Welcome to the first edition of the HDOA E-News!  Many farmers have commented to us that they would like to be more informed about the activities of the department.  Through this periodic e-mail newsletter, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture will strive to increase communication with our agricultural partners in the industry and others interested in agriculture.  The department and its 300 employees statewide are involved in a wide array activities and this newsletter will give readers just a small glimpse of ongoing developments and initiatives.

Please forward this e-mail to your association membership and others who may be interested.

If you have comments or questions, please e-mail us by clicking here.

Aloha,
Sandra Lee Kunimoto
Chairperson, Hawaii Board of Agriculture

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Board of Agriculture approves hike in minimum milk price for Big Island Dairies

The Hawaii Board of Agriculture has approved an increase in the minimum price that Big Island farmers are paid for their milk by the processor by 25.8 cents per gallon of raw milk.  Five Big Island dairies that form the Hawaii Milk Shed have not received an increase in the minimum price since 1991.  Since that time, the minimum price that farmers were paid for their raw milk was $2.02 per gallon of raw milk.  The increase will pay them a minimum of about $2.28 per gallon.  HDOA Milk Control Section completed a production cost study that indicated the increase requested by dairy farmers was justified and appropriate.  The increase will go to Governor Linda Lingle for final approval.  To view the HDOA news release, click on this link:  http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/04-18.htm

HDOA coordinates Hawaii participation in the PMA Expo

Staff from the Market Development Division and Aquaculture Development Program coordinated the Hawaii exhibit at the 2004 Produce Marketing Association (PMA) exposition in Anaheim, CA in October.  The Hawaii booth attracted much attention. Hawaii produce faces stiff competition from many foreign countries which are emphasizing food safety, certification by third party auditors and compliance with Good Agricultural Practices (GAP).

The following Hawaii companies participated in the Hawaii exhibit:

Pacific Paradise Orchids, Gervais Orchids, Crown Pacific International, Inc., Hawaiian Sunshine Nursery, Asia Pacific Flowers, Inc., Hawaii Tropical Fruit Cooperative, Maui Onion Growers Association, Hawaii Papaya Industry Association, Wailea Agricultural Group, Pacific Floral Exchange, Inc., Puna Hawaii King Papaya Cooperative and Alembic International LLC.

Hawaii Seal of Quality

The new Hawaii Seal of Quality Program is scheduled to be launched next summer.

Since April, the Agricultural Development Division has been actively engaged in coordinating the marketing concept, from the creation of the brand platform and logo designs to an industry outreach program in the four counties. Meanwhile, the Quality Assurance Division has been working on drafting administrative rules to govern the program.

The program was established by the legislature to protect the integrity and value of the marketing cache for Hawaii branded farm and value-added products.  Hawaii is the strongest geographical point-of-origin brand in the world.  Yet, Hawaii farmers, food manufacturers, and others are not getting maximum value from the Hawaii name.  The Seal of Quality is intended to address this opportunity.  Under the program, there are three qualifying dimensions for products: origin, content requirement and quality requirement.  The Department is committed to establishing a credible branding program that enhances the value of our agricultural and value-added products. 

Updates in Combating Established Pests

Nettle Caterpillar Biocontrol

o     In mid-October, Plant Pest Control Manager Larry Nakahara conducted a successful exploratory trip to Taiwan to search for natural enemies of the nettle caterpillar, Darna pallivitta Moore, a pest with stinging hairs that is established in East Hawaii.  Close examinations by HDOA entomologists and taxonomist, showed that the parasitized larvae, collected by Nakahara and others in Taiwan, yielded a pteromalid endoparasitic wasp, an unknown ectoparasitic wasp, and signs of a tachinid (fly) parasitoid.  The parasitic wasps are being propagated and studied in quarantine to determine their suitability as potential biocontrol agents of the nettle caterpillar.  Arrangements have been made for more collections to be sent to Hawaii from Taiwan.

o     Working with researchers in New Zealand, Plant Pathologist Eloise Killgore reports that the banana poka biocontrol pathogen, Septoria passiflorae, exceeded expectations.  During a greenhouse testing in New Zealand, the pathogen infected all of the introduced Passiflora species in New Zealand with the exception of their native species. However, the fungus also infected the commercial passion fruit so release of the fungus requires more research.

Banana Bunchy Top Virus

o     Maui staff conducted a survey of Haiku for banana bunchy top virus.  No evidence of the virus was detected.

o     Hilo staff destroyed 2 mats, 7 banana plants infected with BBTV on two farms in Kipuka.

Coqui Frog

o     Hilo staff has acquired a new 300 gallon sprayer for coqui frog control. Outreach on coqui control continues with Hilo staff speaking to community associations and other public events.

o     The Oahu Invasive Species Committee reports very good control of the coqui frog infestation at the U.S. Army training area in Wahiawa.  Only 5 frogs are calling in about 5 acres of forested properties due to weekly spraying of citric acid.

o     Plant Quarantine animal specialists conducted a night survey of a nursery on Oahu's north shore to determine the level of infestation of coqui frogs.  Unfortunately, there was an increase in the population from our last survey.  The nursery will expand its spraying program in the area to address the problem.

o     HDOA Kauai staff continue to team with Kauai Invasive Species Committee staff to treat coqui frogs with citric acid in Lawai. In early November, a total of 300 gallons of 16% citric acid was applied during foliar and ground spraying.

o     Plant Quarantine staff drafted a new proposal to improve the present inter-island inspection protocol to prevent inter-island movement of coqui in plant exports. Comments on the draft proposal may be sent to the Plant Quarantine Branch.  To view the draft proposal, click here: /hdoa/pi/pq/Interisland_Inspection_Protocol_for_Coqui_Frog-DRAFT.pdf

Other Plant Pests

o     Maui reported that a recent survey for the invasive weed, clidemia, commonly known as Koster's curse, along the Hana Highway shows bio control agent Mompha trithalama Meyrick, a clidemia fruit-feeding caterpillar, was found to be well established at all release sites.  The average rate of infestation of the sampled berries was more than 80%.  The survey also revealed that this moth had not dispersed beyond a distance of five miles so redistribution activities are being planned.

o     Plant Pest Control staff from Oahu and Maui conducted a pest detection survey on Lanai for fireweed, salvinia, banana bunchy top virus and papaya ringspot disease.  Lanai appears to be free of these pests at this time.

o     Kauai staff, working with the Kauai Invasive Species Committee are continuing surveying and treating fountaingrass and other potential threats to pasturelands.

o     Oahu staff inspected Castle Junction for possible emergence of fireweed in hydro-mulch planting of carpetgrass seed originating from Australia.  The site inspection with the Department of Transportation and the private contractor found no fireweed at this time.  Staff also educated the DOT and private landscaper about fireweed identification and appropriate herbicide application.

o     Plant Pest Control personnel on Oahu have been surveying nurseries and garden shops for glassy-winged sharpshsooters (GWSS) in Kalihi, Pearl Harbor, Waimanalo, Kaneohe and areas between Pearl City and Honolulu.  They have discovered new hosts for GWSS such as fiddlewood, yellow Poinciana and erythrina (coral tree).

Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors

o     For the month of September 2004 – HDOA inspectors at Honolulu International Airport (HIA) detected 221 passengers with undeclared materials in baggage and detected 346 parcels of undeclared materials in baggage. 

The following are a sample of significant interceptions during the month of September 2004:

o      September 2 – Kona inspectors intercepted a shipment of 100 rhododendron plants from Azusa, California, a Sudden Oak Death disease-infected area.  USDA subsequently returned the plants to origin.

o      September 7 – Honolulu inspectors confiscated three mangoes (4 lbs) from a passenger from Florida.

o      September 7 – A fish (Bariancistrus aurantiacus) was confiscated at HIA from a Honolulu resident returning from Los Angeles.  The particular fish was part of a shipment of other allowed species, but was not on the approved list and was destroyed. 

o      September 8 – Hilo inspectors returned a FedEx carton of live crickets to its place of origin, as crickets are on the department's restricted list.

o      September 9 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed a shipment of 24 unhusked coconut handicrafts bound for Kona from Indonesia because the broker was unable to produce a certificate of treatment to prevent lethal yellowing disease from entering the state.

o      September 14 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed a total of 13 cartons of yellow bell peppers and 10 cartons of red bell peppers arriving from Los Angeles which were infested with Psyllids (Bactericera cockerelli), which is not known to be established in Hawaii.

o      September 14 – Hilo inspectors confiscated and destroyed 20 bunches of Veronica and 15 bunches of Sweet William cut flowers due to heavy infestation of whiteflies and leaf miners.

o      September 18 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed one carton of mizuna leaves bound for Kauai which were infested with leafhoppers.

o      September 19 – Oahu inspectors intercepted and returned to a Los Angeles shipper three bunches of sunflowers infested with rust and two bunches of pepperberry cuttings infested with Psyllids.

o      September 21 – Using peanut butter bait sticks, Hilo inspectors detected little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) in 36 manila palm plants.  The palms were part of a shipment of 262 assorted plants .  The manila palms were rejected and the other plants were treated with Diazinon before release to a Maui nursery.

o      September 27 – Oahu inspectors intercepted and returned 1 box (2 lbs.) of green coffee beans shipped via U.S. Postal Service from Portugal because the beans were not treated prior to shipment.

o      September 27 – Hilo inspectors confiscated and destroyed three pounds of marjoram infected with Puccinia sp., rust disease.

Animal Disease Surveillance

o     The Livestock Disease Control Branch continues statewide surveillance for bovine spongiform encephalopaty (BSE) (also commonly referred to Mad Cow Disease) on beef and dairy operations with cattle that are down, dead, showing neurological signs or signs consistent with BSE.  In the past one-year period (Nov. 03 - Nov. 04), HDOA has tested 129 downer animals, all results have been negative.

o     As part of HDOA's surveillance efforts for West Nile Virus, veterinarians throughout the State are being contacted weekly with reminders to report any cases of neurological disease symptoms in horses.  Serum samples from a horse on Maui was submitted to the Department of Health Bioterrorism Laboratory and the result was negative.

Recent Agricultural Loans Approved

The Hawaii Board of Agriculture approved the following loans after they were processed and approval was recommended by HDOA's Agricultural Loan Division:

o     August 2, 2004 - Samay & Ly Sourivong - $15,000. Loan to expand truck crop operation and to purchase supplies.

o      September 21, 2004 - Michael Tsuruda - Capital Improvement Loan of $18,353 and Operating Loan of $57,820. Loans to consolidate existing debt to improve operation's cash flow.

o      September 21, 2004 - Nursery Solutions, Inc. - Capital improvement loan of $60,000 and operating loan of $63,442. Loans to expand vanilla-growing operation.

o     October 26, 2004 - Orlando & Ellen Manuel - Operating loan of $75,000. Loan to expand papaya operation on the Big Island.

Other Current Issues

o      Waiahole Contested Case

In June 2004, the Hawaii Supreme Court, for the second time in the past several years, issued an opinion on the Water Commission’s Decision and Order on the Waiahole Contested Case.  The Supreme Court vacated in part the Water Commission’s 2002 decision and remanded for further findings and conclusions regarding:  (1) the designation of interim instream flow standards for windward streams; (2) the 2.2 mgd of unpermitted water; (3) the practicability of Campbell Estate and PMI using alternative ground water resources; (4) the actual needs of Field Nos. 115, 116, and 145; (5) the actual needs of 229 acres in Field Nos. 146; and (6) ADC’s permit for system losses. 

The outcome of the Waiahole case will have statewide implications on agricultural irrigation water.  It is projected that the next round of hearings, conducted by a hearing officer appointed by the Commission on Water Resource Management, will begin early next year.

Changes in Administration At HDOA

o            Samuel Camp, Administrator for the Quality Assurance Division retired on September 30th after 30+ years of service with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. He will be remembered for his strong commitment to providing Hawaii's agricultural industry with services that assured improved market quality of commodities and promoted fair trade and honest business practices. We wish him well in his retirement years.

o     HDOA also bid a warm aloha to Donald Martin, State Agricultural Statistician with the Hawaii Agricultural Statistical Service (HASS), who retired on August 31 after more than 37 years of service as a federal employee with the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).  Don has been recognized many times by USDA for his work over the years.  In June 2004, he was a recipient of the Secretary's Honor Award in Washington, D.C. for his outstanding leadership in providing statistics to promote efficient marketing of Hawaii's agricultural commodities. While we miss him, we hear he is enjoying his well-deserved retirement.

o          Mark Hudson is the new State Agricultural Statistician.  He arrived on October 12th after serving four years as Deputy Director of the New Jersey Statistical office of NASS. Raised on a farm in New Mexico, Hudson has worked within the NASS between 1987 - 1998 and since 2000. We welcome Mark and look forward to working with him.

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