Department of Agriculture

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.

The department’s Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals just approved a rule to stop the movement of all potential CRB breeding material from Oʻahu to other islands.

The state Department of Agriculture said it’s moving along with its invasive species action plans, although it hasn’t provided any information about them. HPR's Mark Ladao explains the latest.

A new affliction called papaya mushy canker disease has been identified on Guam. So far, there's no way to treat an infected plant. A researcher says there would be serious economic implications if the disease spread to Hawaiʻi. The Conversation's Maddie Bender has more.

An opossum has been captured at a freight company in Kalihi on Oʻahu. This is the second opossum caught in Hawaiʻi this summer.

Farmers in the Hawaiʻi Hemp Task Force have complained about a lack of input and also want time to review and discuss a state Department of Agriculture report that will guide lawmakers on the industry’s needs. HPR's Mark Ladao explains.

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s been vocal in his criticism that the department hasn’t moved quickly enough to manage invasive species in the state, last week called out the department again.

The state Department of Agriculture is now accepting applications for its Micro-Grant for Food Security Program, which supports small-scale agriculture projects. The department received $3.5 million from the federal government for the program.