Latest news with #HawaiiDepartmentofAgriculture
USA Today
6 days ago
- General
- USA Today
Hawaii authorities act quickly after alarming discovery of python in man's backyard
Hawaii authorities act quickly after alarming discovery of python in man's backyard Hawaii does not have native snake populations, so any report of a snake on the loose is cause for alarm. That certainly was the case Sunday after a Honolulu-area homeowner spotted a 3-1/2-foot ball python in his backyard. According to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the Kaimuki resident initially mistook the immobile snake as a child's toy. But during the night he saw the toy stretch out and begin to slither, so he dialed 911. Officers with the Honolulu Police arrived and secured the area, and quickly summoned inspectors with the Department of Agriculture. Inspectors captured the 'docile' and nonvenomous reptile, believed to have been someone's freed or escaped pet, with a pair of tongs. Because snakes are highly invasive in Hawaii, and pose substantial threats to endangered bird species, it's illegal to own or possess the reptiles. Violators can be fined up to $200,000 and jailed for up to five years. Ball pythons are native to West and Central Africa. Their name stems from the fact that they often curl into a ball when stressed or threatened. The ball python captured at the Kaimuki residence is being 'safeguarded' at the Department of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine Branch.
Yahoo
19-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Egg prices still high in Hawaii ahead of Easter weekend
JAMM AQUINO / FEB. 5 Hawaii egg prices remained high this month, according to a state report. Trays of eggs are seen here at Eggs Hawaii in Honolulu in February. JAMM AQUINO / FEB. 5 Hawaii egg prices remained high this month, according to a state report. Trays of eggs are seen here at Eggs Hawaii in Honolulu in February. Hawaii egg prices this month are still high, according to the latest state market analysis, while the difference between local and U.S. mainland egg prices continues to narrow. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture revealed mixed results in its latest report in the week leading up to the popular Easter holiday in April, when eggs are in high demand. The benchmark price for conventional, non-organic eggs increased slightly by 0.7 % to $9.58 a dozen compared with $9.51 in March. The price of conventional mainland eggs, meanwhile, declined slightly by 1.5 % to $9.32 a dozen compared with $9.46 the previous month. 'The price range for both local and mainland-sourced eggs narrowed, suggesting more consistent pricing across retailers, ' the report said. In December a dozen local, conventional eggs was priced at $8.87, while mainland eggs were $8.35. The price of locally produced organic eggs, meanwhile, increased 18.8 %, to $12.07 a dozen in the week leading up to the Easter holiday. The price for mainland-imported organic eggs also increased, though more modestly, by 2.6 %, to $9.74 a dozen. 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. 'As a result, the average price differential between locally produced and U.S. imported organic eggs increased to $2.33 per dozen, up from 67 cents previously, ' the report said. Industry analysts have blamed the avian influenza outbreak for the shortage of eggs on the U.S. mainland. To date, no commercial poultry farms in Hawaii have experienced an outbreak of avian influenza. Many retailers continue to limit the number of egg cartons their customers may purchase due to the ongoing shortage. 3 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
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
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 ? .
Yahoo
09-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Hawaii's growing pest crisis, is a stronger plan needed?
PALOLO VALLEY, Hawaii (KHON2) — Coqui frogs, coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants are just some of the invasive species that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has their hands full with in 2025. Download the free KHON2 app for iOS or Android to stay informed on the latest news Some even say a biosecurity chief position is needed. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture said working with the community to combat invasive species will be critical in 2025 since $10 million was approved for 2025. '[Ten million dollars] is more money than the Department of Agriculture has ever had dedicated to biosecurity efforts,' said HDOA chair Sharon Hurd. 'We're going to say, 'We have a statewide plan for public property, but for the private properties in the communities, maybe you guys can help us with this funding and decide what you're going to do for coconut rhinoceros beetles.' More than 900 CRB found in Hawaii's first-of-its-kind hunting tournament Coconut rhinoceros beetles are widespread on Oahu and has also been found on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island. Invasive Species Committees on each county respond to reports, but some legislators hope to cut through red tape by establishing a chief of biosecurity. 'So that it becomes a priority so that someone actually owns the issue and can follow through,' said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz. 'We need a much more tight strategic plan that we know can get implemented.' The manager of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee has some concerns about shifting roles, however. His crew just sprayed for coqui frogs on Feb. 7 in Palolo Valley. 'They're proposing to move it from the DLNR right now to the Department of Agriculture,' Nate Dube said. 'So when anything gets past the ports of entry and starts to establish, that's where Oahu Invasive Species Committee is able to come in and work with residents, work in their backyards.' Mulch mishap spurs corrective action in Oahu beetle battle Field specialists said their on-the-ground work would not be possible without the public and they urged folks to send in reports. 'If you see something, say something. So it's always good to call the pest hotline or contact either. HDOA, OISC whoever is involved, you know, just getting it to the right parties and being able to, you know, report a pest. If you see one,' said HDOA Acting Land Vertebrae Specialist Jessica Miura. Dela Cruz said it is time that there is a position that can be held to account for the continuing spread of invasive species since there are so many city, state and community agencies. 'I mean, it's gotten to the point where we have little fire and we have coconut rhinoceros beetle, we have coqui frog, and the list is continuing to grow,' Dela Cruz said. 'We are hoping for the day that farmers and ranchers can wake up and they can say, 'Okay, what do I farm today,' rather than, 'What invasive species do I have to treat for today?'' Hurd said. Check out more news from around Hawaii to create a biosecurity chief passed the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee on Feb. 6. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
