Plant Industry Division

First Class Mail has been a major pathway for the movement of pests into Hawaii. From about 1978, Federal laws prevented the inspection of agricultural commodities if shipped by First Class Mail. However, as of 1995, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s (HDOA) Plant Quarantine Branch now has the ability to inspect first-class and priority mail packages which are identified as containing plants or plant products.

This program is seen as a major breakthrough and will strengthen the HDOA’s inspection programs to prevent the introduction of harmful insects, plant diseases, illegal animals and other pests into the State.