Message from the Chairperson - Hawaii · managers’ decision-making capabilities and employee...

Message from the Chairperson

Sincerely,

Sandra Lee KunimotoChairpersonHawaii Board of Agriculture

Aloha! I am pleased to submit the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’sAnnual Report for the fiscal year 2005.

Agriculture in the State of Hawaii continues to experience positivetransformation. From a rich history of plantation farming to a diversifiedindustry, the state now boasts local agribusinesses producing a widevariety of specialty crops, filling niche markets with unique products. Withthe passing of the Important Agricultural Lands Act 183, the 27-year-oldconstitutional mandate to conserve and protect important agricultural landsin the state perpetuates working landscapes for their economic valueand intrinsic beauty. Just as important, consumers continue to rediscoverthe value, quality and role of local agriculture in the State of Hawaii, furtherdriving the industry to a very productive fiscal year.

Successful initiatives accomplished during FY 2005 include:

The inception of the “Seal of Quality” program, to capture and protect the marketing value ofHawaii’s name for locally produced products.The first ever agricultural terrorism exercise in the state, where more than 30 different local,state and federal agencies and organizations discussed roles and responsibilities in responseto a fictitious incident of agro-terrorism.The award of a $300,000 USDA grant, funding an innovative private/state multi-lingualcollaborative outreach effort. The project provided the department with the unique ability tocommunicate effectively with immigrant farmers and ranchers in the state, while providingclientele greater access to USDA and departmental programs.The expansion of aquaculture in the state, enhanced with open ocean fish farming and a newdepartmental aquaculture veterinarian, with the industry reaching over $28 million in valueduring the fiscal year.

Amongst such transition – diversification of the industry, recognition of agricultural lands as important,and a favorable consumer attitude towards local products – the agriculture industry in Hawaii continuesto steadily rise as a significant and respected driver of Hawaii’s economy.

Table of Contents

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Office of the Chairperson 3

Administrative Services Office 6

Agricultural Development Division 8

Agricultural Loan Division 11

Agricultural Resource Management Division 13

Animal Industry Division 16

Aquaculture Development Program 21

Plant Industry Division 23

Quality Assurance Division 34

Agribusiness Development Corporation 37

Lists of Tables & Charts 40

Board of Agriculture - Photos 41

Organizational Chart 42

Other Tables and Charts 43 - 57

Editor/Desktop Publisher: Janelle SaneishiPublic Information Officer

Printer: Hagadone Printing Company

This annual report is also accessible via thedepartment’s website at: www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/

This annual report may be also made available inlarge print, taped or in Braille to meet special needs,if requested in advance by calling (808) 973-9560.

Office of the Chairperson

Planning & Development

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture actively seeks toprotect existing farming areas and promote increasedaccess to and productive use of the thousands of acres ofprime agricultural lands and infrastructure vacated bysugar plantations throughout the state. The department,as principal advocate for agriculture among stateagencies, offers consultative input into land use zoning,environmental program development and implementation,and broader planning and economic development issuesthat affect agricultural resources and the growth ofagricultural businesses. While modest in comparison tothe visitor industry’s $10 billion in economic activity, theeconomic activity generated by diversified agriculture issolid, steadily increasing, and will be bolstered by thecontinued strength of the pineapple andsugarcane industries.

The 2005 Legislature adopted and Governor Linda Linglesigned into law the landmark Important Agricultural LandsAct (Act 183, 2005 Session Laws of Hawaii) whichestablishes the foundation for the identification, protection,and planning for the maintenance of a strategic agriculturalland resource base. The Important Agricultural Lands Act(IAL) will support a diversity of agricultural activities andopportunities thereby expanding agricultural income andjob opportunities for current and future generations. Act183 also mandates the department to develop incentivesto promote agricultural viability and sustain long-termagricultural use and protection of these productiveagricultural lands.

In the year to come, the department will be establishing aconsistent process to encourage input from agriculturalstakeholders to assist in identifying and assessingpotential IAL incentives. A preliminary report will bedelivered to the 2006 Legislature followed by a final reportwith proposed IAL incentives for legislative considerationby 2007.

The department also supported the protection ofagricultural resources, increased the use of formersugarcane lands and infrastructure, and expandeddiversified agriculture development in general through anumber of ongoing efforts. These efforts included thesubmittal of extensive testimony before county councilsand departments, state departments, State Land UseCommission, and community organizations onagriculture-related issues such as amendments toagricultural property tax programs, county-level initiativesto protect prime agricultural lands, facilitating discussionsbetween farmers and landowners on “good neighbor” andland tenure issues; amendments to county agriculturalzoning and community plan ordinances; and amendmentsto environmental regulations affecting the use ofagricultural land and water resources.


GRANTS AND PROJECTS

Outreach and Assistance for Socially DisadvantagedFarmers and Ranchers ($300,000), June 2005 –December 2006

This 18-month outreach project, conducted by the non-profit Pacific Gateway Center and funded by the U.S.Department of Agriculture (USDA), benefits sociallydisadvantaged farmers and ranchers on Oahu and theBig Island. Unable to access existing HDOA and USDAprograms due to language barriers, these farmers havebeen able to receive one-on-one technical support,guidance and education regarding the following issues:access to credit, food safety, farm land availability, and agtheft. Partners in the project include HDOA, AgribusinessDevelopment Corporation (ADC) and the University ofHawaii - College of Tropical Agriculture and HumanResources (UH-CTAHR.)

Secondary and Two-Year Postsecondary AgricultureEducation Challenge Grants Program ($70,000), SchoolYear 2005-2006 – School Year 2006-2007

Funded in part by USDA, this Waialua High School projectbrings agriculture education back to the classroom,allowing students and faculty alike to understand theinfinite possibilities available in the modern agriculturalworkplace. With the development of a Speakers Bureau,“Field of Dreams” field trip program, student internships,curricula integration, and wages for a former agricultureeducation volunteer, Waialua High School is now amongthe forerunners in agricultural education, with anexpanding aquaculture program, mamaki tea projects,integrated science curricula and more.

The Waialua pilot project is slated to become a statewideprogram, working towards a vibrant workforce for the futureof Hawaii’s agricultural industry. Supporters of the Waialuaproject as well as the future initiative include: HDOA,Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation, Hawaii AgriculturalResearch Center, Pioneer, Alluvion, and UH.

Agro-Terrorism and Emergency ResponsePreparedness

In August 2005, more than 100 representatives from morethan 30 different agencies and organizations participatedin an agro-terrorism table top exercise, co-hosted by theDepartment of Agriculture and State Civil Defense, andfunded by the Department of Homeland Security, Office forDomestic Preparedness. Individuals were broken intodiscussion groups (Response, Public Information, Healthand Safety, Investigation and Enforcement, andEmergency Operations Center) to talk through possibleevents leading up to a staged avian influenza outbreak ona poultry farm on Oahu. The successful exercise lead toincreased understanding among all levels of responseagencies of the nature of agricultural emergencies.

The Department continues to practice emergencypreparedness, such as updating plans and proceduresto comply with federal standards (NIMS and ICS), for arapid response in the event of an agricultural emergencywhether intentionally introduced or not.


Agriculture-Related Emergency Preparedness

During FY 2005, HDOA increased efforts to enhancedepartment preparedness for an agriculture-relatedemergency, including potential agro-terrorism incidents.

Several tabletop exercises were held within the AnimalIndustry Division and the department to drill thedepartment’s response to an animal disease emergencyand to identify areas to identify areas to improve thedepartment’s response.

In July 2005, a team of trainers from the National Center forBiomedical Research and Training - Academy of Counter-Terrorism Education, Louisiana State University, conductedtraining in preparedness and response toagricultural terrorism.

The three-day training and certification process involvedabout 25 individuals, mainly from HDOA, but also includedlocal U.S. Department of Agriculture and HawaiiDepartment of Health personnel.

In August 2005 (FY 06), State Civil Defense, in conjunctionwith HDOA, held a large tabletop agro-terrorism exerciseinvolving more than 100 members of city, state, federalagencies and Hawaii’s agricultural industry.

Above: State Veterinarian James Foppoli, conducts atabletop exercise in June 2005 involving staff from withinHDOA that would be tapped to assist in an animalhealth emergency.

Above: Trainers from the Academy of Counter-Terror-ist Education provide valuable training in agro-terrorismresponse in July 2005.

Right: (l - r) Special Assistant to the Chairperson BetsyPolhemus and HDOA veterinarians Drs. Jason Moniz,Billy Bergin and Isaac Maeda concentrate their thoughtson the scenario presented during the training session.

Administrative Services Office

ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES OFFICE

Elaine AbeAdministrator

The goals of the Administrative Services Office are:

1) to meet the staff support needs of the department’sprograms and personnel by providing guidance,training, information, efficient equipment andvehicles, and adequate facilities, and facilitating theprocessing of their requests in order to enhancemanagers’ decision-making capabilities andemployee productivity; and

2) to meet the needs of the public by assisting them intheir requests or directing them to the appropriateentity to address their needs.

The department’s financial statements are availablebeginning on page 43.

The following is a list of projects that have been completedduring FY 2005:

Completed nationwide recruitment for aquaticdisease veterinarian.

Implemented HGEA Drug and AlcoholTesting program.

Completed a second reduction-in-force processfor five employees from Animal QuarantineBranch.

Attended various training sessions including ASKRecruitment, Alternative Work Week, Pre-employment Physical Exams, Employees’Retirement System Hybrid Plan, and FamilyMedical Leave Act.

Conducted DHRD survey to determine numberof and type of departmental employees on activemilitary duty status.

Conducted two open forum meetings forEMCP employees.

Assisted various programs in filling 34 positions(permanent/temporary and exempt), includingCommodities Program Manager andAccountant V.

Completed coordination of various capitalimprovement projects to correct safety concernsand other deficiencies at department facilitiesincluding upgrading of electrical and fire systemsand re-roofing the main buildings at the King St.Complex, demolishing unused kennels andmodifying the service window at the AnimalQuarantine Station and renovating portions of theDepartment of Health’s State Laboratory Facilityfor use by the Quality Assurance ChemicalAnalysis Laboratory.

Implemented the Department’s on-line tele-phone directory.

Completed issuing new department identificationbadges to all Plant Quarantine Inspectors.

Coordinated and compiled information andresponded to inquiries from the LegislativeAuditor’s Office and their privately contractedauditor, Grant Thornton, as they conducted afinancial audit of the department for the periodending June 30, 2005.

Revised and updated Department’s inventoryprocedures to address findings in LegislativeAuditor’s financial audit of the department.

Updated and revised department’s 10-year motorvehicle replacement schedule based on inputfrom programs.

Completed conversion of the department’sKahului Office telephone system to HATS.

Updated in-house procedures for procurementcards to incorporate mandatory pCard use forpurchases under $2,500 and developed newforms for equipment and purchases over $2,500.Also expanded the use of the pCard to 34employees as of June 30, 2005 and its usage toinclude equipment, and out-of-state travelexpenses, as well as purchases morethan $2,500.

Connected Aquaculture Sand Island Office,Chemical Analysis Laboratory at Waimano andthe Kona Plant Quarantine Office to theNGN network.

Administrative Services Office

Major projects in progress include:

Working with consultants to transfer PlantQuarantine on-line system to the Department.

Working with consultants to migrate AnimalQuarantine Station application from Speed IIto APPX.

Continuing to network all Oahu and neighborisland offices to State’s NGN.

Developing a computer equipment replace-ment schedule.

Implementing new Plant Industry server to housePlant Pest Control and Pesticide information.

Establishing six-year special repair andmaintenance and capital improvement programfor department’s office buildings.

Auditing leave records of program recordkeepers.

Reviewing and rewriting internal personnelpolicies and procedures.

Monitoring the length of time to service variousprogram requests.

Implementing the DOA Workplace Violence Action Plan.

Agricultural Development Division

AGRICULTURAL DEVELOPMENTDIVISION

Matthew K. Loke, Ph.D.,Administrator

The Agricultural Development Division serves to promotethe economic viability of commercial agriculture inHawaii by sponsoring joint marketing programs foragricultural products with high revenue growthpotentials; facilitating the development and expansionof marketing opportunities for targeted agricultural andprocessed products; and providing timely, accurate anduseful statistics.

MARKET DEVELOPMENT BRANCHCalvin Lee, Manager (retired December 2005)

The mission of the Market Development Branch is tofacilitate the development of the agricultural industry,consisting of commodity groups of agricultural producersand food processors, through the expansion of new andexisting markets.

Major activities during FY 2005 were:

Matching Funds Promotional Contracts

This is the second fiscal year that the Branch implementeda new procedure to solicit and award matching fundsmarketing grants. To insure transparency, the procedurefollowed the State’s RFP (Request for Proposal) processthat was posted on the State Procurement Office (SPO)Website. This year, staff made the following improvementsto the program:

1) Limited the number of proposals that could besubmitted by each organization to two in each category;

2) Required projects to fall into only one category;

3) Increased the amount to be funded by the State inseveral categories; and

4) Used contracts rather than purchase orders. Theapplications fell into three predetermined categories:

a. Distribution Systems focusing on encouragingHawaii Ag-businesses to pool resources, at leastfour companies, in order to improve efficiency intransportation/shipping, distribution, salesrepresentation, or consolidation issues. Therewere four awards in this category.

b. Mainland and International Trade Shows focusingon a Hawaii-theme exhibit with a minimum offour unrelated companies attending the tradeshow. There were four awards in this category.

c. Industry Education and Promotion of Agriculturefocusing on producer’s competitiveness andhuman capital capacity building; and marketingeffort or hosting events supportive of Hawaii’sagriculture. There were 13 awards in this category.

Local Market Promotions and Activities

Participated in agricultural trade and consumer fairsand exhibits such as the Lodging, Hospitality, andFoodservice Expo on Oahu which drew 6,000 tradebuyers and HDOA‘s exhibit featured Hawaiianescargots and selected produce from Oahu; and theMade In Hawaii Festival on Oahu which drew over30,000 consumers and in which HDOA coordinatednine chefs who demonstrated menus featuring alllocal products.

Directory of Hawaii Agricultural and Food Producers –Maintained and continued updating the registrationof local companies in the branch’s database(directory) that gives Hawaii companies and globalbuyers the ability to transact business with each other.

Updated directory of farmers’ markets in Hawaii incooperation with the counties. This directory is alsoused by the UDSA on their website.

Sponsored and assisted in coordination of theagricultural exhibit tent at the 2004 Hawaii State FarmFair in Kapolei.

Sponsored the Hawaii State 4-H Livestock fair inKahuku, which drew over 6,000 people to visit the fair.

Sponsored a statewide promotion of locally producedrange-fed beef with the Hawaii Beef Industry Councilthat will feature the production of a consumer brochureand promotions at various food festivals and farmers’markets throughout the state.

Co-sponsored a Buy Fresh, Buy Local, Island Freshpromotion with the University of Hawaii, College ofTropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)and the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF) thatwill feature newspaper editorials on local produceand the development of an availability chart onlocal produce.

Updated the Calendar of Events of trade shows, fairs,and festivals that benefit agricultural and foodproducers and Ag-tourism companies.

Cosponsored and helped organize the AgriculturalConference in Honolulu in October 2004.


Mainland and International Market Promotions andActivities

Co-sponsored, coordinated, and implemented thesixth annual Governor’s Exporter of the Year programwith the Department of Business, EconomicDevelopment and Tourism (DBEDT).

Coordinated and administered the Western UnitedStates Agricultural Trade Association (WUSATA)generic and branded programs. In FY 05, MDBundertook the following: 1) a generic program thatincluded a trade show in Japan to develop marketsfor tropical flower and nursery products and a jointproject with the State of Oregon to develop a marketfor potted plants in Beijing, China, and 2) a brandedprogram that assisted Hawaii companies indeveloping specific export markets for their products.

Participated in and provided in-kind support for asecond USDA Emerging Market grant to develop amarket for value-added Hawaii products in China. Thefirst grant enabled Hawaii to develop a high-end giftbasket of value-added Hawaii products that will betest marketed in China in December 2005 andJanuary 2006.

Applied for and was awarded a USDA Federal-StateMarketing Improvement Program (FISMP) $50,000grant entit led “Feasibil ity of a Farmer-BasedE-Commerce Market in the State of Hawaii.”

Coordinated the adoption of the Hawaii AdministrativeRules for the Seals of Quality program throughadministrative approvals, public hearings on allislands, and final approval by the Board of Agriculture.

Coordinated Mainland floral design shows forprofessional floral designers in cooperation with theHawaii Tropical Flower Council (HTFC) and the majornational florists associations. Over three hundredfloral designers attended the three shows held fromApril though June 2005 in Texas, Michigan, andCalifornia. These shows were followed by eight moreby the end of December 2005.

Sponsored and coordinated the Hawaii pavilion atthe Produce Marketing Association (PMA) Expositionin Anaheim, California. Twelve vendors participatedin the trade show to showcase Hawaii’s fresh produceand flowers and their expected sales are $2,130,000over the year.

Provided contract management services for the USDASpecialty Crop funded projects.

Provided contract management services for the StateAgricultural Research funds.

HAWAII AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS BRANCHMark Hudson, State Agricultural Statistician/Director

The Hawaii Agricultural Statistics (HAS) Branch is acooperative effort between the Hawaii Department ofAgriculture and the National Agricultural Statistics Service,U.S. Department of Agriculture. This partnership, spanningfour decades, allows the efficient use of state and federalresources, while at the same time providing acomprehensive array of agricultural intelligence andreducing respondent burden.

Major activities of the HAS included data collection,analysis, and timely publication of agricultural statisticsfor the State. The result of these efforts was a measure oftotal farm-gate estimated value of $544.7 million during2004. Most of HAS data collection efforts were in thediversified agriculture sector, which was valued at $403million in 2004.

Activities during FY 2005 included the following:

Completed Census of Farm and Ranch Irrigation.Completed the Ag-Tourism Survey.Made 15,500 individual contacts via personalinterviews, telephone, and mail questionnaires.Published 130 reports.Distributed more than 43,000 releases to farmers,other individuals, businesses, universities, andgovernments worldwide.Answered more than 1,200 individual requests forinformation by mail, telephone, and office handouts.

Statistical reports are available on the HDOA website at:www.hawaiiag.org/hdoa/ or free e-mail subscriptions areavailable at www.usda.gov/sub-forms.htm

HDOA’s Market Development Specialist LarryYamamoto, Chairperson Sandra Lee Kunimoto andAquaculture Development Specialist Dean Toda promotethe Hawaii display at the Produce Marketing Associa-tion Expo in Anaheim, California


MARKET ANALYSIS AND NEWS BRANCH

The Market Analysis and News Branch (MANB) isresponsible for enhancing the effectiveness and efficiencyof agriculture by conducting economic, market andbusiness feasibility research, evaluating the efficiency andeffectiveness of market development programs, collectingdata on agricultural commodity shipments, supply andwholesale prices and disseminating information throughvarious media. Through these functions, MANB assiststhe state’s agricultural industry in its development andexpansion efforts and provides sound input for programplanning and policy making within and outsidethe Department.

MANB is tasked with two primary, yet distinct functions.The first involves research on all market aspects ofagricultural products. Towards this end, MANB conductssome ten research or program evaluation studies annually.The second function is carrying out the market newsprogram, jointly with the Market News Branch of theAgricultural Marketing Service, United States Departmentof Agriculture. This program provides up-to-dateinformation on current market conditions – wholesalemarket prices throughout the state, movement of freshfruits and vegetables, and supply and demand informationon different products.

Activities and accomplishments for FY 2005 includedthe following:

MANB completed the grant project entitled “A RiskManagement Education Program for Agri-Entrepreneurs in Hawaii.” The $51,000 grant,awarded by the USDA Risk Management Agency ona competitive basis was used to sponsor twofarmers’ outreach programs and the 2004 HawaiiAgricultural Conference, which was very successfuland attracted some 550 people from the agricultureindustry.

MANB completed the grant project entitled “AnAgricultural Market Information System for SmallFarm Decision-Making in Hawaii.” This grant wasawarded by USDA-AMS-FSMIP on a competitive basisto provide marketing information to assist smallfarmers and entrepreneurs in Hawaii to makeinformed business decisions and minimizebusiness risks.

Completed a preliminary assessment on possibleimpacts of the super ferry in State of Hawaii.

Completed a research study, which examines howstructural changes affected farm practices andgrowth of the Hawaii coffee industry.

Completed a research study entitled “An EconomicAssessment of the Former Kekaha Sugar CompanyLand and Infrastructure: Its Current and PotentialEconomic Capability” for the ADC.

Continued to collaborate with the NationalAgricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and theNational Association of States Department ofAgriculture (NASDA) in enhancing the data collectionefforts of the MANB.

Continued to collect, compile, publish anddisseminate weekly reports on a timely basis withlimited personnel. The reports include:

• Honolulu Wholesale Prices of Fresh Fruits andVegetables;

• Neighbor Island Wholesale Prices of Fresh Fruitsand Vegetables;

• Weekly Honolulu Arrivals of Fresh Fruits andVegetables;

• Honolulu Barge Arrivals; and

• Honolulu Wholesale Egg Market.

Agricultural Loan Division

AGRICULTURAL LOAN DIVISION

Dean MatsukawaAdministrator

The Agricultural Loan Division administers thedepartment’s Agricultural Loan Program andAquaculture Loan Program. The primary objective is topromote the development of the state’s economy bystimulating, facilitating, and granting loans to qualifiedfarmers, aquaculturists and food manufacturers. Thedivision also serves as a safety net for agriculture andaquaculture by providing loans in times of emergency.

The program strives to work with private lenders throughparticipation loans and providing loan guaranties. Theprogram, as a lender of last resort, also provides directfinancial assistance to those that are unable to obtainfinancing from conventional sources.

The program is self-sufficient, operating through interestcollections, and is able to achieve its objective of growth,

development and preservation of the agricultural andaquacultural industries without requiring any taxpayerfunding. Administration of the program requires a balancebetween providing financial assistance while ensuringthat loans have a reasonable expectation of repayment.

The division is committed to the growth, development,and well being of the agricultural and aquaculturalindustries in Hawaii. For FY 2005, the division provided$2,743,815 in low-interest financing for Hawaii farmers.The loans assisted farm operations throughout the statefrom Kauai to the Big Island of Hawaii. The crops thatwere financed varied from vanilla, mushrooms, floral,nursery, orchids, and truck crops.

The state’s strong economy has resulted in strongcompetition for labor and high land prices. In addition, theagriculture and aquaculture industries face challengessuch as increased regulations, high capital costs, tax,and theft issues. The program helped the farm industryaddress some of these problems by providing funding forlabor housing, purchase of farm land, equipment forexpansion, expansion into new crops and development offarm infrastructure.

Agriculture no longer encompasses only growing cropsbut also includes agro-tourism and value-added products.As the agricultural and aquacultural industries evolve, thedivision must constantly adapt to the new markets,technologies and needs of the farm community. Thedivision remains supportive of agriculture and aquacultureand will continue to serve as a resource and safety net tothese industries. The division will continue its outreach toincrease awareness of the program.

With the assistance of anagricultural loan, Neil Okimoto inPahoa on the Big Islandconstructed a 16,000 square-footgreenhouse to grow poinsettiasfor the Christmas season.

Agricultural Loan Division

Major activities and accomplishments of the programfor FY 05 were as follows:

Approved 19 loans for a total of $2.744 million duringFY 05. The loans helped farmers retain or increasefarm acreage by 1,376 acres. The division’s loansalso helped to preserve or increase employmentfor 146 farm employees.

The division’s portfolio as of June 30, 2005 wasvalued at $19.6 million with 190 loans booked. Theloan breakdown by county is as follows:

Hawaii County $9.2 millionOahu County $3.6 millionMaui County $4.4 millionKauai County $2.4 million

Collected $5.44 million in FY 05. Of the amountcollected, $1.126 million was in interest and $4.314million was in principal.

Modified 11 loans during FY 05 for a variety ofpurposes to assist farmers with cash flow,extensions of disbursements dates, exchanges andreleases of collateral.

The division underwent a legislative audit duringFY 05. The division, based on recommendationsfrom the auditor, initiated changes to its procedures.

Charts illustrating agricultural loan activities may be foundon page 50.

The division provided financialassistance to expand HamakuaHeritage Farm, Inc.’smushroom growing facility. Thefacility controls temperature,humidity, air exchange, andlight required for optimalgrowth. Shown above “Alii”mushrooms are beingharvested and packed forshipment.

Agricultural Resource Management Division

AGRICULTURAL RESOURCEMANAGEMENT DIVISION

Brian Kau, P.E.Administrator/Chief Engineer

The Agricultural Resource Management Division worksto ensure that the state has adequate and reliablesources of agricultural water, farmland, infrastructurefor farming, and agricultural-related processingfacilities. The division provides administrative oversightover state agricultural park lots, processing facilities,and several irrigation systems statewide.

By maintaining and operating abandoned plantationirrigation systems, the division supports andencourages the development and expansion ofdiversified agriculture on former mono-cropplantation lands.

Activities for FY 2005 included the following:

For the first time in many years, irrigation water has beenconsistently available in the Lower Hamakua Ditch (LHD)with few interruptions. This occurrence represents a“turning of the corner” for diversified agriculture in theregion where one can look to the LHD as a steady, reliablesource of irrigation water to significantly strengthen theagricultural economy in the area. Additionally, LHDwatershed project improvements continue at a steady pace.The final phase (IV) of flume improvements and last phaseof the Paauilo pipeline are nearing design completion.Construction should start in 2006. Construction to modifythe intakes is underway and scheduled for completion bythe end of summer 2006.

The second major watershed project the department isworking on is the Upcountry Maui – Upper Kula DualAgricultural Irrigation Line. The department, with theassistance of the U.S. Department of Agriculture-NaturalResources Conservation Service, State of HawaiiDepartment of Land and Natural Resources, and theCounty of Maui Department of Water Supply, is constructinga new agricultural water pipeline to provide farmers of theUpper Kula region the ability to use non-potable, lessexpensive irrigation water for their crops. This is

approximately the fifth consecutive year that progress hasbeen made on this pipeline. The third phase (currentlyunder construction) includes a significant portion of theproject installation via trenchless construction. Thismethod minimizes the amount of open trenching andexcavation, minimizing disturbances to the environmentand landowners.

FY 05 proved to be another exciting year in partnershipsfor the department. We continue to participate inpartnerships with the Natural Resources ConservationService, U. S. Army Corps of Engineers, U. S. Departmentof the Interior-Bureau of Reclamation, and State of HawaiiDepartment of Defense-Civil Defense Division. This year,the department has received more than five million dollarsin federal grant funding that will be or has been applied tothe renovation of our irrigation infrastructure.

The Hawaii Agricultural Water Use and Development Plan(AWUDP) has entered into its third phase. This phase,being completed by the University of Hawaii - College ofTropical Agriculture and Human Resources, looks toexpand on the first two phases by addressing water needsfor families of crops in areas within proximity of the irrigationsystems studied in Phase I. It is anticipated that a waterduty will be produced for future planning purposes toforecast agricultural water demand based on potentialdiversified agricultural growth in areas serviceable by theseirrigation systems.

Although the AWUDP itself does not reserve water for futureuse, it will provide a quantitative projection of plannedagricultural activities, associated water demands, andstrategies for supplying such water, which may be used tojustify requests for water reservation.

The State Agricultural Park Program is a home to well-established agricultural operations. The tenant mixincludes growers of landscape materials and pottedorchids, as well as anthuriums and tropical fruits. Manyhave taken advantage of the amenities and reasonablerent structure available in the agricultural parks to starttheir farming operations. The agricultural park programcontinued to monitor and assist lessees who did not meetthe program’s objectives and continued to award leasesto qualified applicants.

Staff continued to counsel and work with lessees whowere experiencing difficulty meeting their lease terms andconditions at older agricultural parks in Pahoa, Keahole,Panaewa, Waimanalo, and Waianae. Farmers with newor recently granted leases at Kahuku, Hamakua, Molokai,and Kalaeloa started their farming operations. A sampleof activities within our agricultural parks ispresented below.


After sitting idle for a number of years, the Molokai CoolingFacility was transferred in April 2005 to Akea Farms, Inc.,the winning bidder of the department’s request forproposals issued in the summer of 2004. Currentlyundergoing extensive repairs, the facility will reopen inearly 2006, providing a much needed service to processfarm produce for both the lessee as well as the Molokaiagricultural community. The cost of repairs is internallyfunded through Akea Farms, Inc.’s cash flow and plansare to operate the facility year round. It is estimated thatbetween 25 percent and 50 percent of the cooling facility’scapacity will be available to qualified members of theMolokai farming community who have demonstrated thatthey have an active food safety program.

Hawaii Foliage Exports, Inc., a tenant in the PanaewaAgricultural Park, was named Governor’s Exporter of theYear in 2001. Hawaii Foliage Exports, Inc. is a wholesaleexporter of dracaena varieties and palms they grow in thePanaewa Agricultural Park nursery. Marketed under thePerfectlyHawaiianTM brand and through its network ofdistributors in California, Hawaii Foliage Exports, Inc.’sproducts can be found nationwide in commercialinterior landscapes.

The first rental reopening for the Waimanalo AgriculturalPark was completed after the expiration of the first fifteenyears of operation. Lessees of the agricultural parkproduce a variety of produce and vegetables such asbananas, eggplants, chili peppers, snap beans, soybeans, choi sum, won bok, and bittermelons, as well asnursery products, including exotic fruit trees, potted palms,

anthuriums, and orchids. These commodities are sold atopen markets, local grocery stores, and supermarkets.

A long-term lease was awarded to Cates International,Inc. for a 3.769 acre parcel in the Kalaeloa AgriculturalPark. Cates will construct a fish hatchery to produce moi(Pacific threadfish) broodstock and fingerlings to stockthe nation’s first open ocean cage aquaculture farm on a28-acre ocean site off Ewa Beach leased from the State.The moi, raised by Cates, have been showcased by chefRoy Yamaguchi of Roy’s Restaurant at the AmericanCulinary Federation’s annual convention inWashington D.C.

Data on ag park lease dispositions and water fees maybe found on pages 51 and 52.

Capital Improvement Projects for FY 2005:

The following projects were completed on the Big Islandthis year:

Phase III Flume Improvements (Lower HamakuaDitch)

The following projects are ongoing on the Big Island:

Phase IV Flume Replacement-design (LowerHamakua Ditch)Intake Improvements-construction (Lower Hamakua Ditch)Paauilo Distribution Pipeline ImprovementsPhase 2-design (Lower Hamakua Ditch)Paauilo Rendering Plant – designWaimea Irrigation System Flume Improvements- designHonomalino Watershed-planning (South Kona)

Upcountry Maui IrrigationSystem Phase III - DirectionalDrilling Project


The following projects were completed on Maui this year:Upcountry Phase II Main Line Extension -construction

The following projects are ongoing on Maui:Upcountry Phase III Main Line Extension -constructionUpcountry Kimo Road Lateral - constructionUpcountry Phase IV Main Line Extension - designUpcountry Phase V Pulehiki/KamehamehaikiLateral – designUpcountry Phase VI Main Line Extension - designLower Kula Watershed Project - planning

The following projects are ongoing on Molokai:Emergency Irrigation System Improvements –design/constructionMolokai Irrigation System ReservoirImprovements - planning

The following projects are ongoing on Oahu:Waianae Agricultural Park DrainageImprovements Phase II – design/ constructionWaiahole Irrigation System ReservoirImprovements - design

The following projects are ongoing on Kauai:East Kauai Irrigation System - designKokee Irrigation System Improvements – design

Left: Benches of nursery plants atHawaii Foliage Exports, Inc., locatedin the Panaewa Agricultural Park onthe Big Island.

Bottom: Prasong Hsu’s chili pepperplants and pumpkin patch at theKahuku Agricultural Park on Oahu.

Animal Industry Division

ANIMAL INDUSTRY DIVISION

James Foppoli, Ph.D.,DVMAdministrator/State Veterinarian

RABIES QUARANTINE BRANCHIsaac M. Maeda, D.V.M., Program Manager

The mission of the Animal Industry Division is to protectHawaii’s livestock and poultry industries and publichealth by preventing disease introductions and detectingand controlling economically important diseases orpests within the state.

The division conducts the following: animal diseasesurveillance, epidemiology and control; administration ofvoluntary livestock and poultry disease certificationprograms; laboratory diagnostic services; dog and catquarantine to prevent rabies introduction; inspection of allanimals and birds entering the state; and livestockbrand registration.

In recent years, the focus of the division is shifting frommandatory to voluntary disease surveillance and controlprograms and animal health emergency management insupport of the livestock industry. Public health andenvironmental programs aimed at preventing theintroduction of rabies virus and West Nile virus into thestate are important ancillary functions.

Hawaii’s statuses for State-Federal Cooperative DiseaseControl Programs during FY 05:

Brucellosis Free, cattle and swinePseudorabies Free, Stage VBovine Tuberculosis, Accredited Free

Hawaii is also recognized as free of bluetongue virus andanaplasmosis, allowing the export of cattle from Hawaii toCanada without costly holding and testing procedures.Surveillance for anaplasmosis and bluetongue continueto insure that the free status is documented andmaintained. Hawaii remained free of notifiable foreignanimal diseases during FY 05; however, efforts to strengthenforeign animal disease preparedness continue.

Toward the end of FY 05, the division started an importantnew initiative: a livestock premise identification systemas part of the National Animal Identification System.

Livestock producers will be receiving informationalmaterials and applications for premise identification inthe upcoming months. Continuing activities relating tovoluntary disease control programs include: scrapie insheep and goats; chronic wasting disease in cervidae;and Johne’s disease in dairy cattle. Surveillance for bovinespongiform encephalopathy (mad cow disease) is animportant continuing State-Federal cooperative program.Import restrictions placed on birds continued throughFY 05 in an effort to reduce the chances of West Nilevirus introduction.

The division received grants from the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture, Animal and Plant HealthInspection Service, totaling $292,930 during FY 05. Thegrants supported the voluntary scrapie herd and flockcertification program, development of a plan for masscarcass disposal, foreign animal disease response,Johne’s disease surveillance and control, and livestockpremise identification as part of the National AnimalIdentification System. The division also receivedDepartment of Homeland Security funds ($22,000) as partof a Hawaii Department of Agriculture grant totaling$85,512 for agro-terrorism related activities. In addition,program funds were used to conduct emergency responsedrills within the division and the department.

Our achievements during FY 05 have only been possiblebecause of the commitment of the division’s veterinaryand support staff in developing and implementing livestockdisease and public health initiatives.

June 30, 2005, marked the end of the second year ofoperation for the five-day-or-less rabies quarantineprogram. There was a significant increase in the numberof dogs and cats that qualified for direct release at HonoluluInternational Airport under the five-day-or-less program inFY 05. During FY 05, a record number of 7,653 animalswere processed through the rabies quarantine program.This represents an approximate 12 percent increase fromthe 6,834 animals entering the state in FY 04 and a 60percent increase from the 4,771 animals that enteredHawaii prior to the start of the five-day-or-less programin FY 03.

The five-day-or-less program relies heavily on staff andcomputerized databases to monitor and verify informationrelevant to qualification. Currently, more than 33,000 activerecords are maintained on the system. To more efficientlyand effectively manage the data and processing of five-day-or-less dogs and cats, the program is in the processof updating and enhancing the computer system.

The dramatic increase in pets qualifying for the five-day-or-less program and the concurrent rise in documentsevaluated and processed, substantially increased the


workload for the clerical, veterinary and inspectionsections. In addition to data entry and review ofdocuments, the veterinary staff expends a considerableamount of time each day contacting pet owners andveterinarians to either verify qualification information orrequest additional information. Clerical, veterinary andinspection personnel also spend a significant amount oftime e-mailing and speaking with pet owners on the phoneor in person explaining program requirements. TheLivestock Disease Control Branch port veterinarian andlivestock inspectors also provide critical support to theprogram by assisting rabies quarantine veterinarytechnicians in processing dogs and cats released at theairport seven days a week.

The department maintains an interactive websitededicated to Hawaii’s rabies quarantine program thatcontains all of the information and forms relating toquarantine and the importation of cats and dogs. Petowners may access pre-arrival FAVN rabies serologicaltest results and five-day-or-less quarantine-eligible datesat this HDOA website. Checklists for the five-day-or-lessprogram are available at the site to assist pet owners ofboth resident pets and non-resident dogs and cats withpreparations to qualify for this reduced quarantine option.

Under the five-day-or-less program, pets may be releasedat Honolulu International Airport if they complete pre-arrivalrequirements that include:

Two rabies vaccinations, with the last vaccinationadministered no more than 12 months prior to arrivalif it was a one-year vaccine, or no more than 36months prior to arrival if it was a three-year vaccine.(The two vaccinations may not be administered within90 days of each other; and the last vaccine must beadministered no less than 90 days prior to the pet’sentry into the state)

Microchip implantation for identification purposes;

OIE-FAVN rabies blood test results with sufficient levelof rabies antibodies;

120-day pre-arrival waiting period between the timethe lab receives the blood sample and the earliestdate the pet may enter the state under the newprogram (the pre-arrival waiting period is necessarydue to the long and variable length of rabiesincubation, where the virus may hide in an animalbefore clinical signs of the disease becomeapparent); and

Pet owners must also submit required paperwork atleast 10 days prior to the pet’s arrival.

Pet owners that do not submit the required documentshave their pets held in quarantine for up to 120 days untilall requirements are completed and documents submitted.

Approximately 89 percent of arriving dogs and cats havequalified for the five-day-or-less program in FY 05.

Furthermore, of the 6,821 pets that qualified, 6,596 pets(approximately 97 percent) qualified for direct release uponarrival at Honolulu International Airport. In comparisononly eight percent (612) of the arriving animals werequarantined for 120 days.

During FY 05, the portion of quarantined dogs and catsundergoing 30-day quarantine decreased to approximatelythree percent compared to nine percent in FY 04. Theeffect of these combined changes resulted in the dailypopulation of animals occupying the animal quarantinestation at any given time during FY 04 to range between218 and 313 animals. In contrast, the fluctuation in dailyanimal population at the station varied between 232 to537 dogs and cats in FY 03.

In addition to rabies exclusion, the quarantine programcontinues to monitor dogs carefully for ticks exotic toHawaii. One species, Dermacentor variables, wasdiscovered and eliminated from two dogs arriving in Hawaiiduring FY 05. This species has been reported topotentially serve as a vector for Rocky Mountain SpottedFever, Tularemia and other rickettsial and bacterialdiseases of veterinary and human medical importance.Rhipicephalus sanguineus, the brown dog tick, is the onlytick established in Hawaii associated with dogs.

The following are rabies quarantine statistics for cats anddogs arriving between July 1, 2004 and June 30, 2005(FY 05):

PROGRAM NUMBER PERCENT

120-day 612 8%30-Day 220 3%Five-Day-Or-Less 225 3%Airport Release 6,596 86%

Total 7,653 100%

Jerry and Linda Mann travel frequently between theirhomes in New York and Kauai and are pleased with thefive-day-less quarantine program, which allows their minidachshunds, Sahlen and Oscar, to avoid quarantine.


LIVESTOCK DISEASE CONTROL BRANCHJason D. Moniz, D.V.M., Manager

The Livestock Disease Control Branch prevents,investigates, conducts surveillance, controls anderadicates animal diseases that may have seriouseconomic impacts on the state and nation’s livestock andpoultry industries, some of which may impact public health.The branch inspects animals entering the state andinsures compliance with division rules and laws pertainingto the control and eradication of animal diseases.

West Nile Virus (WNV)West Nile virus arrived in the continental U.S. in 1999and since then it has made its way westward andnow affects all States except Hawaii and Alaska. Toreduce the risk of WNV entering Hawaii, new poultryand bird import rules were promulgated to disallowsusceptible birds and poultry from entering the Statewithout a pre-arrival mosquito free isolation. Inaddition, an embargo on the movement of birds andpoultry through the U.S. Postal Service was put inplace to prevent entry without inspection. Failure tocomply with pre-arrival isolation requirements resultsin a refusal of entry.

Should epizootic levels occur on the West Coast atemporary embargo of all birds entering the State fromthe affected areas may be put in place.

Bovine TuberculosisBovine Tuberculosis free status maintainedBovine tuberculosis (BTB) a chronic, debilitatingdisease of cattle, bison, goats, cervids and otheranimals that can also cause a serious disease inman, is caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium bovis.

The State of Hawaii continues to maintain a “BovineTuberculosis Free Status”. State and federalveterinarians routinely monitor cattle herds and wildlifeon eastern Molokai, where bovine tuberculosis hasbeen a recurrent problem for the past 60 years. Thelast BTB infected cattle herd, located on easternMolokai, was depopulated without further spread in1997 and no new cases of BTB in cattle havebeen found.

A hunter assisted survey for BTB in wildlife began in1998 on Molokai to monitor the prevalence of infectionin axis deer, feral swine, feral goats and mongoose.Five feral swine have been found infected, the mostrecent from Mapalehu in May 2004. To date, allinfected feral swine have been caught at or adjacentto Ualapue, where the 1997 infected cow was found.The BTB infection appears to be maintaining itself inthe feral swine population in and around theUalapue area.

To prevent the potential spread of bovine tuberculosisfrom eastern Molokai, all cattle east of Kamalo are

required to have an annual negative BTB test or testnegative within 30 days prior to movement out of thearea. All herds are in compliance with establishedtesting and movement requirements. In addition, feralswine movement out of areas east of Kamalo hasbeen prohibited.

Wildlife surveillance data is being evaluated todetermine if further mitigation actions are required toprevent infection of cattle on the island. The evaluationwill also determine the feasibility for eradication ofBTB in feral swine or any other wildlife species thatmay be found infected. This review is expected to becompleted in FY 06.

Bovine BrucellosisBovine Brucellosis class free status maintainedBovine brucellosis is an infectious disease of cattle,bison and elk, caused by the bacteria Brucella abortus.Brucellosis can also infect man. Hawaii has beenofficially classified free of bovine brucellosissince 1983.

During the fiscal year, 7,382 cattle were tested forbrucellosis which resulted in seven suspects andone reactor being identified. Supplemental testing,epidemiological investigations, and herd tests foundno evidence of herds infected with Brucella abortus.Infrequent suspects and reactors have been causedby Brucella suis which causes brucellosis in swine;however, this organism in cattle rarely causesdisease. The suspect and reactor cattle originated inareas with known Brucella suis infected feral swine.Due to the self-limiting nature of Brucella suis in cattle,no quarantines or other control actions werenecessary. Gastrointestinal infections with Yersiniaenterocolitica have also been responsible for falsepositive reactions to Brucella in cattle.

Dr. Edith Terwey, livestock disease veterinarian, drawsblood from a newly imported stallion to test for EquineInfectious Anemia, an incurable viral disease in horses.


Swine Brucellosis & PseudorabiesHawaii maintains free statuses for SwineBrucellosis and Pseudorabies

BrucellosisBrucellosis in swine is caused by the bacteria Brucellasuis. Infected swine experience reproductiveproblems including abortion and infertility. Brucellasuis can cause serious infections in man. Hawaiiretained its free status for swine brucellosisduring FY 05.

No domestic swine herds were found infected inFY 05 and as a result Hawaii maintains its Brucellasuis free status. However, several herds defined astransitional (exposed to feral swine) were foundinfected. These herds were quarantined and herdplans to rid the herds of infection were put in place.The goal for these herds is to convert them to negativedomestic operations with higher degrees of bio-security to preclude future infections. Feral swine inKona, Hamakua (Hawaii), Kahakuloa (Maui),Ft. Shafter westward through Waianae, the NorthShore and Windward (Oahu) are known to be infectedwith swine brucellosis.

In addition to annual testing of all sows and boarsmore than six months of age at slaughter, 25 percentof the herds in the state are randomly selected fortesting to determine their brucellosis status.Surveillance for FY 05 included 1,150 domestic swine,59 transitional swine and 24 feral swine.

PseudorabiesPseudorabies (PRV), a viral infection of swine, causesrespiratory disease and reproductive failure.Pseudorabies infection of other species (such asdogs) is typically fatal but humans are not susceptible.

Hawaii maintains a Free Status for Pseudorabies inswine. Pseudorabies surveillance testing of 1,150swine during fiscal year 2005 found no infecteddomestic swine. Three transitional herds wereinvestigated in FY 05 with one determined tobe infected.

Feral swine on the island of Hawaii, Maui and Oahuare known to be PRV-infected. Infected feral swineare a constant threat to domestic swine herds. Astatewide quarantine order prohibits the comminglingof feral and domestic swine as well as inter-islandmovement of feral swine.

Historically in Hawaii, all herds infected withpseudorabies or swine brucellosis have beentransitional herds with exposure to infected feral swine.

Transmissible Spongiform EncephlopathiesScrapieScrapie is a transmissible, insidious, neuro-degenerative disease affecting the central nervoussystem of sheep and goats. Scrapie has not beendiagnosed in goat or sheep flocks in Hawaii.

Hawaii continues to be recognized as consistent withthe USDA Voluntary Scrapie Certification ProgramStandards. A USDA cooperative agreement was usedduring FY 05 to provide sheep and goat flock ownerswith educational information, enroll flocks in the statusprogram, conduct surveillance testing on cull anddiagnostic animals and provide for some genotypetesting. No evidence of infection has ever been foundin Hawaii. Amendments to administrative rules are indraft form to insure Hawaii remains consistent withthe national program.

Dr. Terwey inspects importedhogs for infectious diseases.

Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy (BSE)During FY 05, 285 BSE samples were collected withno positive test results. Hawaii is participating in theenhanced national BSE surveillance efforts thatstarted June 1, 2004.

Voluntary Johne’s Disease Herd CertificationProgram (VJDHCP)A USDA cooperative agreement was used to conductJohne’s testing of dairy and beef herds during thefiscal year and provide outreach. In addition, herdrisk assessments were funded and conducted ondairies and ranches by private veterinarians throughthe cooperative agreement. During FY 05, 7,392 cattlewere tested for Johne’s disease. The VJDHCP goalis to implement disease control measures to reduceor eliminate Johne’s disease from cattle herds andconduct annual surveillance to verify a herd’s status.

Importation/Exportation of Livestock, Poultry andOther AnimalsAn embargo on the movement of poultry and otherbirds into Hawaii through the US Postal Service wasimplemented in September 2002. The embargoremains in place to prevent the entry of West Nilevirus and other avian diseases from entering the Statewith infected birds.

Inspected and approved for entry into the state: 20,499head of livestock; 7,360 poultry and other birds;938,720 day-old chicks and hatching eggs; 10,423dogs and cats; and 9,042 other animals.

The Branch staff conducted 48 complianceinvestigations resulting in four citations being issued,223 written warnings, and 21 animals wererefused entry.

Statistical data on animal imports and diseasesurveillance testing may be found on page 53.


The primary function of the Veterinary Laboratory is tosupport the mission of the Animal Industry Division in timelydetection and control of animal diseases important to thehealth and economy of Hawaii.

The Veterinary Laboratory provides a broad range oflaboratory services including bacteriology, clinicalchemistry, parasitology, pathology and serology. Annually,the laboratory receives more than 20,000 specimens froma wide range of animal species, primarily from the livestockand poultry industries, as well as non-profit and othergovernment agencies. These testing services are offeredat no cost to the submitting agencies.

The Veterinary Laboratory is currently certified by the USDAto provide testing for economically important animaldiseases such as anaplasmosis, brucellosis,bluetongue, equine infectious anemia, Johne’s disease,porcine respiratory-reproductive syndrome, andpseudorabies. In 2004, the laboratory actively participatedin Federal-State Cooperative surveillance programsmonitoring for the presence of avian influenza, andtransmissible spongiform encephalopathies (bovinespongiform encephalopathy, chronic wasting disease andscrapie). The laboratory also has cooperated with otherstate agencies, such as the state Department of Health,in the collection of specimens for surveillance of WestNile virus in birds which has public health significance.

During FY 05, the laboratory processed approximately24,000 animal specimens. Approximately 20,000specimens (82 percent) were received through theactivities of the Livestock Disease Control Branch.

The table on page 53 illustrates major categories ofdiagnostic/surveillance activities performed by theVeterinary Laboratory in FY 05.

VETERINARY LABORATORY BRANCHCrane H. Hahn, D.V.M., Program Manager

Left: Veterinary Laboratory Microbiologist Donna Wongprepares serological samples for testing.

Aquaculture Development Program

AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENTPROGRAM

John CorbinManager

The Aquaculture Development Program (ADP) providesessential support services to encourage further growthand diversification of the aquaculture industry. ADP is aplanning, development, and problem-solvingorganization whose goals are to assist in the start-up ofproduction and service businesses, and to contributeto their success. Specific activities include planningand policy formulation, new business development,permit facilitation, marketing assistance, diseasediagnosis and prevention assistance, and co-funding ofstatewide technical extension.

The mission of ADP is to: prepare and implement stateaquaculture plans and policies for the expansion ofaquatic farming, and research and technology transferbusiness; coordinate statewide development activities;and directly assist both public and private sectorinterests in achieving their aquaculture-related goals,so as to create jobs and diversify the economies ofall islands.

Major activities for FY 2005 were:

Wholesale product value for the industry hit a newhigh of $28.2M for calendar year 2004 according toDepartment statisticians.

Continued the joint implementation with theDepartment of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)of the amended Chapter 190D, HRS, Ocean andSubmerged Lands Leasing law by facilitating theapproval process for authorization of one additionallease (three currently authorized) and documentpreparation for three additional aquaculture leaseson various islands. Prepared annual joint report toLegislature with DLNR on status of the ocean leasinglaw. Participated in the planning for establishing anational offshore research center, Pacific MarineAquaculture Center, in Hawaii.

Served as Team Member for a study managed by theUniversity of Delaware, Center for Study of MarinePolicy that produced a report for Congress entitled,Operational Guidelines for Aquaculture Leasing in theU.S. Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ). Team alsoprovided input into Federal legislation to be submittedby the Department of Commerce in 2005 to allowaquaculture leasing in federal waters.

Participated in the governing boards and advisorycommittees of: Pacific Aquaculture and CoastalResources Center at UH Hilo, Center for Tropical andSubtropical Aquaculture, National Association of StateAquaculture Coordinators, Natural Energy Laboratoryof Hawaii Authority, Marine and Coastal ZoneManagement Advisory Group, Commodity AdvisoryGroup for Agriculture, University of Hawaii Sea GrantCollege Program, and the Hawaii AquacultureAssociation. Also, participated in economic developmenttask force exercise by Enterprise Honolulu and theOceanic Institute Hatchery Review Committee.

Assisted with permits for species importation andfarm siting for farmers on Oahu, Kauai, Maui andHawaii. Co-sponsored two workshops; on waterrecirculation systems and use of copepods inculturing marine fish.

Assisted in pulling together the Organizing Committeefor the Marine Ornamentals 2006 Conferencescheduled for Las Vegas, Nevada in February, 2006.Served on the Committee. This internationalconference is the fourth in a series that originated inHawaii. Reviewed industry proposals for the PacificTropical Ornamental Fish Program.

Aquaculture now supplies about 99 percent of limu ogo(seaweed) sold in Hawaii. Hawaiian Marine Enterprisesin Kahuku has been supplying customers for more than15 years.

Aquaculture Development Program

Promoted the consumption of aquaculture productsby participating in the State Farm Fair, Made in HawaiiExposition, Taste of Aquaculture, Sam Choy’s PokeContest, and the Hawaii Lodging, Hospitality and FoodService Expo. Worked with various internet, television,radio and print media to place stories and promotethe industry, including the local Tech Talk radio showand Korean Public Television. Also, worked withindustry association to implement grant to developpromotional video for the aquaculture industry.Continued electronic bi-monthly newsletter,Aquaflashes. Made presentation on Hawaiiaquaculture to a meeting of the Association of PacificIsland Legislatures.

After a long search, hired a new state aquacultureveterinarian who worked in the Florida aquacultureindustry for many years. Carried out for aquatic animalhealth management over 50 field trips and analyzed250 case submissions, and provided animal healthconsultation services to producers and researchorganizations, statewide, including conducting onfarm workshops on disease diagnosis and prevention.

Received a continuation grant from the USDA forresearch and technical assistance in diseasemanagement for the Hawaii aquaculture industry.Provided reviews of proposed Federal protocols forshipping live Hawaii broodstock shrimp to Japan.

Co-funded statewide technical extension services tothe aquaculture industry, in cooperation with the UHSea Grant Extension Service, leveraging over$400,000 in matching funds through the project. Also,advised UH on the establishment of an AquacultureCoordinator for the University of Hawaii system to gearup activities.

Provided technical reviews of research proposals tothe UH Sea Grant College Program, U.S. Departmentof Commerce, U.S. Department of Agriculture, thePacific Tropical Ornamental Fish Program (PTOFP)and the Biosystems Technology Program.

Updated Program website with revised text, newphotos and expanded links.

Left: Kona Blue LLC raises Kona KampachiTM

(amberjack) in open-ocean submerged cagesoff Kailua-Kona. Kona Blue is now the firstintegrated hatchery and offshore fish farm inthe country and is an emerging leader in theproduction of high-quality warm-watermarine finfish.

Above: Hawaii has gained a worldwidereputation for high quality broodstock shrimp.Testing and certification by ADP ensure thatthe shrimp, which are shipped across theglobe, are free of harmful shrimp diseases.

Right: ADP’s Theresa Toyama helps out at theDepartment’s trade show booth at the Hawaii Lodging,Hospitality and Foodservice Expo on Oahu. The Expo isthe largest trade show targeting the hotel and restaurantindustry, and provides great exposure for newaquaculture products.

Plant Industry Division

PLANT INDUSTRY DIVISION

Lyle Wong, Ph.D.Administrator

The Plant Industry Division consists of three branches,the Pesticides Branch, the Plant Pest Control Branchand the Plant Quarantine Branch. Together, the brancheswork to protect Hawaii’s agricultural industries bypreventing the entry and establishment of detrimentalinsects, weeds and other pests and by assuring the safeand efficient use of pesticides in Hawaii.

The division also works with growers, exporters, andother government agencies to resolve quarantine restric-tions in order to allow export of Hawaii’s fresh fruits,vegetables, flowers and foliage products to marketsworldwide.

PESTICIDES BRANCHRobert A. Boesch, Manager

The Pesticide Program regulates the distribution and useof pesticides through a program of licensing, testing thecompetency of restricted-use pesticide applicators, andeducating and monitoring pesticides distributors andapplicators. This is to ensure the efficient, effective andsafe use of pesticides to minimize adverse effects onthe environment.

The major activities of the program in FY 2005 wereas follows:

Emergency Request to Use Hydrated Lime to ControlCoqui Frogs Approved by the EPA

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued aquarantine emergency exemption, authorizing the useof hydrated lime to control coqui frogs. The exemptionis valid for a period of three years, effectiveApril 26, 2005. Demonstration classes on the safehandling and application of hydrated lime wereconducted on the Big Island, Maui and Oahu, withover 150 individuals attending.

Board of Agriculture Approves Pesticides ProposedRules for Public Hearing

In its March 2005 meeting, the Board of Agricultureapproved draft pesticides rules for public hearing. Theproposed rules are the product of work over the pastdecade. These rules will impact small businessesand the small business regulatory impact analysishas been submitted to the Small Business ReviewBoard for their comments and recommendations.Proposed rule changes include an increase in feesfor the licensing of pesticides for sale and distributionin Hawaii and penalties for the misuse of pesticides.Two new sections are proposed, one for the licensingnon-chemical pest control devices, another relatingto the review of substances to more fully characterizeunreasonable adverse effects. The target date for therules to be final is May 2006.

Chemical Analysis Laboratory Now in PesticidesBranch

The Department of Agriculture reorganized to movethe Chemical Analysis Laboratory from the QualityAssurance Division to the Plant Industry Division. Thismove was authorized to make better use of Federalfunds available to the pesticides program. Thelaboratory analyzes about 500 samples a year forpesticides. The laboratory is located at theDepartment of Health Laboratory on Waimano Home

Road in Pearl City.

Staff from the Pesticides Branch and Plant Pest ControlBranch held a workshop for the public and the media atCTAHR’s Urban Garden Center demonstrating the properuse of hydrated lime for the control of coqui frogs.

Hydrated lime is a caustic chemical that can be harmfulto humans and other animals if not used properly.Similar workshops were held on each island.


PLANT PEST CONTROL BRANCHLarry M. Nakahara, Manager (retired December 2004)Neil Reimer, Manager (from October 2005)

The primary function of the Plant Pest Control Branch is toreduce population densities of plant pests that causesignificant damage to agriculture and the environment tomanageable levels. This is achieved through statewideprograms to eradicate or control plant pests, which includedestructive insects, mites, snails and slugs, noxiousweeds, plant diseases, and any other organisms harmfulto plants, by utilizing chemical, mechanical, biological, andintegrated control measures. The Branch consists of theBiological Control Section and the Chemical/MechanicalControl Section.

Statistical data from the Plant Pest Control Branch maybe found on pages 54 and 55.

Some of the activities of the Branch during FY 2005included the following:

New Pest Detection and Identification

Identified 694 samples of insects and other organismsfrom which 102 specimens were processed and addedto the Branch’s Zoological Reference Collection. Thecollection now contains approximately 166,100specimens. In addition, 104 samples of insect specimensintercepted by the Plant Quarantine Branch were identifiedand 179 calls regarding various pests were received fromthe general public and processed.

Recorded eight new immigrant insects and one diseaseorganism in Hawaii during FY 05. Six of the insects areplant pests and two are fortuitous beneficial parasiticwasps. The disease organism is a very seriousrust fungus.

A bluegum psyllid parasitoid, Psyllaephagus pilosusNoyes (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae). The bluegumpsyllid, Ctenarytaina eucalypti (Maskell), was firstreported in the State infesting eucalyptus on Maui andHawaii in 1993. In February 2002, specimens of aparasitoid, Psyllaephagus pilosus Noyes, notpreviously recorded in Hawaii were reared frombluegum psyllids collected on Maui at Olinda. Thisparasitic wasp was not intentionally introduced toHawaii and is a case of fortuitous biological control. Itmost likely arrived in Hawaii in association with itshost. The parasitoid probably came from California,where it is now well established after being purposelyintroduced from Australia in 1992-1993 for biologicalcontrol of the blue gum psyllid.

Large orange sulfur, Phoebis agarithe agarithe(Boisduval) (Lepidoptera: Pieridae). Adults of this newbutterfly were first observed on Maui in the Olowaluarea in mid-July 2004. The sighting was confirmedby the HDOA Entomologist on Maui when severalspecimens were observed in flight around Manilatamarind (opiuma) trees (Pithecellobium dulce) inearly September 2004 in the area from Ukumehameto Olowalu. Opiuma is a leguminous tree that isnaturalized in Hawaii and is reported to be a host ofthe caterpillars of this butterfly. Species identificationwas confirmed later in the month when two adultspecimens were finally captured at Olowalu as theyvisited the flowers of the common red hibiscus andthe weedy bitter melon.

In January 2005, adults were observed in flight onOahu in the Moanalua-Salt Lake area, in Ewa, and atKalaeloa (Barbers Point), where specimens werenetted. Larvae were collected in West Maui fromopiuma trees along with some empty pupal cases inMarch 2005.

Macadamia felted coccid, Eriococcus ironsideiWilliams (Hemiptera: Eriococcidae). This new scaleinsect, commonly known as the macadamia feltedcoccid in Australia, was found infesting macadamiatrees at a commercial macadamia nut farm atHonomalino in South Kona in February 2005. Knownfrom Australia, it gets its name from the felt-like sacswhich enclose adult females and pupal cases ofmales. Macadamia is the only known host and allabove-ground plant parts, including leaves, stems,and flowers (racemes), may be infested. It ispotentially a serious pest because uncontrolledinfestations may adversely affect macadamia nutproduction by causing distortion and stunting of newgrowth and chlorosis on older leaves. Severeinfestations can cause dieback of trees and areduction in the yield of nuts.

Erythrina gall wasp, Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim(Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Samples of leaves andstems of the Indian coral tree, Erythrina variegata L.,damaged by the erythrina gall wasp (EGW) were firstcollected on Oahu at Manoa in April 2005. The EGWis a new species that was only described in 2004from specimens collected in Singapore, Mauritius,and Reunion in response to its invasion. It was laterlearned through a publication that it was first recordeddamaging coral trees in southern Taiwan in 2003.There is a lack of literature information on the EGWbecause it is a newly described species. Much of theinformation available is about its description, host


plants, damage, and current distribution. Its nativeorigin or range is unknown. There is somespeculation by specialists that tropical Africa may beits origin and may be the key to the discovery of naturalenemies. EGW infestations are readily observed asswellings and distortions on young leaves andshoots. The galls are formed by the plant in reactionto the damage caused by the larvae developing withinthe young plant tissue. As the EGW infestationprogresses, leaves curl and appear deformed whilepetioles and shoots become swollen. Other speciesof Erythrina affected by the wasp include the nativewiliwili tree (Erythrina sandwicensis) and “tallerythrina” (E. variegata ‘Tropic Coral’) used forwindbreak and landscaping.

Hibiscus psyllid, Mesohomotoma hibisci (Froggatt)(Hemiptera: Carsidaridae). This psyllid was foundinfesting the leaves and petioles of the hau tree(Hibiscus tiliaceus L.) on Oahu at Makiki in May 2005.This species is reported to be common throughoutthe Pacific area. Host plants include H. tiliaceus, H.rosa-sinensis, and H. boryanus. Adults of this insectwere reportedly causing a nuisance by flying aroundand alighting on people.

A eucalyptus gall wasp, Epichrysocharis burwelliSchauff (Hymenoptera: Eulophidae). Specimens ofthis eucalyptus gall wasp were first collected on Oahuat Aiea from the leaves of lemon gum eucalyptus,Eucalyptus citriodora, in April 2001. Its identity wasnot known until July 2005. The wasp causes smallblister-like galls on the leaves. This wasp is onlyknown to attack lemon gum eucalyptus with thedamage being cosmetic. Wasp larvae inject a toxinin the leaves which results in the formation of galls.

A glassywinged sharpshooter egg parasitoid,Gonatocerus ashmeadi Girault (Hymenoptera:Mymaridae). Specimens of this egg parasitoid werefirst reared from egg masses of the glassywingedsharpshooter collected at various localities inHonolulu in November 2004. This parasitoid hasbeen reported as one of the more common andeffective natural enemies of the sharpshooter in itsnative range in the southeastern U.S. and northeasternMexico. It was not purposely introduced into Hawaii,but apparently is another case of fortuitous biologicalcontrol, most likely having arrived in Hawaii fromCalifornia in association with its host. Consistentlyhigh numbers of this parasitoid have contributed to adramatic decline in sharpshooter population densities.

Trilobite scale, Pseudaonidia trilobitiformis (Green)(Hemiptera: Diaspididae). Specimens of this scalewere collected from crepe gardenia and crepe jasmineat Kailua-Kona on the Island of Hawaii in December2004. This armored scale, believed to be native tosouthern Asia, has spread throughout Africa, Malaysia,and Tropical America, and has been detected in theSouth Pacific. It has an extensive list of hosts,including ornamental plants and fruit crops.

A rust disease on ohia, Puccinia psidii Winter(Basidiomycetes, Uredinales). An ohia lehua plant,Metrosideros sp., infected by a rust disease wassubmitted to the University of Hawaii, College ofTropical Agriculture and Human Resources,Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (UH-CTAHR-ADSC) Plant Disease Clinic by an Oahu grower ofnative Hawaiian plants in Waimanalo. Initialidentification of this disease was based on recordsof a rust disease that is known to occur on plantspecies related to ohia. Until the discovery of this ruston ohia, there were no records of any rust on ohia inHawaii or elsewhere. The rust was tentativelyidentified as P. psidii, which is commonly known asthe eucalyptus rust and the guava rust in Florida, theCaribbean, and Central and South America, but shallbe called ohia rust in Hawaii. Subsequent surveys

Entomologist Ronald Heuexamines damage caused byerythrina gall wasps onIndian Coral tree. EGWlarvae cause distortion ofleaves and young shoots.


revealed that this rust was already widespread inHawaii, occurring on various members of the familyMyrtaceae on all islands except Niihau.

In May 2005, a very similar rust disease was observedon rose apple (Syzygium jambos) foliage on treesalong the Maunawili Trail by State Division of Forestryand Wildlife personnel on Oahu. Two species ofEugenia and a guava plant were observed in Makikiwith a similar rust disease in July 2005. Later, infectedohia plants were also found on Oahu at Manoa, Makiki,and Kalihi. Symptoms of the disease first begin astiny, bright yellow, powdery eruptions in a circularpattern on the leaf or stem surface. These infectionloci or spots expand and become necrotic, and spreadover the entire leaf, stem, or shoot. Leaves and stemscan become deformed by the disease and growingtips can die back when infection is severe. Symptomsare more likely to be observed on young, tender, growing points.

In November 2005, UH-CTAHR Plant & EnvironmentalProtection Sciences (PEPS) Plant PathologistDr. Shaobin Zhong confirmed the identity of the rustas P. psidii by comparing the DNA profiles of P. psidiispore samples from Florida and Brazil. This rustfungus has a very wide host range, which includeseucalyptus, guava, rose apple, paper bark tree,allspice, jaboticaba, Surinam cherry, Eugenia spp.,and other Myrtaceae species.

Above: Maui EntomologistMach Fukada (left) and PlantPathologist Eloise Killgore(right) examine an ohia treeon Oahu for ohia rust.

Right: Close up of pustulesformed by the rust.

Projects of the Branch’s Biological Control Sectionincluded the following during FY 2005:

Nettle Caterpillar [Darna pallivitta Moore]. The nettlecaterpillar remained confined to the east side of theBig Island but has spread beyond the original area ofinfestation. Some of the newly infested localities mayhave resulted from the movement of infested plantmaterial rather than natural dispersal by the adults.In August 2004, this pest had been detected in Keaauand by April of 2005, it was found in Kurtistown. It wasobserved in the Orchidland Subdivision in May 2005and in June, the caterpillars were found at HawaiianParadise Park in Puna.

During August 2004, a shipment of palm trees thatarrived at a Maui nursery from the Big Island wasfound to be infested with the nettle caterpillar. It wasdiscovered after one of the nursery workers was stungwhile unloading plants. Only one caterpillar wasfound during inspection of the palm shipment, but theentire shipment was treated with an insecticide andreturned to the shipper. A survey of potential nettlecaterpillar host plants was conducted at the nurserybut no stages or signs of the pest were found.

Propagation of the nettle caterpillar continued in theHDOA Insect Quarantine Facility (IQF) in Honolulu andin the Hilo Insectary on the Big Island. A virus that haskilled larvae in laboratory colonies has hamperedresearch. The Hilo Insectary has played a vital role inproviding nettle caterpillar larvae to the Honolulu IQFfor parasitoid propagation and host specificity testing.

At the end of January 2005, one year of data wascollected on field parasitism of nettle caterpillar eggson the Big Island by the locally established parasiticwasp, Trichogramma papilionis Nagarkatti.Unfortunately, during this study period, only a singledetection was made and parasitism rates were verylow, suggesting that the egg parasitoid does not havemuch impact on the pest.

The Nettle Caterpillar Project, a joint effort betweenthe HDOA and the University of Hawaii, conductedforeign exploration for natural enemies of D. pallivitta.Exploratory surveys were conducted in Indonesia Inlate 2003. Since the caterpillar’s native range issoutheastern Asia, an HDOA entomologist and anentomologist from Thailand’s National BiologicalControl Research Center conducted surveys inThailand. Another HDOA entomologist conductedexploration in Taiwan, where the infested shipmentmade to the Big Island originated. During October2004, the HDOA entomologist, with the help of localstaff from agricultural organizations, nurseries, andan agricultural college, found D. pallivitta caterpillarson palm plants at nurseries in central and southernTaiwan. Dead caterpillars, which were found to be


parasitized by wasps, were collected and broughtback to the Honolulu IQF for propagation and study.Two parasitoid species emerged, one of which wassuccessfully colonized in the IQF. This wasp,determined to be Aroplectrus dimerus Lin(Eulophidae), is undergoing host-specificity testingto assure that it will not attack any native Hawaiian orbeneficial caterpillar species.

Giant Whitefly [Aleurodicus dugesii Cockerell]. As aresult of fortuitous biological control, this serious plantpest never achieved its potential to devastate the widevariety of host plants it was capable of infesting. Theparasitic wasp Idioporus affinis LaSalle andPolaszek, which most likely arrived in Hawaii inassociation with the whitefly via shipments of infestedplant material from California, became established,multiplied rapidly, and dispersed readily to achievecomplete control over the pest.

The Giant Whitefly Biocontrol Project is one of themost outstanding examples of the effective andpermanent control of a potentially serious pest insectthat can be achieved in a relatively short period oftime with the minimum expenditure of funds.Statewide control was secured so quickly, just twoyears after the initial detection of the pest that themajority of residents may not have been aware of theproblem or may have mistakenly assumed that theinfestations were those of the spiraling whitefly, a veryclosely related species that was first found in Hawaiion Oahu in 1978.

An infestation of the giant whitefly was discovered oncommon red hibiscus in early December 2004 at aWaikoloa residence in West Hawaii, which is a newlocality record for this pest. The giant whiteflyparasitoid, I. affinis was also detected and appearedto be exerting good control. Later in the month, aninfestation on hibiscus at the Prince Kuhio Plaza inHilo seemed to be declining to a moderate level, whencompared to the high point in November. The youngergrowth appeared to be relatively free of this whitefly.Parasitism by I. affinis was high (70.1%), indicatingexcellent control by this parasitoid.

Cardin’s Whitefly [Metaleurodicus cardini (Back)].Presently, this whitefly is only known from the Hiloarea on the Big Island, but it could be more widelydispersed and not yet detected. Fiddlewood(Citharexylum spinosum) appears to be a preferredhost. Heavy infestations were observed on theseornamental trees in January 2005. Parasitism by aparasitic wasp, Encarsia sp., was determined to bevery low. However, ladybird beetles (Nephaspis spp.and Halmus chalybeus) appeared to bring theinfestations under some degree of control. Nooutbreaks were observed during monthly surveys therest of the year. This year’s wet weather in Hilo mayhave contributed to depress whitefly numbers.

Pickleworm [Diaphania nitidalis Cramer]. Thiscaterpillar, previously not known to occur in Hawaii,was found in central Oahu, damaging cucumber fruitsat a farm in Kunia in November 2003. Subsequentsurveys disclosed more damage on other cucurbitcrops, including zucchini and kabocha squash, in thearea. Tentative identification was made by the UH-CTAHR and confirmed by the USDA-ARS SystematicEntomology Laboratory in Beltsville, Maryland.

The pickleworm is a tropical American insect that hasbeen detected from Canada to South America. InHawaii, the pickleworm was found to be widelydispersed throughout Oahu. Favored host plantsincluded cucumber, zucchini, and kabocha squash.In September 2004, it was found on Kauai, infesting aplanting of Japanese cucumber at Kalaheo. On theBig Island, an adult specimen was reared fromkabocha squash that had been collected in Kona atKainaliu in November 2004. A subsequent survey inJanuary 2005 found this pest to be well establishedand widespread on the Big Island. Damage wasreported by zucchini farmers at opposite ends of theisland in Waimea and Naalehu, and in cucumberplantings just north of Hilo. On Maui, the picklewormwas found infesting cucumber at Ulupalakua in March 2005.

Glassywinged Sharpshooter [Homalodiscacoagulata (Say)]. Specimens of this leafhopper werefirst collected on Oahu in May 2004 in a residentialarea in Waiau, a section of Pearl City, just above PearlHarbor East Loch. The HDOA Insect Taxonomistidentified the species as the glassywingedsharpshooter (GWSS) and it was later confirmed bythe California Department of Food and Agriculture(CDFA). The GWSS is native to the southeasternUnited States and is also known in northern Mexico.

In California, this pest had become a serious problemafter it was first detected in 1989, mainly because itwas a vector of a bacterial pathogen (Xylellafastidiosa) that threatened the grape industry. Thisbacterium also causes diseases in other plants,including citrus, coffee, and oleander and otherornamental plants. Fortunately, observations ofvarious hosts and subsequent testing of GWSSspecimens sent to California have confirmed that thebacterium did not arrive in Hawaii with the pest.Although there is a small grape industry on Maui(Ulupalakua) and Hawaii (Volcano), the biggestconcern over the GWSS was its impact on tourismbecause of reports from Tahiti, where this pest wasfirst found in 1999. Heavy infestations became apersistent nuisance to residents and tourists as aresult of the squirting of watery excretion by the adultsand nymphs as they inserted their stylet-l ikemouthparts into the xylem tissue of the foliage andstems of large trees and sucked in the plant fluids.


The GWSS has a very wide host range, more than200 host plant species according to a CDFA report.In Hawaii, GWSS hosts include African tulip, croton,crown flower, gardenia, Tahitian gardenia, haole koa,hibiscus, java plum, kou, lime, monkeypod, mountainapple, oleander, papaya, pittosporum, plumeria,pummelo, and ti. Initial surveys conducted on Oahudetected GWSS infestations in Pearl City (Waiau andWaimalu), and in portions of Honolulu (Makalapa,Honolulu International Airport, Salt Lake, Tripler,Mapunapuna, Shafter Flats, Keehi Lagoon, and Kalihi).

Papaya Mealybug [Paracoccus marginatus Williamsand Granara de Willink]. Specimens believed to bethe papaya mealybug (PMB) were first observed inCentral Maui infesting papaya plants in residentialareas of Kahului in early May 2004. In June 2004,specimens were determined to be the PMB by insectspecialists of the USDA-APHIS-PPQ in Honolulu. AUSDA-ARS coccidologist in Maryland, confirmed theidentification. The PMB is native to Mexico and CentralAmerica. It spread to the Caribbean Islands, Floridaand Guam. The PMB is found on the leaves and fruitsof host plants.

On Maui, PMB infestations were subsequentlydetected in Wailuku, Waiehu, Kuau, Kihei, Wailea,Maalaea, Kaanapali, and Honokowai. None havebeen found on any of the other islands. Heavyinfestations have been observed on papaya, hibiscus,jatropha, and plumeria. In other regions where it isknown, the PMB is also reported to infest avocado,beans, citrus, eggplant, mango, peas, peppers, potato,sweet potato, tomato, and other plants. Papaya,plumeria, and hibiscus appear to be thefavored hosts.

Entomologist Juliana Yalemar surveys for glassywingedsharpshooter. Inset: Adult GWSS.

On Maui, a predaceous ladybird beetle, Hyperaspissilvestrii Weise, has been observed preying on thePMB. An unidentified parasitic wasp appears to behaving a significant impact in suppressing PMBinfestations on Maui. A colony of the papaya mealybugwas established in the HDOA IQF on papaya plantsfrom specimens collected on Maui. In June 2005,four shipments of parasitoids were received from theUSDA lab in Puerto Rico. The parasitoids wereoriginally collected in Mexico and are currently beingreared in a lab in Puerto Rico . Each shipmentconsisted of the three species of parasitic wasps thatwere successfully utilized previously on Guam.

Macadamia Felted Coccid [Eriococcus ironsideiWilliams]. The macadamia felted coccid (MFC) wasfirst found in Hawaii in late February of 2005 in amacadamia orchard at Honomalino in the south KonaDistrict on the island of Hawaii. Pest distributionsurveys were immediately begun by the grower. Thesesurveys revealed the pest to be established over morethan 1,600 acres and from a maximum altitude of2,700 feet down to 1,300 feet. The grower had importedscion wood for grafting purposes in the late 1990’sfrom Australia and this is the probable source of the pest.

Pest surveys of nearby macadamia orchards underseparate ownership were started immediately byBiocontrol Section staff to determine if the MFC hadmoved off the infested parcel. The closest orchardsin South Kona and Ka’u to the infested orchard havebeen surveyed and there was no sign of MFC. Theorchards that received propagative material from theknown infested orchard are being surveyed islandwide and none have yet been found to be infested.

The MFC is an insect that belongs to the familyEriococcidae, whose members are similar tomealybugs, but differ in having little or no wax on theirbodies. Adult females do not have wings and areimmobile. Adult males are gnat-like and have wingsbut do not feed. After hatching, the tiny first instarnymphs, known as crawlers, move about anddisperse by the wind or by hitchhiking on birds, people,vehicles, or farm equipment. After wetting down, theyfeed by inserting their needle-like mouthparts into planttissue and removing sap. MFC individuals excretehoneydew droplets as they feed. The sugary wasteproduct falls like rain on surfaces below infestationsand serve as a substrate for the growth of sooty mold,which can interfere with photosynthesis.

The MFC is native to Australia and infestations arerestricted to macadamia, which is also an Australiannative. On the island of Hawaii, the MFC has not beenfound outside of the two originally infested orchardsin Honomalino. None have been detected inmacadamia orchards on any of the neighbor islands.MFC infestation distorts and stunts new growth and


causes yellow spotting on older leaves. Severeinfestations can cause dieback. On bearing trees,nut yields are reduced and there is a delay in the fallof mature nuts.

In Australia, it has been reported that the MFC hasnumerous natural enemies, including predaceousladybird beetles, lacewings, and mites, and parasiticwasps. In South Kona, low numbers of severalladybird beetles and some parasitic wasps have beenobserved in association with MFC infestations.

Erythrina Gall Wasp [Quadrastichus erythrinae Kim].The erythrina gall wasp (EGW) invaded Hawaii in early2005 and has rapidly dispersed throughout Oahu.Samples of damaged leaves and stems with gallswere collected in Manoa from a coral tree (Erythrinavariegata L.) in mid-April.

By July 2005, early infestations had been detected onErythrina trees on Hawaii, Kauai, and Maui, in thatorder, mostly in or near airports. Severe infestationson Oahu have defoliated trees, stunted their growth,and may even have caused some mortality. The EGWhas quickly confirmed reports from other areas of theworld of its destructive potential to devastate Erythrinatrees. The most serious threat by the EGW in Hawaiiis to the endemic wiliwili (E. sandwicensis Degener),which is still readily found in lowland dry forests. Thisnative Hawaiian tree could soon become a threatenedand endangered species as a result of the EGWonslaught. Another favored host, the tall erythrina (E.variegata L. ‘Tropic Coral’), is now the tree of choicefor use as windbreak in agricultural areas and forlandscaping and screening in urban areas with high-rise buildings. Some of these plantings have alreadybeen completely defoliated to resembletall matchsticks.

The EGW is proving to be the most rapidly dispersingand severely devastating pest insect in the history ofthe Hawaiian Islands. This wasp is in the familyEulophidae and is typically very tiny. The males areabout 1.0 mm in length, while the females are about1.5 mm long. The larvae are phytophagous(herbivores). They feed and develop in the youngtissue of erythrina stems and leaves. As the larvaefeed within the plant tissues, they induce the formationof galls by the host plants.

Ivy Gourd [Coccinia grandis (L.) Voigt]. Thepropagation colony of the ivy gourd gall weevil,Acythopeus burkhartorum O’Brien, continued to bemaintained in the HDOA Insect Propagation Facilityon Oahu throughout FY 05. However, lab productionof the beetle remained low. Only two releases weremade during this fiscal year. In July 2004, 25 adultweevils were released on ivy gourd infestations inMoanalua and 20 were released in Maunawili inNovember. Periodically heavy rainfall during the year

resulted in an upsurge of ivy gourd populationdensities on Oahu. However, the ivy gourd vine borerand the ivy gourd leafmining weevil, remained activeamid ivy gourd infestations to ensure that this invasiveweed does not return to its former level of dominancethroughout the island.

Miconia [Miconia calvescens DC]. Jean-Yves Meyer,an ecologist with the Government of French Polynesia,visited Plant Pathology Quarantine Facility in Honoluluon his way to a conference on the Big Island. Meyerreported that the miconia pathogen, Colletotrichumgloeosporioides f. sp. miconiae, which was releasedin Tahiti through the cooperative project with the HDOAPlant Pathology Unit, has been very effective in someareas and is spreading quite rapidly. Governmentofficials in French Polynesia are quite satisfied withthe results.

Fireweed [Senecio madagascariensis Poiret]. Duringexploration for fireweed natural enemies in 2005, theHDOA Exploratory Entomologist collected threeLepidoptera species and a species of weevil inMadagascar. In South Africa, a variety of fireweednatural enemy species collected included two weevils,a flea beetle, a planthopper, a lace bug, and two arctiidmoths. Attempts to propagate and colonize most ofthese potential biocontrol agents in the HDOA InsectQuarantine Facility were not successful. Somespecies were too few in number while others failed toproduce progeny. However, one arctiid moth,Nyctemera apicalis, which was collected in SouthAfrica, was successfully colonized in good numbersand host range studies are in progress.

The caterpillars are voracious defoliators of fireweedand this species appears to be a very promisingbiocontrol candidate. Host specificity testing ofSecusio extensa (Butler), the Madagascan fireweeddefoliating caterpillar collected during exploration in1999, has been completed and data to produce thedocument to justify release of this arctiid moth speciesis being assembled. A final report is being preparedas a prelude to a request for release of this speciesfrom quarantine.

In some replicates of earlier tests, this caterpillar gavesome indication of being able to feed and, in somecases, complete its life cycle on sunflower. However,in choice tests, the caterpillars preferred fireweed andthe females were consistently attracted to fireweedand showed no interest in depositing any eggs onsunflower. None of the other test plants proved to besuitable hosts for the caterpillars and the femalemoths showed no interest in them for egg laying.

Testing of the fireweed flower head tephritid flycollected in 1999 from South Africa, is nearingcompletion. The larvae of the tephritid fly feed on theinside of the flower buds of fireweed. A few more


native plants still need to be tested. Among them isthe Haleakala silversword, Argyroxiphiumsandwicense subsp. macrocephalum (A. Gray) Meyrat.A permit to collect the flower buds of the silverswordwas filed with the U. S. Fish and Wildlife Servicethrough the Haleakala National Park Service.

Maile Pilau [Paederia foetida L.]. The Skunk VineBiocontrol Project, a collaborative effort between theUSDA-ARS Invasive Plant Research Laboratory (IPRL)in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, and the HDOA BiocontrolSection continued in FY 05, but activities were on hold.During this fiscal year, arrangements were made byIPRL researchers with collaborators in Nepal andThailand to send potential biocontrol agents of skunkvine to the HDOA IQL in Honolulu for host rangetesting. However, no shipments have been received to date.

Fountaingrass [Pennisetum setaceum (Forssk.)Chiov.]. The third year of the cooperative project withresearchers at the University of Mansoura, Egypt, inthe search for biocontrol agents of fountaingrass washighlighted by the visit of Dr. Mohamed Elwakil, ProjectPlant Pathologist and Principal Egyptian Investigatorin June 2005. He hosted a seminar at HDOA duringwhich he shared information on his surveys offountaingrass in the northern and eastern coasts ofEgypt. Dr. Elwakil and his staff have not yet been ableto identify any suitable biocontrol agent forfountaingrass, but have another year of funding for exploration.

Dr. Elwakil and the HDOA Plant Pathologist traveledto the Waikoloa area on the Big Island to view thefountaingrass infestation. He was overwhelmed atthe extent of fountaingrass there and every new turnin the road brought another view of more and morefountaingrass. At one of the lookouts, the fountain-grass carpeted the mountain slope and all of the landdown to the shore miles away. He later said thatthere is not as much fountaingrass in all of Egypt aswhat he had observed on the Big Island. Because oftime constraints, they had not even reached Kona,where the infestations are much worse. As hedeparted the Islands, he said that he would renewhis efforts in the exploration with more enthusiasmbecause of the urgency to control this highly invasive pest.

Banana Poka [Passiflora tarminiana Coppens &Barney, sp.nov. (P. mollissima)] Following in the footsteps of the successful transfer and establishmentof the mistflower biocontrol fungal agent, Entylomaageratinae R.W. Barreto & H.C. Evans from Hawaii toNew Zealand, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research,New Zealand, once again collaborated with the HDOAPlant Pathology Unit. The new project required theconduct of host range tests as part of the riskassessment to allow the importation of the bananapoka biocontrol fungus Septoria passiflorae Louw intoNew Zealand for control of banana poka. Thisbiocontrol agent was released in Hawaii in 1996.

Projects of the Branch’s Chemical/Mechanical ControlSection included the following during the FY 2005:

Little Fire Ant (LFA), Wasmannia auropunctataChemical/Mechanical (CM)section staff treatedinfestations of LFA on the Islands of Kauai and Hawaii.Approximately 175 acres on the Big Island and 0.5acres on Kauai are infested with the invader.Chemical trials were conducted jointly withresearchers from the UH-CTAHR, to find insecticidesfor use at various LFA infestation sites, such asnurseries, residential, golf courses, pastures, andfruit and nut orchards.

Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV)Containment and management practices continuedon the Island of Kauai and Maui. CM personnel detectand chemically destroyed diseased banana plants.On Maui, BBTV infected plants at commercial andresidential were chemically or mechanically rogued.

FireweedFireweed on the Islands of Kauai and Oahu werecontained†. Both islands have managed the sites andhave had no new plants emerge. Fireweed had atone time infested two acres on Kauai and about fiveacres on Oahu. It is believed that throughcontaminated grass seed that was used to landscaperoadside projects that fireweed was introduced toOahu and Kauai. Surveys continued for newpopulations on Kauai, Oahu, Lanai, and Molokai.

FountaingrassSurveillance and removal of fountain grass on Kauai,Oahu, and Lanai had been a joint effort betweenmultiple state, private, and federal agencies.

Coqui FrogCoqui frog control efforts and sprayer loan programscontinued on the Big Island, Maui, Oahu, and Kauai. †

Community groups, nurseries and private individualsmay use the sprayers with no charge on these islands.

Left to right: Plant Pest Control’s Harvey Lee, Renato Bautista,Ray Tanaka and Becky Azama survey the renovation project atCastle Junction in Kaneohe, Oahu, for fireweed.


PLANT QUARANTINE BRANCHNeil Reimer, Manager

(Assigned to Plant Pest Control in October 2005)Carol Okada, Manager (from January 2006)

GorseChemical or mechanical control of designated noxiousweeds continued for gorse (Ulex europaeus), Miconia(Miconia calvescens), turkeyberry (Solanum torvum),and glory bush (Tibouchina spp.). †

Erythrina Gall Wasp (EWS)Personnel performed surveillance for the EWS on allislands. Section staff worked with the University ofHawaii on efficacy trials for various chemicals for useagainst the gall wasp.

Long Thorn KiaweContinued efforts to remove populations of long thornkiawe, Prosopis juliflora, from Oahu and Kauaishorelines. ††

Seed InspectionRoutine surveys of agricultural and vegetable seedvendors, to ensure the quality and proper labeling ofseed sold to consumers, were conducted.Examination of seed lots entering the United Statesfrom foreign ports were performed. Seed lotscontaining prohibited noxious weed seeds or seedsof quarantine status were refused entry. Germinationtests were performed on vegetable and agriculturalseed lots to ensure that minimum germinationstandards were met.

Public Awareness ActivitiesSection personnel conducted educational outreachfor public awareness on all islands. Presentationscovered topics such as noxious weeds and coquifrogs at the Hawaii County Fair, Maui County Fair,Oahu Farm Fair, and Kauai County Fair.

† Joint effort with Kauai and Oahu Invasive Species Committees(KISC and OISC, respectively) groups on Kauai and Oahu

†† Joint effort with Kauai Invasive Species Committees (KISC)

Plant Pest Control Branch’s Samuel Benzon sprays anherbicide on long thorn kiawe along Kapalama Canal.

The Plant Quarantine Branch administers Hawaii’s plantand non-domestic animal quarantine program bypreventing the introduction of harmful pests and diseasesinto the State and by facilitating plant exports. This isaccomplished through:

permit reviews,air and sea ports-of-entry inspections,interisland inspections,investigating and enforcing State quarantine lawsand regulations, andeducating travelers and the public inspecting andcertifying plants for export.

Statistical data on the activities of the Plant QuarantineBranch may be found on page 56.

FY 2005

Highlights

A Cuban Knight Anole was caught at the Mid PacificGolf Course. The lizard was picked up by an inspectorfrom the Honolulu Airport Plant Quarantine Office.

A four-foot-long ball python snake was captured bytwo men in Waipahu near the Waipahu ElementarySchool, and taken to their home in Waianae. Theyreported the snake to the police, and a HDOA inspectorretrieved the snake.

This Cuban tree frog that was intercepted by HDOAinspectors conducting inspection of plants shipped viaFederal Express from Florida.


A dead opossum was found by employees of abusiness warehouse in Mapunapuna, on Oahu. Thedead opossum was found in a container of plasterand texturing compounds, which had just arrived fromTorrance, California. The animal was picked up byinspectors and subsequent tests were negativefor rabies.

A foot-long garter snake was found in a Christmastree container at a Kailua supermarket after theChristmas trees were removed from the container.The Christmas trees arrived with a phytosanitarycertif icate issued by the Oregon Departmentof Agriculture.

An animal was seen running around in the plane whilea crew was unloading a cargo flight from Travis AirForce Base in California. The crew closed the aircraftdoors and called the Honolulu Airport PlantQuarantine Office for assistance. A Plant Quarantinedetector dog team were dispatched and captured theanimal. A test for rabies was negative.

A three-foot-long iguana was caught by a homeownerin Waimanalo, Oahu. An inspector retrievedthe animal.

A Manoa, Oahu homeowner caught a two-foot-longlizard on a wall next to his driveway. Inspectors fromthe Plant Quarantine Branch Airport Office were sentto pick up the lizard, which was identified as a SolomonIsland Prehensile-Tailed Skink.

A detector dog team detected a soft bag from a UnitedAirlines Flight containing three hermit crabs whichwere undeclared. The hermit crabs were confiscatedand destroyed.

Some of the items detected by the canine teamsincluded: thirty orchid plants (declared), three peonyplants with soil (undeclared), one cymbidium orchidbulb (declared), and one bag of Napa cabbageinfested with aphids (undeclared).

A detector dog team confiscated four coconuts frompassengers onboard a KC135 from Guam at HickamAir Force Base, while conducting a routine inspectionfor brown treesnakes. The coconuts werelater destroyed.

Staff submitted 1,740 insect interceptions to the PlantQuarantine entomologist for identification. Of these,37.6 percent were not known to be established inHawaii, 41.8 percent were known to be establishedin Hawaii and in 20.6 percent of the interceptions, thepresence in Hawaii of the insect was not known.Based on these identifications, the dispositions ofthese shipments were as follows: 56.1percent hadthe pest removed and the commodities were releasedto the importer, 4.93 percent were refused entry andreturned to the point of origin, 35.2 percent were treatedand destroyed, and 3.8 percent were treatedand released.

A total of 227 containers of Christmas trees wereshipped to Hawaii from Oregon and Washington. Inaccordance with the HDOA protocol, Washington andOregon Departments of Agriculture witnessed theshaking and cleaning of 100 percent of the trees in 78percent of the containers. The other 22 percent of thecontainers were spot checked by the two mainlandagriculture departments. Two containers were foundby HDOA inspectors to be infested with maleyellowjackets.

In June 2005, a plant quarantine inspector fromJapan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries(MAFF) arrived in Hilo and worked with HDOA staff toconduct a test to validate that growers in Hawaii canproduce market-ready potted anthurium plants thatare free of burrowing nematodes. During themeetings in Hilo, HDOA received an indication thatthe protocol will be approved; however, public hearingswere to be held in Japan. HDOA is awaiting formalword from MAFF on the approval to export pottedanthuriums to Japan.

Three separate search warrants were served by thePlant Quarantine Branch in conjunction with State,Federal and County law enforcement personnelresulting in the confiscation of a squirrel monkey froma Makiki, Oahu man; two leopard sharks, two ribboneels and two lionfish from a Moiilili, Oahu man; andtwo capuchin monkeys from a Holualoa, Hawaii man.The Makiki and Holualoa men, who were inpossession of primates were issued citations of

PQ inspectors Roxine Kubo, Cindy Nakamura, andKeevin Minami, set up a display booth at the BishopMuseum’s Reptile exhibition on a family Sunday toincrease public awareness of invasive species.


$1,000.00 each, and surrendered ownership to theanimal enclosures. The Moiliili man is currently infederal custody and the case is pending.

A snake sighting near Hamoa Beach in Hana, Maui inAugust 2004 prompted a search by personnel fromHDOA, Department of Land & Natural Resources-Division of Forestry & Wildlife, Hawaii Department ofHealth-Vector Control Branch, U.S. Department ofAgriculture-Wildlife Services and the Maui InvasiveSpecies Committee. Searchers from the U.S.Geological Survey in Guam as well as Commonwealthof the Northern Mariana Islands from Saipan alsojoined the effort. The deployment of baited snaketraps as well as night searches were conducted for aperiod of three weeks; however, no snakewas recovered.

Four HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch personnelreceived their annual one-week refresher course forbrown treesnake rapid response training in Guam.Participants were given updated information on BTSinterdiction work and conducted night searches inthe field for the nocturnal reptile.

A total of 29 talks and tours consisting of 1,998individuals were conducted by the Plant QuarantineSpecialists (Plant, Land Vertebrates, Microorganism,Insect, Invertebrate and Aquatic Biota). Attendees weregiven a slide presentation, which included historicalas well as operational information on the PlantQuarantine Branch program. In addition, visitors werealso shown a live display of prohibited and restrictedanimals that were confiscated or turned inunder amnesty.

During May and June 2005, the Plant QuarantineBranch conducted an Oahu Risk Assessment (ORA),a program to increase inspection of plant materialarriving via air cargo, mainly focusing on shipmentscoming into Honolulu International Airport in theevenings. Information collected during the “blitz” helpto determine the highest risk commodities and routesof entry. The ORA is similar to the Maui RiskAssessment, which has been conducted periodicallyas part of the Kahului Airport Expansion Project.

During risk assessments, inspection teams try toinspect cargo from every flight with plant material todetermine commodities and routes that are thehighest risk for bringing in pests and disease. Withthis information, inspectors can target these high-risk shipments during routine inspections.

Future risk assessments are being planned for Hilo,Kona on the Big Island and on Kauai.

Teams of inspectors conduct the Oahu Risk Assessmentthat intensifies inspection over a period of time to deter-mine high risk commodities and their routes of entry.

During the ORA, inspectors Leslie Iseke (l) and GlennSakamoto (r) inspect a shipment of live seafood, whichrequires an import permit from PQ prior to shipping.

Quality Assurance Division

COMMODITIES BRANCH

Jeri Kahana, Manager

William PierpontActing Administrator

The Quality Assurance Division consists of two branches,the Commodities Branch and the MeasurementStandards Branch. The branches provide services andenforce laws that help to improve the market quality ofagricultural commodities, promote fair trade and honestbusiness practices, and maintain stability in thedairy industry.

QUALITY ASSURANCE DIVISION

The mission of the Commodities Branch is to “Set theStandards” and provide assurance that standardized, highquality, safe, and authentic Hawaii agricultural productscan be showcased in Hawaii as well as throughout theworld market through a fair and just agriculturalbusiness climate.

The Commodities Branch enhances the economic stabilityof Hawaii’s agricultural industries by maintaining gradestandards for locally produced fruits and vegetables, nuts,coffee, flowers and foliage, processed foods and otheragricultural products. The branch provides unbiased,professional, and timely service-for-fee grade, condition,and origin certification and food safety audits, to add valueand desirability to agricultural products. Under federal-state cooperative agreements, the branch provides federalcertification for fresh and processed fruits and vegetables,eggs, seafood and meat, which may not otherwise beavailable to local clients, as well as state certification fororigin and quality of green coffee, and origin ofcertain products.

The branch provides just, and unbiased enforcement toassure safety and fair business dealings in agriculturalproducts, to protect the agricultural community as well asthe general public. The branch administers laws andrules pertaining to fresh fruit, vegetable, coffee, egglabeling and advertising; minimum export quality; licensingof dealers in agricultural products; prevention of agriculturaltheft; and sampling and testing of animal feed for labelguarantee and adulteration.

The Branch’s Milk Control Section regulates the dairyindustry in the Honolulu and Hawaii milk sheds bylicensing producers and distributors of milk, establishingmilk production quotas, setting minimum class 1 pricepaid to dairy producers, and conducting retail milk surveysand inspections. This special funded section is entirelyself-funded through license fees assessed to milkproducers and processors.

The Commodities Branch’s Chemical Analysis LaboratorySection provides chemical analysis services for the FeedProgram as well as the Pesticides Branch. Animal feedsamples are analyzed for adulteration from agri-chemicalsand mycotoxins; environmental samples are analyzed forcontamination from agri-chemical and other substances;and pesticides are tested for ingredients. The ChemicalAnalysis Laboratory Section, under an inter-departmentalagreement, is located in the State Department of Health’sState Laboratories Division in Pearl City.

Listed below are brief overviews of developments that haveimpacted the Branch’s activities. (See page 57 for adetailed table of activities):

Hired Branch Manager through internal recruitmentwithin the Branch, and one marketing specialiston Kauai.

Inspected and certified over 1.3 million cases ofcanned pineapple from Maui Pineapple Company,which continues to receive large federal governmentcontracts and assessed over $200,000 in fees.

Continued the fee-for-service papaya non-transgenictesting program and established and conducted anew “Identity Preservation Protocol” program for tightercontrol of non-transgenic papayas that are exported

Commodities inspector Richard Dinker grades greencoffee beans in the Kona Office.


to Japan. More than four million pounds of papayaswere checked and $39,952 in fees were assessedover the year.

Through the enactment of Act 49, SLH 2003 the Branchhired ten Agricultural Commodities Aids to: 1) provideauditing and certification services for food safety, foodsecurity and product traceability; 2) provide temporaryhelp in various programs under one certificationservices revolving fund; and 3) conduct the seedcertification inspection, previously performed by thePlant Pest Control Branch, Plant Industry Division.This act allowed the Branch to address new demands,and cross-utilize temporary staff to assist whereneeded, for better efficiency.

Staff attended papaya, coffee, eggs and cattle industrymeetings and conferences; and Hawaii MarketingAlliance meetings for a “Seal of Quality program.”

Staff participated in meetings with farmers and theHonolulu Police Department officers on the preventionof agricultural theft. Flyers were also distributed tovarious processors, wholesalers, shippers, truckers,and airlines.

Attended mainland training sessions andconferences, which included: Processed ProductsBranch National Supervisor ’s Conference, EPAsponsored Pesticide Analytical Workshop onCommercial Formulation End Product Analysis; andthe International Association of Milk Control Agenciesannual conference. The costs to attend theseconferences were mostly paid by federal agenciesand the milk special fund, at minimal or no cost tothe state.

Hosted supervisory visits by officials from USDAAgricultural Marketing Service - Processed ProductsBranch, and Poultry Division.

Participated in a Federal-State agreement to distributeup to $35,000 under a USDA Organic CertificationCost-Share Program, to qualified organic producersand handlers in Hawaii for the period 10/01/02 through 9/30/04.

Through EPA and Pesticides Branch funding, theChemical Analysis Laboratory continued to analyzesoil samples for a soil leaching project. This projectis geared to help farmers find an easy method topurge their soil of persistent pesticides.

Established a geographic region origin verificationsystem to ensure that coffee being certified as “Kona”coffee originated within the Kona districts.

Branch fee assessments and penalties collectedtotaled $736,701; about 22 percent more thanlast year.

Above: Egg inspectors use a “candler” to inspect eggsfor quality and grade.

Above: Commodities inspector Gary Kumashiroperforms pre-operative sanitation inspection at an eggprocessing facility.


MEASUREMENT STANDARDS BRANCH

William Pierpont, Manager

The Measurement Standards Branch works to protectconsumers, businesses, and manufacturers from unfairpractices, which are based on a measurement processor subject to a standard of quality. The goal is to minimizelosses and inaccuracies due to incorrect or fraudulentcommercial measuring equipment, processes, orsubstandard products.

The Standards and Technical Services Section assuresthat State measurement standards conform to nationalstandards. It performs metrological calibration of theenforcement standards used by the branch and the fieldstandards used by registered service agencies in repairingcommercial devices.

The Standards and Trade Practices Enforcement Sectionhas the responsibility of assuring the consumer thattransactions involving measuring instruments, labeling,content of packaged commodities, and pricing are accurateand fair to all parties.

Listed below are brief overviews of developments that haveimpacted the branch’s activities (See page 57 for a detailedtable of activities.)

The State Metrologist received advanced training andcertification from the National Institute of Standardsand Technology (NIST).

The metrology laboratory received re-certification bythe National Institute of Standards and Technology.

The metrology laboratory inspected and calibrated93 mass test standards, 672 mass enforcementstandards, and 499 field standards for serviceagencies conducting business in the State ofHawaii.

The metrology laboratory inspected and calibrated13 volumetric test standards, 72 volumetricenforcement standards, and eight volumetric fieldstandards for service agencies conductingbusiness in the State of Hawaii.

The Branch received and investigated over 19odometer complaints. In conjunction with theAttorney Generals Office the investigationscompleted by the Branch have led to indictments,arrests, and prosecutions.

The compliance rate for stores inspected for priceverification was 90 percent.

Agribusiness Development Corporation

Alfredo LeeExecutive Director

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENTCORPORATION

The Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) wasestablished pursuant to Act 264, SLH 1994 to coordinatethe development of Hawaii’s agricultural industry and tofacilitate its transition from a dual-crop (sugar andpineapple) industry to a diversified, multi-crop and animalindustry. More specifically, ADC is responsible fordevising means by which arable sugar and pineapplelands and their production infrastructure can be usedagain by a diversified agricultural industry and forproviding marketing assistance that can lead to thedevelopment of local, national, and international marketsfor Hawaii-grown products. For administrativepurposes, ADC is attached to the Hawaii Departmentof Agriculture.

Mission Statement (revised August 30, 2004): “TheAgribusiness Development Corporation (ADC) is adynamic vehicle and process to create and to optimizeagricultural assets throughout the state for the economic,environmental and social benefit of the people of Hawaii.It is a risk-taking advocate for agriculture with uniquepowers to assist agricultural business.”

ADC Board Members:Yukio Kitagawa (Chair)Teena Rasmussen (Vice Chair)Bert HattonDenis KamChris KanazawaWayne KatayamaEric WeinertSandra Lee Kunimoto (Ex-Officio, HDOA)Ted Liu (Ex-Officio, Department of Business,

Economic Develoment & Tourism)Peter Young (Ex-Officio, Department of Land and

Natural Resources).

The following are highlights of ADC’s activity duringFY 2005:

Kekaha Agricultural LandsIn March 2005, ADC completed all of its projectsrelated to the Navy Phase II and Phase III funding foroff-base projects at the Pacific Missile Range Facility(PMRF). A total of $4.46 million was spent upgradinginfrastructure to include the following: repair/replacement of six drainage pumps and relatedstructures at the Kawaiele and Nohili pump stations,dredging of drainage canals and improvement of floodcontrol gates to facilitate the flow of storm water;repair/upgrade of the Mauka hydroelectric plant;rewiring of the Waiawa hydroelectric plant generator,improvement of access roads; and the hardening ofelectrical power lines.

When the 270-acre lease and the agriculturalrestrictive use easement for the Mana plain aregranted to the Navy by the Department of Land andNatural Resources, it is anticipated the Navy willcontinue to ask ADC to be involved with the operationand maintenance of the pump stations and drainagecanal maintenance.

Gay and Robinson (G&R), one of the two remainingsugar companies in the state, announced that theywould quit production farming at Kekaha afterharvesting their next crop. However, they haveexpressed interest to continue farming at Kekaha forsugar cane seed. G&R has been farming at Kekahasince Kekaha Sugar Company’s demise in 2001. Itis expected that their acreage would drop from about3,000 acres to about 500 acres when the transitionis completed.

The ADC Kekaha Committee approved the terms andconditions of an agreement to be executed betweenADC and the Kekaha Agriculture Association (Coop),which would allow the Coop to manage the commoninfrastructure to include the Kokee and Kekahairrigation ditches, the Mauka and Waiawa hydroelectricplants, the backup generators, wells, main drainageditches and access roads. In exchange, the farmertenants will get a maintenance credit off their rent andkeep most of the revenue from incomegenerating resources.

The Kekaha Committee approved dividing the Kekahaproperty into blocks for licensing to agricultural tenantsconsisting of farmable fields, contributory land andwaste land. A total of approximately 5,000 farmableacres was approved to be licensed to the followingtenants: Pioneer Hi-Bred, Syngenta Seeds, Far WestAg, Wines of Kauai, and G&R. These tenants havebeen farming on the property and involved with the


operation and maintenance of the commoninfrastructure at Kekaha since the sugar plantationclosed in 2001. An appraisal of agricultural rentalrates was performed by an independent appraiser.

Ceatech, an aquaculture tenant in Kekaha with arevocable permit for 433 acres, filed for Chapter 11bankruptcy protection in March 2005. Sunrise Capital,LLC obtained court approval to purchase Ceatech’sassets a few months later and applied for use of thesame land. (The ADC Kekaha Committee approvedthe issuance of a 20-year license to Sunrise Capitalat its July 13, 2005 meeting.)

Waiahole Water System (WWS)As a result of the June 2004 Hawaii Supreme Courtdecision, the Commission on Water ResourceManagement (CWRM) appointed a hearing officer forround two of the Waiahole contested case hearing onremand of the decision. The hearing was conductedin April 2005. Issues requiring reconsiderationinclude: (1) the designation of interim instream flowstandards for windward streams; (2) the 2.2 mgd ofunpermitted water; (3) the practicability of The Estateof James Campbell and Puu Makakilo usingalternative groundwater resources; (4) the actualneeds of ditch water for Field Nos. 115, 116, 145 andof 229 acres in Field No. 146; and (5) ADC’s permit forsystem loss. ADC’s direct involvement in thecontested case was the system’s loss, which wasbrought down from a high of about six million gallons/day (mgd) in 1999 to a low of about two mgd in 2003.Unfortunately we were not able to keep system lossbelow two mgd in 2004 and 2005 due to exceptionallywet weather.

ADC continues to work on improving the system andreducing system loss. One potential source of systemloss is identified as the unlined portion of the ditchsystem, mainly the two reservoirs. Through theDepartment of Agriculture, ADC has been working withthe U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to line the reservoirs.The multi-million dollar project will be funded jointlyby the federal government (65 percent) and the state(35 percent). The design portion of the project hasalready begun. Since public funds cannot be usedon private properties, ADC is working with landownersCampbell Estate and Robinson Estate for the propereasements.

To better monitor system loss, ADC installed twoParshall flumes at the end of the system, aroundReservoir 155, to replace a flow-through water meterthat was undersized for the flow it was handling.

ADC also applied for a competitive Natural ResourcesConservation Service (NRCS) Conservation InnovativeGrant with the purpose of finding innovative methodsto measure and to reduce irrigation water systemlosses.

Approaching ditch maintenance as a public-privatepartnership, ADC approved the use of funds due ADC(about $15,000) from prior year’s water usecommitment shortfall, to improve the ditch system.Some of the projects performed by the water usersincluded the dredging of the by-pass ditch at Reservoir155 and soil erosion control measures taken nearDel Monte fields.

ADC has helped to fund theoperation and maintenanceof East Kauai IrrigationSystem in the Kalepa landsin East Kauai.


ADC is helping to fund repairs to a tea processing stationas part of a Tea Project on the Big Island.

For most of FY 05, central Oahu received more rainfallthen the norm. As a consequence, demand forirrigation water was relatively low when compared tothe previous several years.

East Kauai Irrigation System and Kalepa LandsOnce again as per directed by the legislature, ADCcontributed to the operation and maintenance of theEast Kauai Irrigation System. Unlike previous yearswhen general funds were appropriated for this effort,ADC expended $50,000 from its revolving fund thisfiscal year. The scope of work primarily includedrepairing and maintaining deteriorated ditch sectionsand cutting back overgrowth along the ditch.

ADC was also approached by DLNR to take over theEast Kauai Irrigation System and approximately 7,000acres of state-owned agricultural land in the Kalepaarea. This proposal is a good fit for ADC’s mission ofpreserving agricultural assets for diversifiedagriculture use. The ADC board of directors approvedto take on this project at its February 18, 2005 meeting.When appropriate approvals from the Board ofAgriculture and the Board of Land and NaturalResources are obtained, it is expected that the assetswill be transferred to ADC by an executive order fromthe Governor.

TeaADC has been involved with University of Hawaii’sCollege of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources(CTAHR) on the development of a tea industry on theBig Island for a couple of years. It was determinedthat a very high-quality tea could be grown in certainparts of the state. There seems to be a strong intereston this project by a diverse group of farmers who aresemi-organized.

With support from the community, parts of theremaining funds reserved for the development of anagricultural subdivision in Hamakua was authorizedto be used for this project. The ADC board alsoapproved that $100,000 be allocated to CTAHR forthe upgrade and enlargement of the pilot processingplant at the Mealani Experimental Station, speedingup the availability of tea plant cuttings to farmers,refinement of production processing methods, anddevelopment of quality standards.

Other Activities

ADC continues to work with various entities to includethe County of Kauai, CTAHR, the Kauai Farm Bureau,and Kauai Economic Opportunity, Inc. for thereopening of Kauai’s Tropical Fruit Disinfestationfacility. ADC initiated the request for the release of$150,000 capital improvement fund for the upgrading

and improvement of the facility, which has been idlefor about four years.

Federal funds made available under the USDA Farmand Ranch Land Protection Program (FRLPP) havenot been used by Hawaii landowners in the past dueto the lack of state matching funds. Passage of HouseBill 1308, signed into law by Governor Linda Lingleas the Legacy Lands Act, ensures that a funding sourceis available for this purpose, along with otherpreservation purposes. ADC has been approachedto work with landowners to apply for FRLPP grants forthe preservation of agricultural lands.

ADC, HDOA and CTAHR are collaborators in the$300,000 grant awarded to Pacific Gateway for thetraining of socially disadvantaged farmers.

ADC works with a group known as the Oahu NorthShore Ag Coalition, to promote agriculture and relatedbusinesses on the north shore of Oahu, which hasabout 40,000 acres of former sugar land and anextensive irrigation system. Although the land andirrigation system in the area are not public, ADC’sexpertise with water system management could beof help to the farmers and landowners.

ADC was also approached by a group of farmer/landowners and the Hawaii County to assist with awater resource management project in Kau. There isa thriving agricultural industry in the district which hasmany acres of agricultural land and several irrigationsystems. Some of the former sugar lands in the areahave been converted to macadamia nut andcoffee orchards.

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