Department of Agriculture

Lawmakers grilled the state agriculture department for its management of a $10 million fund it received last year for biosecurity. In an informational briefing last week, Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole noted that the department has only spent about $1 million of that funding so far.

Hawaiʻi's Agriculture Department is asking state lawmakers for an additional $28 million in general funds over the next two years. HPR's Mark Ladao reports on the department's top priorities and what the money will go towards.

The state Department of Agriculture was called before the Senate on Tuesday afternoon to discuss its budget. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote reports on the department's biosecurity budget wishlist.

In response to the detection of the avian flu virus in Hawaiʻi, state agencies are asking the public to hold off on moving poultry and other bird species between islands for the next three months.

The source of avian flu is believed to be from a backyard bird sanctuary in Wahiawā. The Conversation talked to Susan Wilkinson, the founder of the sanctuary, about the timeline of events.

A group of key state lawmakers and staff, including those from the state Department of Agriculture, visited New Zealand in September to learn more about how the island nation prevents and manages invasive species.

Following the outcome of the presidential election, there could be a push to pass a new federal Farm Bill before President-elect Donald Trump takes office in January. Hawaiʻi U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, who sits on the U.S. House on Agriculture, said even Republican lawmakers in agriculture are motivated to get the bill passed.

The state Department of Agriculture is holding an educational event this weekend on invasive and illegal species, with the hope that more people learn more about its Amnesty Program.

The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture is hunting for invasive plant diseases as part of a nationwide survey effort. The Conversation talked to plant pathologist Josiah Marquez about the project.

On Tuesday, the board voted to approve a set of administrative rules that would, in part, designate quarantine areas infested with invasive pests. Now, the rules will go to the state’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board for comment, and then have to be approved by the governor.