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HDOA E-News: April 19, 2006
Aloha!
If there is any event that proves how challenging the business of farming can be, it has to be the weather events of the past two months. The extended period of heavy rains have wreaked havoc for residents and particularly farmers across the state. The tragedy at Kaloko Reservoir on Kauai has also placed intense focus on agricultural reservoirs, their current uses and present conditions.
Governor Linda Lingle issued disaster declarations dating from February 20, releasing state emergency funds. The Governor has also sent a request to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Johanns requesting federal agricultural assistance. On numerous occasions, HDOA Deputy Duane Okamoto and I have surveyed damage on Kauai and Oahu and spoke with farmers to determine immediate needs and concerns. HDOA’s Agricultural Loan Division staffed Disaster Assistance and Relief Centers on Kauai and Oahu and have been in contact with dozens of farmers who are applying for low-interest emergency loans.
Currently, the major concern is the unsafe conditions at the Kailua Reservoir in Waimanalo, Oahu. The reservoir is normally empty as it was replaced by the Waimanalo Reservoir in 1993. The heavy rains had created a sinkhole on the crest of the dam that compromised the integrity of the reservoir. In addition, the heavy rains caused it to fill faster than it could drain, creating a potentially dangerous situation. HDOA Agricultural Resource Management Division has been working extensively with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of Land and Natural Resources, State and County Civil Defense. We also appreciate the assistance of Adjutant General Robert Lee and the Hawaii National Guard that is currently conducting working at the reservoir to make it safe for residents downstream by ensuring that water will not collect in the reservoir.
I’d like to take this opportunity to commend everyone involved in the flood-response efforts for their dedication to the welfare of the general public on all islands.
Please do not hesitate to contact me at (808) 973-9550 should you have any questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Sandra Lee Kunimoto
Chairperson, Board of Agriculture
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FLOOD NEWS
Emergency Agricultural Loans
The Agricultural Loan Division, headed by Administrator Dean Matsukawa, has been busy meeting with dozens of farmers who have applied and are thinking of applying for low-interest emergency loans due to damage caused by the period of heavy rains beginning on February 20 and extending thru April. HDOA emergency loans are available up to $250,000 at three percent interest.
The division is currently processing about 17 loans, most of which are loans of $25,000 or less and can be approved by the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture. However, loan applicants have indicated that they may require additional loan assistance as they fully assess production losses. Emergency loans for amounts greater than $25,000 must be approved by the members of the Board of Agriculture.
For more information about the emergency loan program, contact Dean Matsukawa at 973-9460 or visit the department’s website at: /hdoa/agl/agl_qfarm
Kailua Reservoir
Remedial work is continuing at the Kailua Reservoir in Waimanalo, Oahu, after a sinkhole developed on the crest of the dam. This week, about 30 Hawaii National Guard troops worked at the reservoir, removing a large tree that fell into the sinkhole and removed debris from other areas of the reservoir.
Engineers are now planning the removal of a portion of the dam so that the reservoir does not retain rainwater. The department has also been working closely with Oahu and State Civil Defense and the USDA – Natural Resource Conservation Service and other federal, state and county agencies on this matter.
The Kailua Reservoir was built in the 1930s as an agricultural reservoir. It was decommissioned in 1993.
Agribusiness Development Corporation (ADC)
On west Kauai, ADC worked very closely with the farmer tenants and contractors during the recent heavy rains to protect Kekaha town, the Pacific Missile Range Facility and the Mana plain farm lands from flooding. Thanks to their efforts, there was no major property damage reported.
Except for some service roads on the windward side of Oahu, the Waiahole Water System suffered no major damages. Similarly, no major issues were reported by users of the East Kauai irrigation system and the Kau water systems on Hawaii.
ADC is working with other government agencies and the farmers/landowners to assess and monitor the various reservoirs under ADC’s jurisdiction.
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Natural Product Expo West
HDOA’s Market Development Branch and the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism co-hosted a Hawaii pavilion at the Natural Product Expo West, the nation’s largest natural, organic and healthy products trade show, in late March in Anaheim, CA.
More than 43,000 attendees visited more than 3,000 exhibits.
Hawaii companies participating included:
· Alembic International – Organic ginger root, Noni juice sampling
· Big Island Processing – Noni juice sampling
· Kona Deep Sea Water – Desalinated deep seawater sampling
· Hawaii Taro Company – Taro burger sampling
· Hawaiian Natural Tea – Organic tea sampling
· Kamauoha Farms – Noni juice
· Kona Blue Water Farms – Kona kampachi sampling cooked and fresh
· Kona Coffee Council – Kona coffee sampling
· Koyo USA Corporation – Desalinated ocean water sampling
· Liko Lehua Products – Gourmet fruit spreads & sauces sampling
· Maui Excellent – Therapeutic bodycare & massage products samples
· Volcano Island Honey - Honey & drink sampling
The State (HDOA & DBEDT) has reserved 14 booths for next year’s Natural Product Expo West which will be held March 8-11, 2007 in Anaheim, California. Invitations to participate will be coming soon. For more information, check out the website at: http://www.expowest.com
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HDOA APPLIES FOR HOMELAND SECURITY GRANT TO IMPROVE PORT INSPECTIONS
HDOA submitted a $2 million grant application to help fund a Plant Quarantine initiative to lay the groundwork for the construction of a multi-agency plant inspection facility at Honolulu International Airport. The grant application also included an initiative to integrate communication and data management between HDOA PQ, USDA-APHIS and U.S. Customs and Border Protection – the three agencies that are responsible for inspection of inbound plant material.
The application was submitted to State Civil Defense, which will forward it to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for consideration along with other preparedness initiatives for the State of Hawaii. A funding decision by DHS is expected in June 2006.
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KONA, Maui & KAUAI RISK ASSESSMENTS
Plant Quarantine inspectors completed two-week risk assessments in Kona and Maui and are currently on Kauai. Inspectors from offices statewide are participating in the risk assessments, with some working 16 to 19-hour days. The long hours are devoted to gathering data necessary to accomplish the goal of monitoring 100 percent of inbound aircraft, passengers, baggage and agricultural commodities. As time permitted, interisland shipments and certified nursery surveys were also conducted.
The Kona Risk Assessment team stopped the interisland transport of watercress due to a heavy infestation of caterpillars. The caterpillars were identified as the diamondback moth, a notable pest of watercress.
After conducting the Kona Risk Assessment, inspectors began a risk assessment on Maui at the Kahului Airport on March 26. In addition to increased inspections at the airport, the team of inspectors are also conducting increased maritime inspections, surveys for little fire ant at Kahului Airport and Harbor and nettle caterpillar surveys at Maui nurseries that import plants from the Big Island.
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HIGHLIGHTS IN COMBATING ESTABLISHED PESTS BY ISLAND
(The following is a sampling of recent activities by the Plant Industry Division, Plant Pest Control Branch and Pesticides Branch)
Big Island
· Hilo noxious weed specialist surveyed a property in Kaumana for gorse plants. Two gorse plants were found and treated. Gorse on the property was reported to HDOA several years ago by a hunter. Continued visits to the site over the years has reduced the number from the original 30 – 40 plants. Surveys were also conducted along Saddle Road for gorse and none where found in the survey area.
Staff have purchased 25-gallon portable sprayers with County of Hawaii funds for use on small scale coqui control efforts. The sprayers, mounted with two wheels, are miniature versions of the current 100-gallon sprayers but with the same pump and engine specs and can be moved like a hand cart.
· Hilo staff continued surveying a Kona protea nursery for a scale that is not known to be established on the Big Island. The nursery was one of several across the state that received young protea plants from Maui where the scale is known to be established.
Oahu
· Oahu insectary staff visited several nurseries and sites on Windward Oahu to survey for papaya mealybug.
· Plant Pest Control staff treated long thorn kiawe plants near the shoreline at Sand Island boat ramp to prevent the seed pods from entering the water. Some of the plants have required repeated treatment as resprouting has occurred.
· Plant Pest Control staff resurveyed the Castle Junction hillside for fireweed and did not find any. However, they did find and remove turkeyberry plants from the site.
· Plant Pest Control personnel heard the call of a coqui frog at the Central Oahu Regional Park near Waipio Gentry. The park is maintained by the City & County of Honolulu, which had contracted work out to a local landscape contractor, who had recently planted a hala tree and other plants. Follow-up visits with members of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee captured two coqui frogs in the hala tree. The area was also sprayed with citric acid and will continue to be monitored.
· Plant Industry staff will be stepping up surveillance efforts for little fire ants (LFA) at Oahu nurseries using peanut butter bait sticks and other methods. Surveillance for LFA is particularly important to the nursery industry and HDOA enlists the cooperation and assistance in this effort. If nurseries suspect LFA infestation anywhere in Hawaii, it is imperative that contact HDOA as soon as possible.
Kauai
· Kauai Plant Pest Control (PPC) personnel continued control efforts against banana bunchy top disease in Kalepa, Hanamaulu and in Lawai and treated 28 mats and inspected over 200 mats.
· PPC staff controlled patches of giant reed, Arundo donax, near the Old Kekaha Mill in an irrigation ditch. The giant reed spreads by underground rhizomes. They also surveyed the Kekaha landfill for fireweed but found none and continued control work in Kekaha for long thorn kiawe.
· PPC staff and Kauai Invasive Species Committee staff removed more than 150 long thorn kiawe plants and seedlings from an area in Kekaha. The crews also treated 127 long thorn kiawe trees in Kekaha’s Mana Drag Strip. They also treated seedlings that sprouted at the Pacific Missile Range Facility due to the heavy rains.
·PPC staff also checked a large home improvement store and found seed packages with label violations under the Hawaii Seed Law and Rules, Chapters 150 and 4-67. The packages were to be removed from sale. In the nursery area, staff checked for any noxious weed species being sold and found none.
Maui
· Maui Plant Pest Control staff followed up on a coqui report from a Kihei resident who reported two calling frogs. Staff was not able to locate or capture the frogs and the citric acid label was given to the resident. Staff returned to the home after several days and heard the frogs still calling even after the resident sprayed with citric acid. Further monitoring will follow.
· Oahu and Maui staff sprayed 10 gallons of specially prepared inoculum of a biological control fungal pathogen on invasive banana poka vines in the upcountry Kula area. The seven-year drought on Maui had diminished the impact of several pathogenic biocontrol agents that had been previously released. This project is a collaborative effort with DLNR-DOFAW on Maui.
· Maui staff conducted a survey for avocado thrips in Kula. Scarring on the fruit that has been reported are consistent with those described in California. Specimens have been submitted for identification.
· Oahu insectary staff traveled to Maui in early March to conduct an island-wide survey for glassywinged sharpshooter, papaya mealybug (PM) and red imported fire ants. Small pockets of PM infestations were found on hibiscus and plumeria. Maui staff report that, while PM is widespread on Maui, it is not as abundant as it was before. It appears that a parasitoid has apparently been keeping this pest in check.
· Maui staff visited one retail seed distributor in Lahaina and had the store remove 127 vegetable seed packages because of expired labeling.
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Preventing New Introductions of Pests
Seed Lab
Oahu Noxious Weed Specialists inspected a retail outlet on a military base and removed 37 bags of seeds, totaling 85 lbs. due to labeling violations under the Hawaii Seed Law and Rules, Chapters 150 and 4-67. The products were removed due to expired germination test dates and lack of labels.
Oahu noxious weed specialists inspected a retail outlet and removed eight packages of butterfly weed seeds, which are prohibited from sale under Hawaii Seed Rules.
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Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors
(The following is a sampling of recent interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors)
January 19 – Hilo inspectors used peanut butter bait sticks to detect little fire ants on a shipment of foxtail palm from a Puna nursery that was destined for Maui. The shipment was rejected. Inspectors also rejected 30 Phoenix palm plants from the same nursery that was being shipped to Oahu after the shipment was found to be infested with nettle caterpillar.
January 25 – Hilo inspectors detected little fire ants on a shipment of 62 foxtail palms from a nursery in Paradise Park that was destined for Maui. The shipment was rejected.
February 22 – the Kona Risk Assessment Team intercepted and destroyed a carton of arugula that was found to be infested with a fungal pathogen that is not known to occur in Hawaii.
February 25, eleven packets of microbial products (Root Boost) were removed and destroyed from eleven cartons of bareroot rose plants from Jackson and Perkins to eleven private individuals via U.S. Postal Service by Honolulu Inspectors.
March 4 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed seven cases (210 lbs.) of yellow bell peppers that were heavily infested with diptera pupae and also a separate shipment of 10 cases (100 lbs.) of California strawberries that were infested with a strawberry aphid not known to occur in Hawaii. Both shipments were on a United Airlines flight from Los Angeles.
March 7 – Hilo inspectors detected live snails in a FedEx shipment of 17 orchid plants from Florida. The shipment was refused entry and returned to its origin.
March 8 – Kona inspectors treated and destroyed four cartons of organic pineapples arriving on United Airlines from Los Angeles due to restrictions on importing pineapple.
March 17 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed 10 cases (80 lbs.) of strawberries due to strawberry aphids which arrived on a United Airlines from Los Angeles.
March 20 – Oahu inspectors returned to the shipper one container (960 cartons) of bananas due to infestation of a mealybug that is not known to occur in Hawaii. The bananas arrived via Matson container from Los Angeles.
March 21 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed one box containing 10 bunches of protea flowers due to heavy scale infestation. The flowers were brought in by a Maui flower shop via American TransAIr from San Francisco. Another shipment of asters was also destroyed due to heavy powdery mildew infection brought in by a Maui flower wholesaler via United Airlines from Los Angeles.
March 22 – Oahu inspectors confiscated and destroyed two cartons of red leaf lettuce due to heavy infestation of thrips and aphids. The shipment was brought in by an organic market via American Airlines from Los Angeles.
March 23 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed 50 cases (400 lbs.) of strawberries infested with a strawberry aphid not known to occur in Hawaii. The shipment was brought in by a Maui produce company via United Airlines from Los Angeles. Kona inspectors also confiscated and destroyed four flats of strawberries destined for a hotel that arrived via United Airlines from San Francisco.
March 27 – Hilo inspectors confiscated and destroyed three pounds of lemongrass because it is prohibited under Hawaii Administrative Rules. The lemongrass was brought in by a natural food store via United Airlines from San Francisco.
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ANIMAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE
(The following is a sampling of activities by the Animal Industry’s Livestock Disease Control Branch)
Foreign Animal Disease Response Course
HDOA co-hosted a one-day Foreign Animal Disease Response Course on Oahu and on the Big Island for government officials who would respond to outbreaks of Foreign Animal Diseases (FAD). This eight-hour course is designed to provide FAD response awareness information, with an emphasis on livestock and in particular foot and mouth disease. The course is being co-hosted by the Hawaii State Civil Defense, the University of Nevada at Las Vegas and UH-CTAHR.
Molokai Bovine Tuberculosis Update
The Animal Industry Division has received test results from three feral swine in two months that initial tests are consistent with bovine tuberculosis. Confirmatory tests are being conducted at the National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL). All samples have come from the Mapulehu area. There are no cattle herds on the premises where the pigs were caught. All cattle herds on the east end of the island are tested annually for bovine tuberculosis by either HDOA or USDA veterinarians. In response to the findings, two additional pig traps are being moved into the area and mongoose trapping will also be stepped up in an effort to conduct more surveillance and potentially reduce the feral swine population in the vicinity.
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AQUACULTURE DEVELOPMENT
The Aquaculture Development Program set up a table top display to promote Hawaii's aquaculture industry at the "Economic Opportunities for Chinese Investors" seminar at the Hilton Hawaiian Village on
April 3, 2006. The seminar was held in conjunction with Chinese Vice Premier Wu Yi's visit to Hawaii en route to Washington, D.C. to attend trade talks with United States officials. A Chinese delegation, made up of about 150 Chinese officials and business leaders, discussed international investment and tourism issues with about 120 local business leaders at the meeting. Hawaii aquaculture products, including broodstock shrimp, abalone and microalgae, gathered the interest from the Chinese delegates. It is hoped that this interest will bolster export opportunities with this emerging export market.
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MARKETING & STATISTICS
(The following is a sampling of recent activities in the Agricultural Development Division)
Honey Farm Gate Value Sets a New State Record High
Hawaii Agricultural Statistics recently released its Bee and Honey Survey results. Rains fell every month during 2005 and provided a steady nutrient source for bees in most areas. Favorable weather conditions resulted in higher honey yields and production when compared to 2004 levels. Weather patterns, during the year, limited prolonged dry periods and shorted excessively wet weather timelines. Higher bee activity boosted honey production. This increase produced a new State record for honey farm gate value.
2005 Survey Highlights
* Number of colonies, 9,000 up 1,000 from previous year
* Honey Production: 1,179,000 pounds, up 411,000
* Honey Price per Pound: $1.34, $0.25 below the state record
* Farm Value: $1,580,000, up $359,000, a new state record
Complete results all surveys conducted by the Hawaii Agricultural Statistics office may be found at: http://www.nass.usda.gov/Statistics_by_State/Hawaii/index.asp
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WORKSHOPS AND CONFERENCES
Workshops to be held on Proper Use of Hydrated Lime for Coqui Control
A workshop was held in Kona and another session is scheduled for Honokaa on the proper use of hydrated lime for coqui control efforts. The Coqui Frog Working Group, in partnership with the County of Hawaii, HDOA, UH-CTAHR, USDA and the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board (HIEDB) will provide sprayer demonstrations and information on coqui life cycles, strategies for control, chemical safety, spraying techniques and large capacity sprayer training and community resources. The next session is scheduled for:
Honokaa
Tuesday, May 9
6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
Honokaa Gym, Multi-Purpose Room
The class is free, but reservations are required. Attendees will receive a voucher for one free 50 lb. bag of hydrated lime from the HIEDB’s Coqui Project. For reservations please call Howard Lontoc, County of Hawaii-Coqui Eradication & Control Coordinator at 961-8066.
HIEDB Assisting Nurseries with Matching Funds to pay for Hydrated Lime
A new program by the Hawaii Island Economic Development Board is providing matching funds for island nurseries purchasing hydrated lime for coqui control. For each bag of hydrated lime that a nursery purchases, HIEDB will match that amount with free 50-lb. bags of hydrated lime, up to 10 bags per nursery. The program runs from April 10 – May 10, 2006. Nurseries must provide receipts for proof of purchase and are required to track where they spray and the results achieved. Nurseries with valid Hawaii General Excise Tax Licenses are eligible for the program. To request hydrated lime vouchers, contact Andrea Dean, Project Manager for HIEDB Coqui Project at 889-5806 or e-mail at: andrea@hiedb.org
HDOA Sponsors Landscape Industry Profitability Workshop
The Green Industry Conference will be held at the Waikiki Beach Marriott Resort and Spa, the third week of April 2006. Organizers of the conference have Hawaii's small-landscape businesses in mind. Profitability, efficiency, and performance based management are the necessary ingredients of successful businesses and a successful state economy. HDOA, through its matching marketing grant, is sponsoring the strategic planning workshop that will provide profitability strategies to Hawaii's Landscape Industry contractors. For more information visit the Landscape Industry of Hawaii (LICH) website at www.lichawaii.com or www.strategicplanningforcontractors.com
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FARMER ASSISTANCE
AGR-Lite Farm Revenue Insurance Product
The Agricultural Development Division and its industry partners have submitted an application to expand the AGR-Lite farm revenue insurance product to Hawaii. This program provides whole-farm revenue protection against market fluctuations as well as natural disasters such as drought or flood. This application process was coordinated by the Western Center for Risk Management Education (WCRME) and submitted as part of package of applications from 13 states (AZ, CO, HI, KS, MT, NM, NV, UT, WY, AL, GA, FL & SC).
About 95 percent of farms in Hawaii will qualify for this product and this insurance product will be particularly beneficial to our small and medium producers. Industry partners in this application effort include the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR), the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF), the County of Hawaii’s Department of Research and Development, the Hawaii Florists and Shippers Association (HFSA), the Kona Pacific Farmers Cooperative (KPFC) and the Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS). Stay tuned to HDOA E-News for updates on the state’s application for this valuable program. For more information, please go to the website at: http://www.nyfarmersmarket.com/agrlite.html
USDA National Organic Certification Cost-Share Program
The Market Development Branch is administering this USDA program to reimburse organic producers and handlers 75 percent of their certification cost (up to a maximum of $500). This is an important step in encouraging increased organic production in Hawaii. In view of the increasing demand for organic produce nationwide, these producers have the potential to create an important source of revenue for the state. As of April 1, 2006, nearly 80 applications have been processed. This represents a reimbursement of nearly $24,000 in certification fees that will be returned to organic producers and handlers.
Applications are available for download from our website at: /hdoa/add/add_md/add_md
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EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES
· Hilo Pesticides staff conducted a 2 ½ hour workshop to about 100 individuals in Hilo on the proper use of hydrated lime to control coqui frog infestations. A similar workshop is scheduled for Kona.
· Hilo staff gave presentations to two groups about plant pests, including students from Hawaii Community College. Staff also teamed with staff from CTAHR’s Beaumont Research Station for the presentation to the Master Gardeners Program of the UH-CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service.
· Plant Quarantine staff conducted a presentation and tour for 70 second grade students from Momilani Elementary School. Staff also made a presentation to 25 individuals at the Senior Companion Program office.