitchhiker eludes capture for several days at Honolulu Harbor
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture inspectors braved the skunk’s odiferous natural defenses to finally trap the animal Monday night after it had infiltrated Pier 1 for an unknown amount of time.
Opossum captured in Honolulu outside a downtown office building
Although opossums are less likely to carry rabies than other mammals, they are carriers of parasites and other diseases.
Eradicating invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle means protecting economy, ecosystem and Hawaiian culture
Hawai’i County Council joins the battle to push the pests back by supporting Hawai’i County Department of Environmental Management public awareness and outreach initiative aimed at minimizing breeding grounds on the Big Island.
A bill headed to the governor’s desk would fund programs and jobs to battle invasive species in Hawai‘i
The bill commits nearly $20 million to Hawai‘i Department of Education to assist in the administration and implementation of their Biosecurity Program, including 44 new positions.
May is Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month
This year’s theme is “Who Protects Hawaiʻi? We All Do,” underscoring the collaborative approach necessary to address and effectively manage the risks invasive species pose.
Hawaiʻi Legislature passes coffee labeling standards bill
“This initiative is about protecting Kona’s world-renowned coffee and ensuring that local farmers receive the prices they deserve for their products, and that dollars stay in Hawaiʻi’s economy,” said Big Island state Rep. Nicole Lowen
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture receives landmark support from State Legislature
H.B. 2619, which appropriates almost $20 million, awaits a final vote by the Senate and House of Representatives.
Interim rule restricts movement of plant material in effort to prevent spread of little fire ants on O‘ahu
Little fire ants were first discovered on Hawai‘i Island 25 years ago. The populations have since been detected throughout most of the state.
