Department of Agriculture

It’s not entirely clear how many dogs are being used in Hawaiʻi for invasive species detection, but some estimate more than a dozen between various organizations and state and federal agencies. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke spoke to HPR about a Hawaiʻi agriculture delegation's recent visit to Washington, D.C., where they discussed Hawaiʻi's significant export barriers as an island state.

Federal freezes and cuts continue to stall millions of dollars meant to support local agriculture, but advocates and professionals continue to make the case for those targeted programs and initiatives. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

About two dozen local agriculture leaders are meeting with federal officials this week in Washington, D.C., in hopes of strengthening agriculture and biosecurity in Hawaiʻi.

Little fire ant infestations continue to concern the state. In response, the state Department of Agriculture has launched a program to eradicate these invasive pests across Hawaiʻi.

Lawmakers nixed a proposal to move the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council from under the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. Local conservation advocates and invasive species experts opposed moving HISC from the start.

As measures to manage pests continue to move through this session, state officials are urging lawmakers to also provide the necessary resources to carry them out.

A new, 30-acre infestation of little fire ants in Hauʻula has prompted a renewed call for better invasive species management in Hawaiʻi. Last week, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed a part of the Hauʻula Forest Reserve on Oʻahu to eradicate the ants.

Federal spending cuts and firings have already been felt locally, and it's becoming clear that there’s another impact they could have. HPR's Mark Ladao reports on the battle to keep invasive species out of Hawaiʻi.

Officials gathered Monday at Honolulu airport to launch Akamai Arrival, a pilot program that will roll out digital declaration forms on select domestic routes. The Conversation spoke to Jonathan Ho, plant quarantine branch manager for the state Department of Agriculture, to learn more.