Legislative Wrap-Up

This legislative session was hectic as ever.  A total of about 3,700 bills was introduced by the House and Senate and that did not include resolutions. 

Here are some of the ag-related bills that passed the Legislature this year.  Those that have been signed as of today are designated by the Act number in parentheses.

HB168 – Making an Appropriation for Agricultural Research and Development.  Appropriates $500,000 for the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to conduct agricultural research and market development.

HB291 – Relating to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.  Adds a landscape professional to the Advisory Committee on Pesticides.  (Act 004)

HB1201 – Relating to Agricultural Theft.  Establishes that possession by any person of agricultural products and livestock without proper certificates is prima facie evidence that these items were stolen.

HB1202 – Relating to Agricultural Trespassing.  Provides that a person commits the crime of criminal trespass in the second degree if the person, without permission, enters or remains on ag land under certain conditions.

HB1301 – Relating to Invasive Species.  Appropriate $300,000 for the statewide control or eradication efforts relating to the coqui frog.  (Act 051)

HB1308 – Relating to Land Conservation.  Adjusts conveyance tax.  Requires 10% of real estate conveyance tax collected be deposited into the land conservation fund.  Appropriates funds for the purchase of agriculture easements.

HB1640 – Relating to Important Ag Lands.  Establishes important agricultural lands identification and designation process.

HB1641 – Relating to Non-Agricultural Park Lands.  Establishes the non-agricultural park lands special fund to defray the costs incurred for transfers to the DOA.

SB669 – Relating to Animal Quarantine.  This is an administration bill that authorizes the Board of Agriculture to contract with third parties for the use or rental of animal quarantine facilities.

SB956 – Relating to Agricultural Inspections.  Allows the DOA to establish rules that require identification of specific articles on negotiable and non-negotiable warehouse receipts, bills of lading, or other documents of title inspection of pests.

SB1554 – Relating to the Environment.  Establishes the environmental workforce program to assist the counties in dealing with invasive species.

A list of all bills passed and resolutions adopted by the Legislature during the Regular Session of 2005 can be accessed by going to the Legislative Reference Bureau's website at:  http://www.hawaii.gov/lrb/reports/bill.html.

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Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Conducting Ag Theft Survey

Hawaii Agricultural Statistics (HAS) has mailed out the Agricultural Theft and Crime Survey to 1,127 farms around the state.  Participation in this survey is important to determine the extent of agricultural theft in Hawaii and the amount of losses to farm operators.  HAS worked with the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to develop the survey, which is the first of its kind in the nation that the National Agricultural Statistics Service has authorized.

If you have received the survey, please complete and return it by June 30, 2005. By law, the individual information you provide regarding your farm will be kept strictly confidential and cannot be turned over to anyone else, including any government agency.  The results of the survey are expected to be available in November 2005 and will be posted on the department's website.

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Plant Quarantine Works Overtime to Complete Oahu Pest Risk Assessment

The Plant Quarantine Branch began an Oahu Risk Assessment (ORA), a program to inspect commodities in all of the shipments of plant material arriving via air cargo for a 4-week period.  Information collected during the “blitz” will help to determine the highest risk commodities and routes of entry. Because the ORA requires teams of inspectors to work overtime to cover evening shipments; the blitz is being conducted every other week over an 8-week period.

The Honolulu Advertiser published a front-page article on the ORA on Saturday, June 18^th. To link to the article, click here: http://the.honoluluadvertiser.com/article/2005/Jun/18/ln/ln03p.html

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EPA Approves Hydrated Lime in Coqui Control

Pesticides Branch holding Workshops on Proper Use of Hydrated Lime

EPA granted an emergency exemption allowing the use of hydrated lime for coqui frog control.  This new tool in the arsenal is 10 times less expensive to use than citric acid. In granting the exemption, EPA required that HDOA establish label directions, which is important that applicators follow. 

Because there have been some reports of misuse of hydrated lime, HDOA’s Pesticides Branch has been conducting workshops statewide to teach residents and nursery operators how to properly use the product, which is a caustic chemical and may be harmful to animals and humans if misused.

To view the news release on the EPA exemption, click here:  /hdoa/meetings_reports/news-releases/2005/news-release-may-23-2005

To view the news release on the workshops, click here:  /hdoa/pi/pest/forms

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New Terms for ADC Board Members

The legislature approved the staggering of the terms for board members of the Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC), which is administratively attached to the office of the HDOA Chairperson.  The following is the board member list effective July 2005:

            Name                                        Term to expire

            Yuki Kitagawa                                   2006

            Wayne Katayama                              2009

            Bob Osgood                                      2008

            Teena Rasmussen                             2007

            Lindy Sutherland                               2009

            Eric Weinert                                      2006

            Bobby Cooper                                   2009

            Susan Harada                                    2009

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Public Hearings Held Statewide on Seals of Quality Program

Public Hearings were held statewide during the month of May to obtain public comments on the proposed Seals of Quality program to distinguish quality Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-made products.  The Agricultural Development Division received testimonies from several individuals and groups, all of which were in support of the program.  Minor changes to the proposal have been reviewed by the Attorney General’s Office.  The testimonies will be summarized and then reported to the Hawaii Board of Agriculture and if approved, it will go to the Governor for final approval.

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Highlights in Combating Established Pests

• Oahu staff confirmed the identification of the erythrina gall wasp, Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim (Hymenoptera:  Eulophidae). After the identification was made, a team of  HDOA entomologists surveyed areas and found infestations in downtown Honolulu, Keehi Lagoon, Kalihi, Sand Island and subsequent surveys found the pests at Fort Shafter, Aiea, Pearl City, Pauoa, Iwilei and Mapunapuna. Host plants for this wasp include Indian coral trees, columnar “Tropical Coral” trees and wiliwili trees.
   

• Kauai staff, working with the Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC) continued heavy work to clear large stands of long thorn kiawe trees at Mana using chain saws and gas pruners. On another occasion, the group also worked on control of long thorn kiawe infestation at Kikiaola Boat Harbor and fountaingrass at Salt Pond in Hanapepe.  They also revisited Lawai to clear the understory to make the habitat unfavorable for coqui frogs.
   

• Kauai staff also continued survey and control measures in Lawai for Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and treated 8 mats involving 35 banana plants on a residential property.
   

• Oahu and Maui Plant Quarantine staff conducted three night searches on Maui in cooperation with the Department of Land & Natural Resources and the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) and the effort resulted in the capture of three veiled chameleons.
   

• Maui staff has confirmed banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) in a commercial banana orchard in Lahaina and are assisting the grower in identifying diseased plants and destroying infected plants.  This is the initial detection of BBTV in West Maui.
   

• Oahu staff continue herbicide treatments for long thorn kiawe in Kapalama and Sand Island.
   

• Hilo staff continue routine visits to the South Kona macadamia nut orchard infested with the macadamia felted coccid (MFC).
   

• Oahu staff, together with a member of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC), conducted fountaingrass control along the airport viaduct.  They treated 108 plants with an herbicide and hand pulled 20 plants.
   

• HDOA’s Big Island sprayer loan program for coqui control has been transferred to the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC).  The transfer was made possible as BIISC hired a coordinator for this purpose.  The move releases HDOA staff to do more chemical tests for the control of coqui frog and other plant pests.

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Preventing New Introductions of Pests

Hilo staff continued to conduct routine inspections of various ports of entry for detection of the Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA).  This serious stinging ant is now widely distributed across the Southern U.S. and is also known to be established in California.  Hawaii plant importers should increase vigilance when importing plants from RIFA areas.

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Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors

(The following is a sampling of interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors during the months of February and March 2005)

February 1 – Kona staff confiscated and destroyed two cartons containing 104 potted palm plants from California shipped via Matson and headed for a Kona supermarket.  Potted palm plants are prohibited under Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR).

February 11 – Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed 15 lbs. of green coffee beans from a Japan Airlines passenger arriving from Indonesia.  The importer did not have an import permit or a certificate of treatment.

February 19 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed 3 cartons (120 lbs.) of daikon consigned to a Honolulu market.  The daikon, which were not treated as required before shipment to Hawaii, were included in a shipment of produce which arrived via American Airlines from California.

February 22 – 1 carton of strawberry plants with soil headed for a Kauai nursery via UPS was returned to the shipper.  Plants in soil are not allowed to be imported to Hawaii.

February 22 – 2 cartons of post larval shrimp for a Honolulu seafood growing company were confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors because the owner did not have an import permit. Plant Quarantine gave the owner the option of having the Fed Ex shipment returned to the mainland, but the owner chose to have it destroyed instead.

During the month of February, there were 36 insect interceptions statewide, of which 16 were not known to occur in Hawaii and 6 of unknown origin.

March 3 – 5 cartons of Tokyo Negi (green onions) were confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors because of a heavy infection of rust.  The negi were included in a shipment of produce, which arrived via United Airlines from Los Angeles.

March 6 –  1 airline container of strawberries was fumigated at the expense of the importer due to an infestation of aphids which are not known to be established in Hawaii.  The strawberries arrived via air cargo on an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles. On March 9, 172 cartons of strawberries for the same importer were also fumigated and released due to aphid infestation.

March 10 – 6 rabbitfishes were confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors because the fish is on the prohibited list of animals.The rabbitfishes were included in a shipment of 24 cartons of marine fishes which arrived on Air Micronesia from Majuro.

March 10 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed by freezing 3 cartons of red leaf lettuce, which was heavily infested with aphids and thrips.  The lettuce was in a shipment of mixed organic produce, which arrived on American Airlines from Los Angeles.

March 15 – 5 piranhas and 1 unidentified shrimp sent via DHL for a Mililani resident were confiscated and held by Oahu inspectors.  Piranhas are on the prohibited list of animals.  

March 21 – 1 bag (50) firebelly newts headed for a Maui pet store was confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors because the firebelly newt is not on the list of conditionally approved animals.  The shipment arrived via Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles.

March 21 – 3 cartons of celery root infected with a fungus were confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors.  The shipment arrived via Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles.

March 23 – Oahu inspectors intercepted 1 carton of live crickets consigned by a Kaneohe resident and returned the shipment to the sender because the importer did not have an import permit.

March 23 – 40 cartons of red leaf lettuce for a Honolulu produce company were confiscated and destroyed by freezing due to heavy infestation of aphids.  The shipment arrived via Matson from Oakland.

March 28 – 1 bag of assorted plants, including 6 hollyhock plants for a Kailua resident was returned to the shipper because of restrictions of host plants of the European Corn Borer.  The plants arrived via U.S. Postal Service from Illinois.

March 30 – Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed 36 bunches of mint heavily infected with rust disease and infested with live beetles.  The shipment arrived via air cargo from California.

March 31 – 4 cartons (100 lbs.) of pineapples headed for a Kauai natural food store was confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors due to restrictions on importing pineapples.  The pineapples were shipped via American Airlines from Los Angeles.

During the month of March, there were 141 insect interceptions statewide, of which 52 were not known to occur in Hawaii and 44 of unknown status.

Investigation/Enforcement Activities

February 18 – Kona inspectors issued a citation to Kona Transportation Company for failure to hold an agricultural commodity for inspection.  The citation stems from an incident in December, when the company released forty 100 lb. bags of green coffee to a coffee company without inspection.  The penalty assessed is $200 (first offense).

February 18 – Kona inspectors issued a citation to Cal Kona Produce for importing contraband consisting of two 25 lb. bags of untreated radishes in a Matson container in February.  The radishes were not declared on the packing list and were hidden in boxes of peppers.  The penalty is $1,000 (second offense).

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Animal Disease Surveillance

In April, a shipment of finches arrived in Hawaii that did not comply with the import requirements for birds instituted to prevent the introduction of West Nile Virus (WNV) into the state.  The birds must arrive in the state no more than 36 hours after being released from a 7-day quarantine on the mainland.  However, the finches arrived after the 36 hours.  The birds were transported and quarantined at a veterinary clinic on Oahu and several dead birds were expeditiously tested. The shipment was released after tests were found to be negative for WNV.

HDOA livestock import and veterinary staff remain vigilant in monitoring livestock imports from states experiencing outbreaks of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS), a viral disease that primarily affects cattle, horses and swine, but may occasionally affect sheep, goats and other wild animals.  HDOA requires special entry requirements for imported livestock.

Among cattle that were imported directly to Maui’s quarantine/staging facility, staff found three that were missing proper identification records and those cattle were retested prior to being released.  Warning letters were sent to the importer and the accredited veterinarian in California that issued the Certificate of Veterinary Inspection.

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Community Activities

Market Development Branch participated in the second Hawaii Pineapple Festival held in Wahiawa on May 14^th.  Staff put up a display booth and handed out pencils and pineapple recipes.  An estimated 3,000 people attended the event.

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Taxi Meter Inspections

HDOA’s Measurement Standards Branch (MSB) inspected 1,138 taximeters so far this year on Oahu.  The annual inspection is conducted during the months of April and May in order to register and license the taximeter.  Taxicabs are required to run thru a pre-measured route and their meters are inspected for accuracy. The City & County of Honolulu requires that all taxicabs have a current registration and seal from MSB.  The MSB inspectors will now be focusing on gas pump inspections.

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For more information, please call (808) 973-9560

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