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HDOA E-News: May 31, 2006
Aloha!
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is pleased to bring you the May 2006 edition of the HDOA e-newsletter.
The 2005-2006 legislative session proved successful for agriculture in Hawaii, providing the industry with added protection against damage or vandalism during instances of agricultural theft, much-needed funds for the repair and maintenance of irrigation systems, and additional support for agricultural research and market development, among other important measures.
Of critical importance to our agricultural industry and unique ecology, the legislature also responded positively to HDOA’s new Biosecurity Strategy.
The HDOA Biosecurity Strategy was developed following the evaluation of important baseline data collected through risk assessments and nursery surveys funded by the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC). The plan calls for tightening biosecurity for import and intrastate movement, promoting farmer viability by expanding export markets, and growing more produce in Hawaii to reduce our dependence on imports. Lawmakers funded the first portion of the plan to tighten biosecurity by significantly increasing the number of inspector positions at our ports of entry.
HDOA is in the process of planning and implementing the tightening of biosecurity, and is currently waiting for a decision on a $2 million grant application to the Department of Homeland Security to fund shared data systems and a joint-use inspection facility on Oahu for state and federal plant inspectors, which is also part of the strategy.
We appreciate the support of the lawmakers and their staff who took the time to learn about HDOA’s Biosecurity Strategy and provided funds to help us tighten biosecurity.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (808) 973-9550 should have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sandra Lee Kunimoto
Chairperson, Board of Agriculture
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NEW PSYLLID DETECTED ON BIG ISLAND
CITRUS DISEASE NOT DETECTED
HDOA staff on all islands have been conducting detection surveys after the Asian citrus psyllid (ACP) was identified in the Hilo area of the Big Island in early May. A Waiakea resident submitted a branch from his navel orange tree that was heavily infested with aphids. During examination, HDOA Hilo staff noticed another insect and tentatively identified it as the ACP. Specimens were immediately sent to HDOA’s insect taxonomist in Honolulu who concurred. The Western Plant Diagnostic Network in California was informed. Additional specimens were sent to the USDA-ARS Systematic Entomology Laboratory in Beltsville, MD and confirmed as ACP.
ACP itself is not a major pest of citrus; however, they are known to be vectors of citrus greening disease (CGD), a very serious bacterial disease of citrus. There is no known cure for CGD and tree removal is the only control option. At the time of discovery, staff also sent leaves to the National Plant Germplasm and Biotechnology Laboratory in Beltsville and tests on the specimen were negative for CGD.
HDOA has been working extensively with USDA-APHIS-PPQ to determine the extent of the ACP problem. HDOA staff on all islands are continuing to survey nurseries, retail stores and other areas for ACP. So far, the insect has been found in the Hilo to Volcano area of the Big Island. Surveys for the disease (CGD), which has not been found to date, will continue.
To view the New Pest Advisory, go to the department’s website at: /hdoa/organization/pi/pi_pc/npa06-01-ACP.pdf
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EMERGENCY AGRICULTURAL LOANS
The Agricultural Loan Division continues to process emergency loan applications from farmers who suffered damage from the rains in March and April. So far, 45 farmers have applied for loans. Under administrative rules, the Chairperson can approve loans of $25,000 or less and she has approved 13 loans totaling about $330,000. There are another three loans that are for amounts greater than $25,000 that are pending approval from the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. Another 24 loan applications are currently being processed, two loans have been referred to federal agencies, two loans have been denied and one has been withdrawn. Staff continue to meet with farmers who are considering applying for emergency loans, which have an interest rate of three percent. For more information, go to the department’s website at: /hdoa/organization/agl/agl
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SEALS OF QUALITY PROGRAM LAUNCHES
Governor Linda Lingle and Lt. Governor Duke Aiona unveiled the new “Hawai`i Seals of Quality” program, at a news conference and reception at Washington Place on May 9. The program is a branding designation aimed at increasing the profile of fresh and process agricultural products.
At the launch, twelve Hawai`i companies were recognized as founding members of the Seals of Quality Program, representing products ranging from fruits and vegetables to nursery products, coffee and homegrown beef, to value-added products. Participating companies are required to sign a limited license agreement with HDOA to use the logo according to the standards established, which include requirements that:
- products have a Hawa`i point of origin;
- fresh products must be 100 percent grown in Hawai`i;
- value-added products (processed agricultural and food products) contain primary agricultural product that is entirely produced in Hawai`i; and
- products must meet quality standards set by the state and trade associations.
A licensing fee of one-half cent per impression or 105 percent of the printing cost for Seals of Quality stickers will be collected. The fees will be used to offset the cost to administer, market and promote the program. The program is initially being funded by HDOA and the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Specialty Crop Fund. HDOA has so far sold more than 500,000 labels/impressions.
For more information, go to the department’s website at: /hdoa/organization/add/add_md/SOQ
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HDOA ISSUES CRISIS EXEMPTION TO CONTROL BANANA APHID WITH IMIDACLOPRID
The use of Imidaclorprid (Provado®) to control banana aphids was authorized by HDOA under crisis exemption provisions of Section 18 of the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act. This enables participating growers to control the spread of banana bunchy top virus. The crisis exemption was needed because EPA’s Emergency Response Team continues to receive more requests that can be processed expeditiously. Use of Provado® began on April 10, under the notification to EPA. For more information, contact the Pesticides Branch in Honolulu at (808) 973-9401.
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DESIGN WORK FOR PAAUILO RENDERING PLANT TO BEGIN
The Agricultural Resource Management Division (ARMD) reports that the design contract for the renovation and equipment upgrade for the Paauilo Rendering Plant has been awarded to Excel Designs, Inc. by the Department of Accounting and General Services (DAGS). The notice to proceed is expected soon and the design phase should be completed by the end of October 2006. The $108,000 Contract will include plans and specifications for repairs and/or renovations to the metal building housing the rendering equipment and related structures. Repairs and/or upgrades to the rendering equipment will be solicited by the state under a separate contract.
Rendering plants process the by-products of slaughtered livestock. Upgrades to the rendering plant will allow the increased capacity of the Paauilo Slaughterhouse.
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HIGHLIGHTS IN COMBATING ESTABLISHED PESTS BY ISLAND
(The following is a sampling of recent activities by the Plant Industry Division, Plant Pest Control Branch and Pesticides Branch)
Big Island
· Hilo staff is assisting a Hilo orchid nursery in treating coqui frog infestation with a mixture of a foaming agent and hydrated lime. The concept was introduced by the nursery owner and involved applying the foam mixture on the foliage to determine if the dilution can remain active for a longer period, hopefully increasing the duration and efficacy of the lime or citric acid.
· Hilo staff worked with CTAHR to conduct chemical trials using insecticides as drenches for control of little fire ants (LFA) in potted plants. CTAHR personnel will assist in the trials with bulk density determinations and hot water dip treatments.
· In May, the priority for Hilo staff has been the extensive survey efforts around the island for the Asian citrus psyllid mentioned earlier in this report.
Oahu
· Oahu insectary staff received several shipments of possible biocontrol agents of the erythrina gall wasp (EGW) that were sent from South Africa by a team of UH-CTAHR-PEPS researchers. The researchers are collaborating with the HDOA-Plant Pest Control staff on the EGW biocontrol project. Insectary staff processed the shipments, which consisted mostly of galled erythrina leaves. The leaves were placed in cages to await the emergence of potential EWG biocontrol agents. Earlier this year, HDOA exploratory entomologist Mohsen Ramadan, also conducted a search for biocontrol agents in Tanzania.
· Oahu PPC staff removed and treated dozens of flowering fountaingrass plants from the rock face along the Pali Highway, Pauoa on-ramp. This site has been infested with fountaingrass for many years and the population has been reduced from numbers in the hundreds a few years ago to a few remaining plants.
· PPC staff treated long-thorn kiawe seedlings in an area in Kapalama. Heavy rains in March and April caused many seeds to germinate. They also revisited a ravine adjacent to a Kahaluu townhomes to treat false kava plants after heavy rains caused resprouting.
· Oahu staff met with members of the Hawaii Kai community garden to educate gardeners on detecting and treating banana bunchy top virus (BBTV). About a dozen plants were tagged for gardeners to destroy.
Kauai
·PPC staff and members of the Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC) surveyed a coqui infested area in Lawai over a period of two nights. They hand-captured about 18 frogs and treated the area with citric acid. Additional spraying over a 15-acre area was conducted with hydrated lime. Staff also counseled a nursery owner in the infestation zone on treatment of movement of potted plants. KISC and HDOA crews also returned to spray 100 gallons of lime over a half acre from afternoon to dusk and switched to citric acid in the evening.
·Kauai PPC staff conducted a survey at Salt Pond at Hanapepe for fountaingrass seedlings and plants. Twenty small clumps of immature seedlings were found and destroyed at the site.
·PPC staff worked on control of arundo, or giant reed, in Kekaha by the Old Kekaha Sugar Mill. They applied glyphosate and also mechanically cut down an area of 300 square feet. More work is needed to cut back the remaining plants.
·PPC staff continually work at the Kekaha/Mana Drag Strip to control long-thorn kiawe. Over the past six weeks, they sprayed herbicide and cut down a total of 5,600 square feet of long-thorn kiawe.
Maui
· Staff conducted surveys to detect red imported fire ant (RIFA) and little fire ant (LFA) at Kahului Airport and Kahului Harbor. These surveys are part of the ongoing USDA-funded program for RIFA surveys throughout the state. No RIFA or LFA were found. The date will be entered in theHDOA database, as well as the national survey database.
· Staff hiked about three miles of the Lahaina Pali Trail to survey for noxious weeds. In the past, there were reports of fireweed on the trail, but none were detected on the western half of the trail. A survey of the eastern half of the trail will be conducted later.
· Staff conducted BBTV and general weed surveys on Lanai. No BBTV or noxious weeds were found in residential areas of Lanai City and commercial farm lots near Lanai Airport.
· Surveys continue for BBTV on Maui. In Lahaina, a total of 26 diseased banana mats were either treated or tagged for destruction. About 45 BBTV-infected mats in Kula and four mat in Kihei were also tagged for destruction by the owner. Staff also responded to a call from a Kahului resident and found four infected mats and three in neighbor’s yard.
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PREVENTING NEW INTRODUCTIONS OF PESTS
Seed Lab
· The Seed Lab examined and cleared nine lots of vegetable seeds (345 lbs.) imported from Hong Kong. They also examined three lots (70 lbs.) of vegetable seeds imported from Japan. One lot was found to be contaminated with a type of millet seed and was refused entry due to quarantine restrictions prohibiting millet seeds from Japan.
· Thirteen lots of pet feed were examined for noxious weeds and three lots were found to be contaminated with seeds of Russian thistle, which is on Hawaii’s Noxious Weed List. The weed seeds germinated and the distributors of the feed were required to remove the product from sale.
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INTERCEPTIONS BY PLANT QUARANTINE INSPECTORS
(The following is a sampling of recent interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors)
Inspectors statewide confiscated and destroyed a number of shipments of strawberries due to infestations of a variety of aphids not known to occur in Hawaii. The following is a sample of larger shipments of strawberries that were confiscated and destroyed during the months of April and May:
April 9 – Oahu – 80 cartons of clamshell strawberries from Los Angeles
April 18 – Maui – 10 boxes (80 lbs.) from San Francisco
April 20 – Kona – 29 cartons in two shipments from San Francisco
Oahu – 60 cartons from Los Angeles
April 24 – Kona – three cartons from San Francisco
April 27 – Maui – two shipments eight cases (80 lbs.) and 10 cases (100 lbs.) both from
Los Angeles on different airlines
May 5 – Kona – two flats of strawberries from San Francisco
May 6 – Maui – 24 cases (240 lbs.) from Los Angeles
May 8 – Oahu – 112 cartons from San Francisco
May 9 – Kona – 15 flats from San Francisco
Kona – three flats from San Francisco
Maui – four cases (24 lbs.) from Los Angeles
May 10 – Oahu – 165 cartons from San Francisco
May 22 – Maui – 36 parcels (300 lbs.) from Los Angeles
April 5 – Oahu inspectors confiscated a carton of gladiolus cut flowers for an Oahu florist due to symptoms of a rust infection. The flowers were shipped from Florida via FedEx. Samples were sent to the department’s plant pathologist for identification.
April 6 – Kona inspectors confiscated and froze one box (12 bunches) of organic green kale that were heavily infested with aphids. The kale from California was shipped via United Airlines.
Between April 6 – 8 – Jordan, Maui’s detector dog and handler Inspector John Frostad detected 120 instances of agricultural material in passenger hand-carry and checked baggage. Thirty-five of the ag material detected were not declared on the “Plants and Animals Declaration Form.” (Jordan was retired from service on May 23.)
April 9 – Maui inspectors detected fungal lesions on a shipment of mini carnations, which originated from Columbia. The disease was identified by HDOA plant pathologist as one that is not known to occur in Hawaii. The six boxes containing 180 bunches of flowers were treated and destroyed. The shipment arrived via American Airlines from Los Angeles.
April 10 – Honolulu inspectors froze an entire air container of mixed produce after finding aphids on organic leafy vegetables, outside of the vegetable cartons, on the container ceiling and on plastic sheets in the container. The produce, consigned to a Honolulu produce wholesaler arrived via Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles.
April 11 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed a bag containing 50 tiger shovelnose catfish, which is on the prohibited list of animals.
April 12 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed one box of 300 plants, which were infested with slugs. The shipment from San Francisco arrived via United Airlines and was consigned to a Maui nursery.
April 20 – Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed two boxes of baby red oak lettuce grown in California, due to heavy infestation with aphids and thrips. The lettuce was contained in an air container with other mixed produce on a United Airlines flight from San Francisco.
April 24 – At Kawaihae, Kona inspectors refused entry of a 24-foot Matson container of bulk chicken feed due to heavy infestation with maggots and adult beetles. They also refused entry of another 24-foot Matson container of bulk cattle feed, due to heavy infestation with psocids and grubs, including larvae in the Pyralidae family, an insect not known to occur in Hawaii. Both containers arrived from Oregon.
April 27 – Oahu and Hilo inspectors confiscated and destroyed two cartons of impatiens consigned to a Big Island nursery after the plants were found to be infected with a fungus disease not known to occur in Hawaii. The plants arrived via FedEx from Illinois.
April 30 – Oahu inspectors held two barrels of untreated green Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee beans which were eventually shipped out to Japan by the owner. Green coffee beans require treatment before it may be imported to Hawaii.
On May 6 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed three shipments of delphinium due to infection with the same fungal disease. Shipments destroyed included 19 and 27 bunches of delphinium from California and 10 bunches from Ecuador. On May 3rd, Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed two bunches of delphinium from California.
May 8 – one Matson container with 298 bags of green coffee beans was refused entry because the fumigant used was not approved.
May 18 – Hilo inspectors used peanut butter bait sticks to detect little fire ants on 62 Alocasia and Heliconia plants from a Hilo nursery, which were destined for a Maui nursery. They shipment was rejected.
May 19 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed nine lbs. of fresh pineapple from three passengers who arrived from Salt Lake City on Delta Airlines.
May 21 – Kauai inspectors confiscated and destroyed 2.2 lbs. of sand mixed with soil. Soil is prohibited entry into Hawaii. The mix was destroyed by heat treatment.
May 23 – Inspectors conducting the Hilo Risk Assessment rejected a shipment of 100 Phoenix roebellini plants after finding nettle caterpillar. The plants were from a Hilo nursery and destined for an Oahu nursery.
May 24 – Hilo Risk Assessment inspectors found nettle caterpillar in a shipment of Rhapis palm plants from a Mountainview nursery destined for an Oahu nursery.
OTHER INVESTIGATIONS
· Maui staff responded to a sighting of a large lizard on a hillside next to the Maui Community College dormitories. HDOA staff was assisted in a search by the Maui Invasive Species Committee. Although possible tail drag marks were found in the sand, no lizard was captured.
· Kauai pesticides inspectors investigated a complaint that an employee of an irrigation company sprayed chemicals to control annual grasses in turf, which had a blue dye and colored cattle egrets a baby blue color. The investigation resulted in a notice of violation because the applicator was not wearing appropriate safety equipment and was smoking a cigarette while spraying. A fine of $900 was agreed to by the company.
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ANIMAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE
(The following is a sampling of activities by the Animal Industry’s Livestock Disease Control Branch)
National Animal Identification System (NAIS)
Only about 15 percent of the state’s livestock premises have been registered or are in the process of being registered under the National Animal Identification System. It is important that livestock premises register with the program so the industry and government will be able to rapidly respond to any event of an animal disease outbreak in the state. To learn more about the program and obtain registration information, go to the department’s website at: /hdoa/ai/HAPIS.htm
The Animal Industry Division has contracted with CTAHR-CES to conduct outreach activities to raise the number of registered premises.
Molokai Trapping Efforts Continue
Increased trapping efforts are ongoing in the Mapulehu area where feral swine were recently found with bovine tuberculosis.
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MARKETING
(The following is a sampling of recent activities in the Agricultural Development Division)
HDOA Supports the Promotion and Sales of Kona Coffee Nationally and Internationally
The HDOA sponsored the participation of the Kona Coffee Council (KCC) in the 2006 Specialty Coffee Association of America (SCAA) convention. The show offered the opportunity to strengthen and expand business relationships between Kona Coffee producers and buyers from around the world. This year, the convention was held in Charlotte, North Carolina on April 7-10, 2006.
The coffee buyers that visited Hawaii's booth were interested both in Kona green and roasted coffee to be purchased directly from Kona. KCC representatives distributed over 150 farmer-direct lists and over 200 Kona Coffee brochures. Hawaii was also exposed to organizations that support women (http://www.womenincoffee.org) and children of workers (http://www.coffeekids.org) in the coffee business. HDOA, through its Matching marketing funds, will continue to support activities that facilitate access to the global market place in a world which is growing increasingly global. As a result, Hawaii's coffee industry will become more competitive and better equipped to sell worldwide.
For more information about the event and KCC, please visit http://www.kona-coffee-council.com
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FARMER ASSISTANCE
USDA National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program:
Funds are still available for the USDA National Organic Certification Cost-Sharing Program. The Market Development Branch of the Agricultural Development Division is administering this USDA program to reimburse organic producers and handlers 75 percent of their certification cost (up to a maximum of $500). The fourth increment of reimbursement checks was recently mailed to organic applicants in the form of thirteen checks totaling more than $4,000. As of May 15, 2006, applications totaling nearly $24,000 have been received. The program is open to organic producers and handlers on a one-time basis. If funding is still available on May 1, 2008, repeat applications will be requested. Applications are available for download from our website at /hdoa/add/add_md For more information go to the USDA website at http://www.ams.usda.gov/nop/indexIE.htm or contact: Barbara Schafer, Market Development Branch at e-mail: barbara.j.schafer@hawaii.gov or by phone (973-9595) or fax (973-9590).
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WORKSHOPS
Free Coqui Training Class June 6 in Pahoa
The Coqui Frog Work Group in partnership with the County of Hawaii, HDOA, UH-CTAHR, USDA and Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) will provide a training class and sprayer demonstration on Tuesday, June 6, 2006 from 6:00 – 8:00 pm at the Pahoa Community Center. The agenda includes information on coqui life cycles, strategies for control, chemical safety, spraying techniques, large capacity sprayer training and community resources.
The class is free and attendees will receive a voucher for one free 50 pound bag of Hydrated Lime from the HIEDB-Coqui Project. The class is free, but reservations are required. For reservations please call Howard Lontoc, County of Hawaii-Coqui Eradication & Control Coordinator at 961-8066.
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EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
· Staff from the Market Development Branch and Plant Quarantine set up educational booths on Saturday, May 20th at the Wahiawa District Park. The booth displayed fresh pineapples, historical photos, pineapple recipes, and the “Buy Fresh, Buy Local” seasonality chart. The event featured a parade, arts & crafts displays, games and activities for children, and pineapple culinary creations from celebrity chefs. Approximately 7,500 people attended the day-long event.
· Maui staff participated in the Maui Community College Agriculture and Natural Resources Awareness Day, speaking to more than 240 high school students about careers in agriculture. Maui staff also participated in the Earth Day event at Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, providing the public with information on new insects and other plant pest.
· Hilo staff participated in the first Big Island Agricultural and Environment Awareness Day coordinated by CTAHR. About 350 fifth graders and their teachers and chaperones attended. Oahu PQ inspectors also participated with displays on invasive species.
· Kauai staff participated in the Ag Awareness day at the Wailua Experiment Station, sponsored by the Kauai Farm Bureau. About 500 students visited the agricultural displays.
· In April, PQ staff gave a presentation to 40 Kamehameha Schools kindergarteners, and 24 kindergarteners from Trinity Christian School.
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To visit the HDOA website: click here.
For more information, please call (808) 973-9560 or e-mail: hdoa.info@hawaii.gov