The federal government has awarded nearly $400,000 to Hawaiʻi for activities related to pesticide compliance and enforcement.
The state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Pesticides Branch has received a grant of $382,325 from the Environmental Protection Agency for fiscal year 2027, which ends Sept. 30, 2027.
“This funding is pivotal in our mission to ensure pesticides are used in a safe, responsible manner across the state,” said Esther Riechert, Pesticides Branch Manager, in a news release.
Her branch will use the money to support three positions: two inspectors and one chemist.
The pesticides branch, which is responsible for enforcing federal and state pesticide regulations, investigates the illegal use or sale of pesticides and conducts outreach about pesticide safety.
