HDOA E-News |
August 31, 2005
E-News From the Hawaii Department of Agriculture
Agro-Terrorism Exercise Held
HDOA and State Civil Defense (SCD) held an agro-terrorism tabletop exercise on August 30 that focused on government’s response to a possible terrorist attack via an infectious animal disease. The exercise involved about 115 participants from various state, county and federal agencies, including the State Departments of Health, Land and Natural Resources, Public Safety, Attorney General’s Office; U.S. Department of Agriculture; FBI; City & County of Honolulu, including HPD and Oahu Civil Defense. The scenario centered around a possible outbreak of avian influenza on an imaginary Oahu poultry farm and representatives of the poultry industry also participated in the exercise.
The scenario was designed to facilitate the exchange of information and procedures between government agencies and to identify areas that need to be developed or improved to enhance each agency’s response. The exercise also brought together key personnel that would respond to a possible incident of agro-terrorism, helping to increase communication and collaboration between departments within all sectors of government.
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Maui’s Rasmussen Appointed to Hawaii Board of Agriculture
Governor Linda Lingle has appointed Maui flower grower Craig Rasmussen as an at-large member of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. He fills the vacancy created by the expiration of the term of Susan Matsushima.
Rasmussen is a co-owner along with wife Teena of Paradise Flower Farms, Inc., a business they started in 1979. They grow cut flowers, lei flowers, roses, bulbs and foliage.
To view the news release, go to: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsreleases.htm
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HDOA is awaiting formal word from Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF) on the approval for Hawaii to export potted anthuriums to Japan.
In June, a plant quarantine inspector from MAFF arrived in Hilo and worked with HDOA staff to conduct a test to validate that growers in Hawaii can produce market-ready potted anthuriums free of burrowing nematodes.
HDOA and USDA has been working for about 10 years to establish a protocol acceptable to MAFF that would certify growers to ship potted anthuriums. Currently, only cut flowers are allowed to be shipped to Japan.
During the June meetings in Hilo, HDOA received an indication that the protocol will be approved; however, public hearing were to be scheduled in Japan this summer.
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Erythrina Gall Wasp Spreading
HDOA staff on all islands continue surveying for erythrina gall wasp as distribution expands. Infestations were recently detected on Maui and the Big Island. The gall wasp is having a devastating impact on native wiliwili trees, especially on Oahu.
HDOA’s New Pest Alert is continually being updated and is available on the department website at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/npa.htm
Staff from the Plant Pest Control and Pesticides Branch are working with CTAHR and a pesticide company in conducting insecticide trials to find effective pesticides and techniques to combat this new gall wasp.
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Hawaii Agricultural Statistics Wrapping Up Ag Theft Survey
On June 1, the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics (HAS) has mailed out the Agricultural Theft and Crime Survey to 1,127 farms around the state. HAS staff have followed up by mail, telephone and personal visit to those who have not turned in the survey. Farmers who received the survey and have not yet responded may call HAS toll-free at 1-800-804-9514 and they will gladly take the information over the phone.
Participation in this survey is important to determine the extent of ag theft in Hawaii and the amount of losses to farm operators. HAS worked with the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation to develop the survey, which is the first of its kind in the nation that the National Agricultural Statistics Service has authorized. Results are expect to be published this Fall.
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Pesticides Branch Conducts Workshops on the Proper Use of Hydrated Lime
Staff from the Pesticides Branch held workshops around the state, instructing residents and nursery operators on the proper use of hydrated lime to control coqui infestation. The branch held the workshops in response to reports of improper use of the product, which is a caustic chemical.
In April 2005, the Environmental Protection Agency approved HDOA’s request for an emergency exemption allowing the use of hydrated lime on coqui frogs. However, the labeled use of the product required that it be applied in spray form by homeowners. There were reports that residents were improperly using hydrated lime in its dust form, which could cause serious health problems.
For more information, view the news release at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-09.htm
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HDOA and CTAHR facilitated a $300,000 USDA grant to Pacific Gateway to conduct outreach to underserved farmers on Oahu and the Big Island, especially those who are not fluent in English. The areas of focus will be on providing farmers with information on food safety, pesticide use, ag theft and land availability.
For more information, view the news release at: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-13.htm
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Highlights in Combating Established Pests
§ Big Island staff report that the product Esteem Ant Bait is very attractive to the little fire ants, but further studies are needed to determine effectiveness of this insect growth regulator product. If this product is effective, it could be used on various field and sub-tropical fruit crops.
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Preventing New Introductions of Pests
In early June, Plant Quarantine Branch personnel from Oahu and Maui attended a refresher training course in Guam on the detection and rapid response to sightings of possible brown treesnakes. The week-long session provided staff with latest research information on detection, handling, trapping and incident command techniques. Continuing funding was provided from the U.S. Department of Interior.
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Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors
(The following is a sampling of interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors during the months of April and May 2005)
April 11 – Kona inspectors intercepted 216 flats strawberries infested with Chaetosiphon thomasi, an aphid not known to occur in Hawaii; via air cargo from San Francisco, California. The shipment was refused entry and returned to origin.
April 13 – Hilo inspectors intercepted 3 bags (402 lbs.) of green coffee beans consigned to a Kurtistown coffee company. The importer did not have an import permit and no certificate of treatment accompanied the shipment as mandated in Chapter 4-70-19, HAR. The shipment was refused entry and returned to origin.
April 14 – 10 bags of daikon and 5 boxes lemon grass for a Honolulu produce wholesaler were confiscated and destroyed at the expense of the importer because of restrictions in chapter 70, HAR. The importer was cited because this was not the first time the company had brought in the same commodities. The restricted produce were included in an LD2 of produce which arrived on Hawaiian Airlines from Los Angeles.
April 18 – 8 pallets (1053 flats) strawberries for a retailer were returned to the shipper by Oahu inspectors because the strawberries were infested with aphids.
April 29 – 63 palm plants were removed and destroyed from 37 cartons assorted plants going to a military commissary because of restrictions on importing hosts of lethal yellowing disease. The plants arrived via Federal Express from Florida.
May 2 – 10 cartons (100 lbs.) of baby turnips for a Waikiki hotel were confiscated and destroyed by Oahu inspectors because the turnips were not treated prior to being shipped to Hawaii from Los Angeles.
May 3 – Oahu inspectors confiscated destroyed 216 cartons of strawberries and 108 cartons of strawberries with stems due to infestations of aphids which are not known to be established in Hawaii. The strawberries arrived in a container on a container ship from Oakland.
May 9 – Hilo inspectors inspecting construction equipment arriving on a PASHA ship from San Diego, intercepted a payloader with soil in the bucket. The payloader was released after 21 lbs. of soil was removed. The soil was sterilized by autoclave. On the same day, Maui inspectors inspecting a shipment of private vehicles on a PASHA ship intercepted an Isuzu dump truck contaminated with soil. Approximately 20 lbs. of soil was removed before the truck was released.
May 9 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed 62 cases of asparagus arriving on a United Airlines flight due to heavy infestation of thrips. On May 16, 68 cases of asparagus also arriving on United Airlines were also destroyed. Both shipments were consigned to a Maui retailer.
May 10 – 14 cartons mixed bouquets containing carnations infested with a fungus not known to be established in Hawaii were returned to the shipper. The flowers arrived via Federal Express from Florida.
May 19 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed 278 cartons of strawberries from an American Airlines flight from Los Angeles because of infestations of aphids not known to be established in Hawaii. Also, 80 trays of strawberries with aphids were confiscated and destroyed after arriving on an Hawaiian Airlines flight from Los Angeles.
May 21 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed 80 cases of strawberries arriving via United Airlines due to infestation of aphids.
May 23 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed 250 bunches of peonies infested with insects which arrived via United Airlines.
May 25 – Custom Border Patrol (CBP) officers captured and submitted to the Plant Quarantine Branch a black spine toad and an Asian tree frog found in a container originating from India. The animals were found during an inspection of a container of slate used for concrete walls. During closer inspection, PQB inspectors retrieved two dead frog skeletons. It appeared that the shipment was not fumigated properly and PQB ordered the consignee to fumigate the container.
May 29 – Oahu Risk Assessment inspections intercepted 10 cartons of papaya fruits infected with Papaya Ringspot Virus (PRV) and the shipment was returned to the shipper in California. The papaya fruits were among shipment of mixed produce destined for a produce wholesaler in Honolulu. The origin of the papayas was Mexico and although PRV is present on Oahu, the possibility of introduction of a new strain of the virus may occur if infected fruits are allowed to enter the state.
May 29 – Oahu Risk Assessment inspections intercepted and destroyed five cartons of Dracaena tricolor, one carton of Con petra and one carton of sanseviera for a Waimanalo nursery due to disease and infestations of slugs. The origin of the plants was Costa Rica.
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On April 21, Plant Quarantine staff, in collaboration with the Maui Invasive Species Committee, DLNR conducted three night searches in an area on Maui known to have a population of illegal veiled chameleons. A total of three veiled chameleons were found, ranging from 8 inches to 15 inches long. Another three-night search was conducted in May, which led to the capture of one veiled chameleon.
On June 30, a Manoa family captured a two-foot-long Solomon Island Prehensile-tailed skink and called inspectors. Plant Quarantine inspectors conducted an area search with no additional animals sighted. To view the news release on this incident, go to: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-11.htm
On August 14, a Kuliouou resident found a 3-and-a-half foot snake in his garage at about 11:30 p.m. Police were called, who then called Plant Quarantine inspectors who captured the ball python. To view the news release on this incident, go to: http://www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/newsrelease/05-14.htm
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The Pesticides Branch collaborated with the Hawaii Pest Control Association and the state Department of Education to hold a School Integrated Pest Management Seminar at UH. More than 100 school custodial staff and administrators attended the event that provides information on the safe use of pesticides in Hawaii schools.
Oahu Plant Quarantine inspectors hosted a presentation and tour at the Plant Quarantine Branch for the following schools:
March 25 – 120 2nd grade students from Kaimiloa Elementary School
April 22 – 100 preschool and kindergarten students from Makiki Christian School.
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Industry and Community Activities
HDOA staff participated once again in the Hawaii State Farm Fair in Kapolei. HDOA staff presented displays on aquaculture, invasive species and the Wheel of Agriculture. As usual, the Country Market Sampling booth manned by HDOA volunteers was also very popular with fairgoers.
The Market Development Branch set up a display of agricultural and aquacultural products at the Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality and Foodservice Expo at the Neal Blaisdell Center on July 13 and 14.
The Market Development Branch coordinated the cooking demonstrations of local agricultural products at the Made In Hawaii Festival, August 19 – 21 at the Neal Blaisdell Center.
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