#hawaii department of agriculture
Learn more about how invasive species impact Hawai‘i’s ecosystem
Throughout May, the interagency Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, co-chaired by the Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, is hosting volunteer opportunities and a series of free webinars led by local invasive species experts.
Honolulu and mainland egg prices comparable in latest data
The price of local and mainland eggs in Honolulu rose significantly in the first quarter of this year. However, the price between local and mainland eggs was comparable, according to latest statistics from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture, Market Analysis and News Branch.
Voluntary pause on interisland transport of poultry, other bird species extended 90 days
State’s surveillance of avian influenza, or bird flu, continues, and while no other birds have become ill from the virus, it has been detected in waste water on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. So state officials, out of an abundance of caution, said extending the pause is prudent at this time.
3-foot highly venomous yellow-bellied sea snake washes ashore at Big Island beach
A Hilo resident found the reptile pinned under a log Feb. 4 at Honoli‘i Beach, a popular surf spot and beach park about 2 miles northwest of Hilo.
Bird flu detected in samples collected at Līhuʻe Wastewater Treatment Plant
First detection was from wastewater sample collected Dec. 11, 2024. Samples collected Dec. 18, 2024, and Jan. 8, also had similar detections. They were so low that none were considered positive results; however, consistent very low detections indicate a high likelihood that H5 bird flu virus is on the Garden Isle.
Big-box store on Big Island’s west side traps opossum
An agriculture inspector from the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch in Kona retrieved the animal early Sunday morning and arranged for it to be transported to Honolulu. This was the second opossum in as many months to be captured in the islands.
A third opossum has been captured in Honolulu this year
Plant quarantine inspectors with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture trapped an opossum overnight at a big-box store in Iwilei. This marks the third opossum that has been captured on Oʻahu this year. The storage container where the opossum was trapped was not used for shipping.
H5 avian influenza detected on Big Island
Bird flu was found in influent collected Dec. 2 at Hilo Wastewater Treatment Plant. This is the first time the bird flu was detected in Hawaiʻi County and the first detection of the avian influenza on a neighbor island.
Store staff discovers 2-foot holiday hitchhiker slithering among Christmas tree shipment on Big Island
The gopher snake was discovered the morning of Nov. 16 by staff at a store that had unloaded about half of the trees from the container before the special delivery holiday hitchhiker was revealed.
Proposals for invasive species control projects sought by state Agriculture Department
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has opened three requests for proposals to assist in the control and management of invasive pests, including the coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ants and two-lined spittle bug.
Inspectors face off against stink bomb waiting to go off at Honolulu Harbor
The skunk was finally trapped Monday night after it had infiltrated Pier 1 for an unknown amount of time.
Opossum captured in Honolulu outside a downtown office building
Although opossums are less likely to carry rabies than other mammals, they are carriers of parasites and other diseases.
State accepting applications to fund small-scale agriculture projects
This is the fourth year of the grant program, which provides support for small-scale gardening, herding and livestock operations to increase the quantity and quality of locally grown food in food-insecure communities.
Hawai‘i Dept. of Agriculture awards grants to fight coconut rhinoceros beetles, for green waste management
3 grant awards were approved for projects by organizations to eliminate coconut rhinoceros beetles in green waste on Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu.
Proposals sought for coconut rhinoceros beetles management in green waste
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture is seeking proposals from nonprofit organizations to eliminate coconut rhinoceros beetles on O‘ahu, and another to support green waste management on Maui, Moloka‘i, Hawai‘i island, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu.
A bill headed to the governor’s desk would fund programs and jobs to battle invasive species in Hawai‘i
The bill commits nearly $20 million to Hawai‘i Department of Education to assist in the administration and implementation of their Biosecurity Program, including 44 new positions.
Several events, volunteer opportunities scheduled during Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month
This year’s theme is “Who Protects Hawaiʻi? We All Do,” underscoring the collaborative approach necessary to address and effectively manage the risks invasive species pose.
Coffee labeling standards bill gets final approval from Hawaiʻi Legislature
House Bill 2298, introduced by Big Island state Rep. Nicole Lowen, mandates that as of July 1, 2027, any coffee labeled or advertised with a Hawaiʻi geographic origin must consist of at least 51% coffee, by weight, from that region.
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture receives landmark support from State Legislature
H.B. 2619, which appropriates almost $20 million, awaits a final vote by the Senate and House of Representatives.
