2013 News Releases

June 26, 2013 Governor Signs Measures in Support of Agriculture HONOLULU – Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed seven bills related to agriculture, a central component of the state’s economic and environmental sustainability. “Part of Hawaii’s history and way of life, our agriculture industry keeps money in the local economy and supports thriving rural communities,” Gov. ...
Read More Governor Signs Measures in Support of Agriculture

NEWS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 17, 2013 HONOLULU – In conjunction with “Hawaii Pollinator Week,” which recognizes the role of honeybees and other primary pollinators as essential to many agricultural and horticultural operations, Gov. Neil Abercrombie today signed Senate Bill 482 into law to ensure the continued viability of honeybee operations in the state. ...
Read More Governor Signs Bill Vital to Hawaii’s Honeybee Industry

May 24, 2013 NR13-08 HONOLULU –  Military personnel at Hickam Air Force Base captured a small snake yesterday afternoon in a maintenance bay near the airfield.  Inspectors from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture were called and took custody of the foot-long snake. The snake was later identified as a juvenile ornate tree snake (Chrysopelea ornate) ...
Read More Snake Found on Hickam Air Force Base

May 21, 2013 – NR13-07 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s Animal Industry Division today issued a quarantine order that requires testing of all beef and dairy bulls for Bovine Trichomoniasis prior to entry into the state and before movement between herds within the state. Bovine Trichomoniasis (Trichomoniasis) is a serious contagious reproductive disease ...
Read More State Quarantine Issued on Movement of Bulls

Public Invited to Sew Lei for Veterans’ Cemeteries HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is inviting the public, from keiki to kupuna, to come and sew locally grown flowers to honor those interred at the National Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl and the State Veterans’ Cemetery in Kaneohe. HDOA’s Plant Quarantine Branch ...
Read More HDOA Highlights Local Flowers to Honor Veterans on Memorial Day

March 21, 2013 NR13-05 HONOLULU – Maui ranchers joined entomologists from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) at Haleakala Ranch this afternoon to release a biological control insect that will help to control the invasive fireweed which is highly toxic to cattle and horses. More than 13 years of research preceded today’s release of the ...
Read More Biocontrol Moths Released on Maui to Fight Invasive Fireweed

NR13-03March 11, 2013  HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is currently accepting applications for a new round of organic certification cost-share assistance to organic farmers and organic livestock operators. Renewed federal funding totaling up to $65,000 has been allotted to help Hawaii organic farmers with the cost of organic certification through a cooperative ...
Read More Funding Renewed for Organic Cost-Share Program

NR13-04 March 11, 2013 HONOLULU – The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) will hold an informational meeting on Maui to present plans for the release of a natural enemy of the fireweed, a plant that is toxic to most livestock and which has infested hundreds of thousands of acres of Maui pasture land. The meeting ...
Read More Informational Meeting Scheduled on Maui on Biocontrol for Fireweed

Feb 28, 2013 Events Begin with Governor’s Proclamation at the Capitol HONOLULU—For the first time, the State of Hawaii will participate in National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW), observed from March 4 to 10. Gov. Neil Abercrombie will kick off “Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Week” (HISAW) with a proclamation on March 4 at 10 a.m. ...
Read More Hawaii Joins the Nation in Recognizing Invasive Species Awareness Week

Feb. 20, 2013 NR13-02  BIOCONTROL MOTHS RELEASED TO FIGHT INVASIVE FIREWEED Hawaii Ranchers Assist in Release HONOLULU – After more than 13 years of rigorous research, Hawaii ranchers today joined Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) entomologists at Kahua Ranch on Hawaii Island to release approximately 1,000 Madagascan fireweed moths, Secusio extensa (Arctiidae), which represent the ...
Read More Biocontrol Moth Released to Fight Invasive Fireweed