Department of Agriculture

NR16-5
May 12, 2016

HONOLULU – The Hilo Plant Quarantine Office of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is moving into new cargo inspection facilities at Hilo International Airport effective May 16, 2016. The new 2,245 square-foot inspection office is located at 95 Akahana St., Room 9, near the Hilo Airport Post Office. The new facilities will be more centralized close to air cargo companies, the U.S. Postal Service and other freight forwarders such as UPS and FedEx.

“This new Hilo inspection facility will help to expedite and enhance agricultural inspections and get products to their final destination in a more timely manner,” said Scott Enright, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “While this additional inspection area had been proposed for years, it was the late Sen. Gil Kahele who championed this project and made it happen. This facility would not be opening next week had it not been for the senator’s strong support of Hawaii Island and Hawaii agriculture.”

The facility will also be where interisland travelers may have their propagative plants (potted plants, cuttings and other restricted items) inspected prior to transport to another island and for plant material being shipped to the U.S. Mainland. It is also the location where animals (other than dogs and cats) will be inspected prior to transport to neighbor islands.

The new facility houses an inspection room, offices for inspectors, laboratory, animal holding room and storage for cargo slated for destruction for invasive plants and pests.

 

The following inspection services will be available at the new facility:

• Export Certification Inspections
• Inter-island Certification Inspections
• Phytosanitary Certificates
• Import Permits
• Scheduling of Inspections, except Certified Nursery Inspections
• Pest Calls
• Information

The administration of the certified nursery program will remain at the Lanikaula Office. The mailing address for the Hilo Plant Quarantine Office will remain as 16 E Lanikaula Ave., Hilo, Hawaii 96720.

The phone numbers for the new cargo inspection facility are:

• Phone Number: (808) 961-9393
• Fax Number: (808) 961-9397

Inspection hours remain the same – Monday through Friday, 7:45 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., except state holidays.

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	New Hilo Plant Quarantine Inspection Facility
	Plant Quarantine inspectors Donn Yanagisawa and Christine Yafuso at the inspection counter
	Plant Quarantine inspectors Donn Kansako (front) and Donn Yanagisawa (back) at inspector work stations