Latest news with #HDOA
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Yahoo
How do illegal animals make their way to Hawaiʻi — and what happens when they're found?
HONOLULU (KHON2) — A Kaimuki man on June 3, and officials with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) safely captured it. After the snake was captured, officials said it was being 'safeguarded' at the Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB). KHON2 spoke with Jonathan Ho, Plant Quarantine Branch Manager with the HDOA, to learn more about what comes next — and how these types of animals make it into Hawaiʻi in the first place. Ho said that, while there are regulations in place to prevent certain plants and animals from coming into Hawaiʻi, other states may not be looking to stop the transportation of those plants and animals because they are not as regulated elsewhere. Illegal 3.5-foot-long snake captured in Kaimuki backyard 'The regulations are designed to help protect the native and the natural resources that the state has,' Ho told KHON2. 'As it relates to plants and other things, they're all subject to inspection upon entry… staff are looking for diseases, whether that be insects, plant pests, frogs, whatever that may be.' When people travel to Hawaiʻi from the mainland, they are required to fill out a form to declare any agricultural items, including plants, animals, soil and more. If any agricultural items are being brought, they are subject to inspection upon arrival. So, how do some animals (like the snake in Kaimuki) get past that inspection? 'It's very easy for somebody to potentially smuggle one in when nobody's really looking for it except a small number of staff in the state,' Ho said. The ball python found in Kaimuki is not the first python that has been captured in Hawaiʻi. As recently as April 2024, a . In February 2021, HDOA inspectors . However, Ho said residents should not be concerned about the snakes, as ball pythons are common pets. He said in these situations, a snake was likely smuggled into the state as a pet before getting lost: 'Snakes are very good escape artists.' If you are concerned about an illegal animal, or if you see one in your area, you are encouraged to call 808-643-PEST (7378), which is the state's toll-free and confidential pest hotline. In Hawaiʻi, it is illegal to bring in or possess invasive bird species, invasive aquatic animals, non-native mammals, wild preadatory mammals, large reptiles and snakes, the HDOA said. For more specific examples of illegal animals, visit the . Being in possession of an illegal animal in Hawaiʻi may lead to a person being charged with a class C felony and being issued a fine of up to $200,000. If you are found to be in possession of an illegal animal, you , the HDOA said. The HDOA encouraged individuals who have illegal animals to turn them in under the , which allows people to voluntarily surrender illegal animals without facing criminal or civil penalties (if the animal is surrendered before an investigation). 'If you can prevent it from becoming established, it's far better than not being able to deal with it in the long run,' Ho said of illegal animals. Animals that are taken into HDOA custody are generally not euthanized. However, there are some circumstances where an animal may be put down — such as in situations where an animal is dangerous, injured or sick. In most other cases, Ho said that animals may be maintained or rehomed locally. The PQB holds on to some animals for demonstration purposes, and other animals may be sent to municipal zoos or shipped to an out-of-state sanctuary or university for research. 'The department puts a lot of effort into that because we want to incentivize people to surrender things as opposed to letting them go,' Ho said. People are advised against releasing illegal animals into the wild. Instead, illegal animals can be dropped off at a local Humane Society, municipal zoo or HDOA office. Anyone with information on illegal animals is asked to call 808-643-PEST (7378), which is the state's toll-free and confidential pest hotline. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Yahoo
Travelers warned to arrive early, not transport ohia during Merrie Monarch
COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. 1 /2 COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. Photo of lei po ʻo (head lei ) not allowed to be transported from Hawaii island. 2 /2 COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. Photo of lei po ʻo (head lei ) not allowed to be transported from Hawaii island. COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. COURTESY HDOA The Hawaii Department of Agriculture is reminding travelers going to the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo that the transport of ohia or any parts of the ohia is not allowed off of Hawaii island. The quarantine restriction is in place to help prevent the spread of rapid ohia death. Photo of lei po ʻo (head lei ) not allowed to be transported from Hawaii island. State officials are advising Merrie Monarch and Easter weekend travelers to arrive early at Hawaii airports statewide. The Hawaii Department of Transportation says thousands of travelers are expected to head to Hilo for the 62nd annual Merrie Monarch Festival and its week of festivities, which begin this Easter Sunday. DOT says additional staffing will be on hand in Hilo for passenger screening, and technicians will be on standby for potential technical problems in preparation for the increased volume of travelers. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture, meanwhile, reminds travelers of quarantine restrictions on the transport of ohia from Hawaii island to prevent the spread of rapid ohia death, a fungal plant disease devastating native forests. The quarantine—in place since 2015—restricts the movement of ohia plants and plant parts, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, cuttings, untreated wood, logs, mulch, green waste and frass (sawdust ) and any soil from Hawaii island. All ohia—even if originally from another island – may not be transported off of Hawaii island. The transport of such items is only allowed with a permit issued by the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. Inspectors will be stationed at the Hilo and Kona airports on April 27 and 28 to collect any ohia material, which will be respectfully returned to the native forests on Hawaii island. Last year, they intercepted 27 lei po ʻo (head lei ). Merrie Monarch Festival events kick off Sunday with a hoolaulea (celebration ) and continue with the Miss Aloha Hula competition Thursday, followed by group kahiko and auana competitions Friday and Saturday nights. DOT offers the following tips for air travelers :—Plan to arrive at the airport at least two hours prior to your scheduled flight departure to allow sufficient time to park, check in and get through security.—Check with your airline on the status of your flight, including any delays, gate assignments and baggage claim area if you are picking up arriving passengers.—Consider catching a ride to the airport, as parking stalls fill up quickly during holidays and special events.—If using airport public parking garages, travelers are advised to arrive early and allow for additional walking time to the ticket lobbies, as some lots are farther from the main terminal than others.—The maximum parking rate for a 24-hour period is $24 for all five of Hawaii's busiest airports. 4 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
18-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Heading to Merrie Monarch? Don't bring this plant on your way back
HONOLULU (KHON2) — As you pack your bags and lei to head to the Merrie Monarch Festival, here's a reminder that rules are in place to restrict the movement of ʻōhiʻa plants from the Big Island. The quarantine rule has been in place since 2015 for ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts such as flowers, leaves, seeds, stems and more due to the risk of fungal plant disease — rapid ʻōhiʻa death. 'Akamai Arrival' takes off: Ag declaration form goes digital The Department of Agriculture said the plant disease is devastating to native forests. Officials added that even the act of harvesting ʻōhiʻa can spread the disease, as the spores can be carried in soil, harvesting tools, shoes, clothing and more. To prevent ʻōhiʻa material from leaving the Big Island, PQB inspectors will be stationed at airports in Hilo and Kona, where it will be collected and returned to the native who are caught attempting to transport the plant may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $10,000. If a second offense is committed, violators can face fines up to $25,000. Questions regarding inspection information can be directed to HDOA's Plant Quarantine offices: Hilo: (808) 961-9393 Kona: (808) 326-1077 Honolulu: (808) 937-8413 Maui: (808) 872-3848 Kauai: (808) 241-7135 Check out more news from around Hawaii For more information on rapid ʻōhiʻa death, visit the HDOA's website or the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii County, state, treating palms for coconut rhino beetles in Kona
COURTESY HDOA Workers conduct coconut rhinoceros beetles treatment on palm trees at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. COURTESY HDOA Workers conduct coconut rhinoceros beetles treatment on palm trees at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport. Invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles have been detected in the Kona area, including near the airport, according to state officials. Hawaii County and the state Department of Agriculture say since January, they have been collaborating on efforts to combat the beetles, which is a serious pest and killer of palm trees. The beetles damage palms by boring into the crowns to feed on sap. Last week, crews completed the latest round of treatments on palms at Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport, where one adult beetle was found in a trap in March. More than 100 trees at airport grounds were treated, and there have so far been no further beetles detected there, officials said. They also treated dozens of trees at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, where two adult beetles were also found in traps in March. 'The staff of the Department of Agriculture remains dedicated to stopping the further spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, with emphasis in areas that are not known to be infested, ' said Sharon Hurd, Hawaii Board of Agriculture chair, in a news release. 'We truly appreciate the concern and assistance of Mayor Kimo Alameda and the county's public works crew in providing the resources to prevent CRB from taking hold on Hawaii Island. We also appreciate all the various agencies and organizations that work tirelessly in the fight against invasive species.' In January, the team treated trees in the Waikoloa area, where was found last fall in a trap during routine monitoring. There have so far been no further detections in Waikoloa. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. All treated trees have been tagged and surrounded with yellow tape, as coconuts from these trees should not be consumed. The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected on Oahu in 2013, and has since been found in many neighborhoods on the island as well as on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii island. Officials ask residents to be vigilant when purchasing mulch, compost and soil products, and to inspect bags for evidence of entry holes. An adult beetle is all black, about 2-inches long, with a single horn on its head. The grubs live in decomposing plant and animal waste. Visit the CRB Response website at to learn more. Residents can also report possible CRB infestation by calling the state's toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378 ). Questions regarding pesticide use may be addressed to HDOA's Pesticides Branch at 808-973-9402. 1 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Egg prices in Honolulu continue to rise, state report says
JAMM AQUINO / FEB. 5 Waikele resident Janelle Mayeshiro, left, and Kalihi resident Angelino Cariaga carry their purchased eggs from Eggs Hawaii in Honolulu in February. JAMM AQUINO / FEB. 5 Waikele resident Janelle Mayeshiro, left, and Kalihi resident Angelino Cariaga carry their purchased eggs from Eggs Hawaii in Honolulu in February. Honolulu egg prices continued to rise in March, according to the latest market analysis report from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. HDOA said the benchmark price for a dozen large, locally produced eggs rose by 20 % to $9.51 during the first quarter of this year, while the price of a dozen U.S. mainland eggs rose by 30 % to $9.46. The average price differential between local and mainland eggs narrowed further from 66 cents to a marginal 5 cents a dozen, according to report, which noted the selection of brands available to consumers in Hawaii has become more limited due to an egg shortage on the mainland U.S. 'Hawaii still pays significantly higher prices than the rest of the U.S., which averages at $4.90 per dozen, ' department officials said Monday in a news release. 'The increase in the price of mainland eggs can be mainly attributed to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI ) which has impacted egg production across the continental U.S.' The price of organic eggs increased by just 4.2 %, considerably lower than the rise of conventional egg prices during the first quarter of 2025. In the Honolulu retail market, the price of a dozen local eggs ranged from $6.49 to $11.79, while the price of a dozen mainland U.S. eggs ranged from $6.49 to $10.99 the first quarter of this year. Don 't miss out on what 's happening ! Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE ! Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA. A dozen local, organic eggs ranged between about $8 to $12 while a dozen, organic, mainland U.S. eggs ranged from about $9.50 to $10. 'While the increasing price of all eggs is a concern for everyone, it is good to see that local eggs are able to be very competitive in the marketplace, ' said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture, in the release. 'Of course, the added benefit of locally produced eggs is that they are fresher and we hope that everyone will choose local when available and support our local producers.' Hawaii became the last U.S. state to detect the H5N1 virus or HPAI, in a backyard flock of birds in November. The first avian influenza outbreak was confirmed mid-November in a flock of rescued ducks and geese at Susie's Duck Sanctuary in Wahiawa. That same month, avian influenza was also confirmed in a wild duck from the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge on Oahu's North Shore. But HPAI has not, to date, been detected in any commercial poultry or egg production facilities in the state, HDOA said. HDOA continues to work with Hawaii's poultry industry to keep from infecting local flocks. 41 Comments By participating in online discussions you acknowledge that you have agreed to the. An insightful discussion of ideas and viewpoints is encouraged, but comments must be civil and in good taste, with no personal attacks. If your comments are inappropriate, you may be banned from posting. Report comments if you believe they do not follow our. Having trouble with comments ? .
