Department of Agriculture

The State Board of Agriculture, which was established on May 13, 1903 as the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry, then under the Territory of Hawaii, is charged with establishing broad operating policies for the Hawaii Department of Agriculture. The Department is dedicated to the preservation and productive use of agricultural resources so as to assure a healthy and adequate food supply for Hawaii’s people, providing employment, maintaining a favorable balance of trade, and preserving the aesthetic quality of the Islands.

The Board of Agriculture (BOA) is an executive board consisting of ten members – one from each of the counties of Hawaii, Maui and Kauai; three at-large members; the Chairperson of the Department of Agriculture; Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources; Director of the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism; and the Dean of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources – University of Hawaii. The BOA members are appointed by the Governor of Hawaii and confirmed by the State Senate. The Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture is also responsible for the day-to-day operation of the Department of Agriculture.

Besides providing policy direction for the Department, the Board also exercises specific authority in such areas as granting permission for the importation of certain animal and plant species which, by regulation, requires such action.

The Board of Agriculture meetings are open to the public and usually scheduled once a month. They are generally held on the island of Oahu with occasional meetings on the neighbor islands. List of upcoming board agenda and past board actions are available online.