I am pleased to announce that Duane K. Okamoto has been appointed as Deputy to the Chairperson. Duane stepped into the deputy position on April 1 and has hit the ground running.  Duane has been a business consultant and has focused on economic development in rural areas. His work involved projects across Kauai, Waianae, Kahuku, Hilo, Hamakua, Kau, Hana, Wailuku, Kahului and urban Honolulu.

To learn more about Duane, you may view the news release on his appointment by clicking here: /hdoa/meetings_reports/news-releases/2005/news-release-march-29-2005

Sandra Lee Kunimoto

Chairperson

Hawaii Board of Agriculture

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Good News from EPA on Exemption to Use Hydrated Lime for Coqui Control

HDOA received notification from EPA on Tuesday that an exemption has been granted that allows the use of calcium hydroxide, more commonly known as hydrated lime, for control of coqui and greenhouse frogs. Although HDOA had received indications that the approval was near, it was good news when the formal notification was received.

In accordance with EPA's exemption requirements, HDOA has established a label specifically for this use.  To obtain label instructions and applicator and dealer forms, contact the Pesticides Branch on Oahu at 973-9401 or go to the HDOA website at: /hdoa

Seals of Quality

Public hearings have been scheduled statewide for the proposed Seals of Quality program, which will help distinguish Hawaii-made and Hawaii-grown products. 

Maui -   May 16, 2005  -  9:00 a.m.
HDOA Office
635 Mua St., Kahului

Oahu - May 16, 2005 - 1:00 p.m.
Hale Waiolama Building at HDOA
1428 S. King St., Honolulu

Kauai -  May 17, 2005 - 9:00 a.m.
HDOA Office
4398A Pua Loke St., Lihue

Kona -   May 17, 2005 - 10:00 a.m.
University of Hawaii Extension Office
79-7381 Mamalahoa Highway, Kealakekua

Hilo -     May 18, 2005 - 10:00 a.m.
HDOA Office, Conference Rooms B and C
75 Aupuni St., Hilo

To view the proposal, click here: /hdoa/meetings_reports/public-notices/pn

Board Sends Pesticide-Related Rules to Public Hearings

At its March 2005 meeting, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture approved to go to public hearings, proposed rule changes that strengthen pesticide regulations and include fee increases in pesticide-related licenses.  The proposed rule changes will update the restricted-use list of pesticides, establish stricter criteria to protect groundwater from pesticide contamination, establish procedures for reviewing non-chemical pest control devices and establish better recordkeeping and reporting procedures by pesticide dealers and certified applicators.

The proposed rule changes would increase fees in order to make the program more self-sustaining.  Product licenses will increase to $90 per year ($270 for a three-year license) beginning January 1, 2006 and increase to $110 per year ($330 for a three-year license) beginning January 1, 2008.  In addition, fees for testing of certified applicators will also increase to $25. Various dealer licensing fees will also increase.  Public hearings have not been scheduled yet. The Small Business Regulatory Review Board and the Governor must also approve before the proposed rule changes can be scheduled for public hearings.       

Kahului Airport Improvements Include New Ag Inspection Facility

Governor Linda Lingle released nearly $9.3 million for long-awaited improvements to Kahului Airport on Maui.  Included in the expansion of the airport is an enclosed 7,400 square-foot state-of-the-art agricultural inspection facility which will greatly assist in the inspection of inbound cargo.

The airport expansion project coordinated by the state Department of Transportation will be located on the west side of the airport and will also include a new 31,000-square-foot cargo building which will provide produce shippers access to a covered facility while cargo awaits loading on to aircrafts instead of being held in the open sun.

The project is estimated to be completed in 2007 at a total cost of $23.4 million, with $14.1 million coming from the federal government. 

To view the news release issued by the Governor's Office, click here: http://www.hawaii.gov/gov/News%20Releases/News_Item.2005-04-20.5336

New Pest Found on Macadamia Nuts in Kona

A new pest advisory has been issued the department after the discovery of new insect pest that has invaded macadamia nut orchards in South Kona on the Big Island.  The insect, called the macadamia felted coccid (MFC) (scientific name:  Eriococcus ironsidei Williams), was first reported by a commercial macadamia nut farm and specimens were sent to USDA laboratories for confirmation.

Entomologists and researchers from CTAHR and HDOA have been surveying the infestation and study is not focused on locating natural enemies of the pest. A parasitic wasp has been identified that may help in the bio-control of MFC.

Click here to view the Pest Alert:                /hdoa/pi/pi_pc/npa05-01-MFC.pdf

Click here to view the news release:              /hdoa/meetings_reports/news-releases/2005/news-release-march-11-2005

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Animal Disease Surveillance

HDOA has adopted the federal standardized premise registration system, matching with the USDA/National Animal Identification System (NAIS), to identify animal premises in the State.  The goal of the Hawaii Animal Premises Identification System (HAPIS) is to rapidly trace animal origin for control/prevention of disease spread in an event of outbreak in the State. In order for animal health officials to trace animals, exact location of premises where animals are born, housed, or moved must be known. 

Premises registration is voluntary at this time.  For more information or to register, click here: /hdoa/ai/HAPIS/

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Highlights in Combating Established Pests

Noxious Weed Specialists from Oahu and Hilo conducted a helicopter survey for fireweed on the Big Island.  They were accompanied by staff from CTAHR and USDA.  The aerial survey confirmed that 50 percent or more of the island is infested with the weed, which was more evident in highly grazed pastures and in areas previously affected by wildfires.

Two shipments of natural enemies of fireweed collected by HDOA Exploratory Entomotogist Mohsen Ramadan in South Africa arrived in Hawaii in March.  The shipments consisted of stem-boring weevil, a leaf-feeding chrysomelid beetle and some lepidopterous caterpillars.  These bio-control agents will be held in quarantine while tests are conducted.

Kauai staff treated an infestation of little fire ants at a Kalihiwai site.  They were assisted by Kauai Invasive Species Committee in conducting surveys of the area. They also continued cooperative work in controlling thorny kiawe at Kekaha Boat Harbor.

Kauai staff conducted surveys in Lawai Valley for Sago Palm scale and Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV).

Oahu staff treated throny kiawe in the Kapalama area.

Plant Quarantine staff, in cooperation with staff of the state Department of Land & Natural Resources and the U.S. Army, treated the PX at Schofield Army Base for an infestation of coqui frogs.  At least 12 frogs were captured.  Some of the frogs were found on water-soaked boxes of plastic lawn furniture.  The boxes were locked in a shipping container and left in the sun.  The area continues to be monitored.

Maui staff conducted visual inspections of specimens of papaya mealybug collected in February.  After incubating 30 days and examined, the specimens were shipped to the USDA Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Maryland for confirmation.  The samples collected at Honokawai showed a range of parasitism of 70 to 80 percent; however, the same level of parasitism was not observed at all survey sites.

On the Big Island, testing with Amdro bait station  began in a rambutan orchard infested with little fire ants.

Big Island staff destroyed three mats of banana plants with Banana Bunchy Top Virus in the Kailua-Kona area.

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Highlights in Preventing Introductions of New Pests

Oahu Plant Industry staff conducted initial testing of Oahu nurseries for risk assessment purposes for little fire ant.  At this time, nine nurseries in Waimanalo, Kaneohe and Hawaii have volunteered for testing.

Maui staff, along with staff from USDA-APHIS conducted surveys for red imported fire ant in the Kahului Airport and Harbor areas. 

Plant Quarantine staff from Kona and Oahu participated in a multi-agency effort to search for a snake that was reportedly spotted in the Kona Palisades subdivision.  Personnel from DLNR and HDOA deployed 42 traps.  Also, participating in search efforts were personnel from USDA-PPQ and the Hawaii County Fire Department.

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Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors

(The following is a sampling of interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors during the month of
January 2005.)

January 3 - Using peanut butter bait sticks, Hilo inspectors detected little fire ants in a shipment of landscape plants destined for Oahu.  The owner decided not to ship the plants after being informed that an insecticide treatment was required.

January 4 - Oahu inspectors confiscated horseradishes, rutabagas, turnips and daikon from a Delta Airlines passenger arriving from Salt Lake City, Utah.  Cruciferous root vegetables may not be imported from the mainland due to prevalence of the cabbage maggot, which is not found in Hawaii.

January 4 - Oahu inspectors confiscated one lion fish in a shipment of other fishes consigned to a Maui pet shop.  The shipment arrived from Los Angeles via air cargo.

January 6 - Oahu inspectors confiscated four lbs. of South African pineapples in a Federal Express shipment.  The pineapples where being shipped to a Honolulu resident from a produce company in California.

January 6 - A carton of bacteria consigned to a Honolulu school was refused entry by Oahu inspectors because the shipment did not have an import permit.  The bacteria arrived via UPS from North Carolina.

January 7 - A carton of worms sent via U.S. Postal Service was returned to the shipper by Oahu inspectors because the owner did not have an import permit.

January 9 - Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed a carton of chard heavily infested with rust disease.  The shipment arrived from Berkeley, California and was destined for a Honaunau market.

January 12 - Oahu inspectors refused entry of one carton (20 lbs.) of Florida tangerines consigned to a Honolulu resident because the shipment was not accompanied by a certificate of origin or treatment.  The shipment arrived via UPS.

January 12 - Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed one bag of fish containing 100 Hyphessobrycon amandae (dwarf red tetras) which arrived via a Japan Airlines flight from Indonesia.  The fishes were consigned to an Oahu fish wholesaler.  The species is not listed on the state's animal list and therefore is prohibited from entry.

January 19 - A Kona supermarket imported 10 ceramic pots of plants with Tillandsia usneoiddes (Spanish Moss) used as filler material, via Matson cargo from California.  The tillandsia was confiscated and destroyed and the plants were released for sale.

January 19 - Kona inspectors detected a heavy infestation of Tenebrionidae, or darkling beetles, which are not known to occur in Hawaii, in a 40-foot Horizon Lines container of dairy feed from California.  The container was sent to Honolulu for fumigation.

January 24 - Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed two foxface rabbitfish which arrived in two separate shipments via Hawaiian Airlines and Delta Airlines on the same day.  A Maui pet shop consigned both shipments of the prohibited fish.

January 30 - 52 palm plants were removed from gift baskets of mixed plants consigned to a Honolulu supermarket via a Matson containership from California.  Importation of palm plants are prohibited from the mainland.

January 31 - Hilo inspectors confiscated 2.5 lbs of soil in a carton containing 24 bunches of beets imported by a natural food store.  The soil, which arrived on a Matson containership from San Francisco, was destroyed via autoclave.

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Financial Assistance

The Agricultural Loan Division processed a loan package for Hamakua Heritage Farm, Inc., a mushroom grower on the Big Island and presented the loan package to the Hawaii Board of Agriculture at its March meeting.  The Board approved an operating loan request of $437,000 to refinance loans and purchase equipment to expand the operation.  An additional loan of $300,000 was approved to purchase property and construct a warehouse.

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Export Marketing

The Agricultural Development Division facilitated an agreement for the Maui Farmers Cooperative Exchange to supply a minimum of 1,000 lbs. of Maui onions per month to Yamato, U.S.A.  While production is not up to that level as yet, a test shipment was sent in late March.  A second product, Maui chips, is also under consideration.  Both products are intended for the Japan and U.S. mainland markets.

The Market Development Branch has rescheduled the Western United States Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA) Export Readiness Training and Branded Program seminar for May 16-20, 2005 in Honolulu.  For more information, contact Donna Shima at e-mail:  donna.k.shima@hawaii.gov or call 973-9465.

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Aquaculture Conference

The sixth annual Hawaii Aquaculture Conference will be held on May 25 at Windward Community College from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.  At the conference, multiple sessions will be offered on topics that include updates on aquaculture research, advanced operations, issues relating to ornamental fish and food production.  The conference will also feature a favorite event, "Taste of Hawaii Aquaculture," where Hawaii's notable chefs exquisitely prepare locally grown seafood.

For conference and registration information, contact Dean Toda at the Aquaculture Development Program at 587-0030 or e-mail: dtoda@hawaiiaquaculture.org .  Early registration deadline is May 16.

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Education & Outreach

Quality Assurance staff made a presentation to 20 Kamuela farmers on food safety, with an overview of the USDA and Primus Labs food audit programs.  The meeting was sponsored by CTAHR.

Kauai staff manned a booth at Kauai's Earth Day celebration disseminating educational material on invasive species, with emphasis on the little fire ant.

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Grant Opportunities

The Regional Economic Transition Assistance Hawaii II (RETAH II) program is currently accepting grant applications for six grants totaling $1.6 million, with the average grant amount around $300,000. The deadline for submittals is May 31, 2005.

RETAH II program goal is to support sustainable development through agricultural products and services in Hawaii. Sustainable development is defined as continued operation of the business activity supported after federal investment from this program ends, providing job creation and long-term employment.  The agriculturally based products and/or services commercialized under this program are intended to address the civilian and military demands for products and services.

For more information and forms, click here: http://www.csrees.usda.gov/funding/forms.html

If you have questions regarding the grant program in Hawaii, e-mail Susan Matsushima at:  alluvio@aloha.net

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Mark Your Calendars

Pineapple Festival

The 2^nd Annual Pineapple Festival will be held on Saturday, May 14 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Wahiawa District Park (Fred Wright Park) on California Avenue.  Events include:  pineapple-themed dishes from Roy's, 3660 on the Rise and Chef Alan Wong, Free narrated trolley tours of the Wahiawa area, games and activities for keiki, a keiki art contest, live musical entertainment, including the International Jazz Festival All-Star, pineapple flipping contests and prize giveaways.

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

To E-mail, click here