HDOA E-News: October 4, 2006
Aloha! Welcome to another edition of the HDOA E-News.
Agricultural labor continues to be in the forefront of concerns across the state for the full range of ag operations from large corporate plantations to small family farms. Following the workshops put on in July and August on the H2A Visa Seasonal Ag Worker program and the Migrant and Seasonal Ag Worker Protection Act, we’ve initiated a pilot program to bring together agricultural employers with Micronesians, who can freely enter the US under the Compact of Free Association.
There are reportedly 20,000 Micronesians already in Hawaii, many of whom need work. To address immediate needs, a pilot networking session was held on September 28 in Honolulu with ag employers and leaders from the Micronesian community. HDOA’s partners in this project are the Department of Labor and Industrial Relations (DLIR), the Micronesian Community Network (MCN) and the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. Information on the type of work available, expectations, and culture was shared. Next we’ll work out the means to match job opportunities and potential workers. Also, appropriate groups on each island will be identified so that the program can be implemented statewide.
In September, I met with the US Ambassador to Micronesia, Suzanne Hale, and the Micronesian Secretary of Health, Education and Social Affairs, Nena S. Nena. The Secretary expressed great interest in developing vocational educational programs for potential jobs in Hawaii, including agricultural jobs. He also felt that they needed to provide “life skills and workplace practices” training for Micronesians contemplating entering the workforce in Hawaii. This will be a longer term initiative to address both the need for ag workers in Hawaii and the need of Micronesians to have good employment. We’ll keep you informed as these programs develop.
Sincerely,
Sandra Lee Kunimoto
Chairperson, Board of Agriculture
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PLANT BIOSECURITY EXERCISE HELD FOR HAWAII & GUAM
A three-week plant biosecurity response exercise was conducted during September to test standard operating procedures in case of an emergency situation in Hawaii and Guam. The exercise was coordinated by the Western Plant Diagnostic Network and involved a total of about 50 people from different agencies, including the University of Hawaii – College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (UH-CTAHR), USDA – Animal and Plant Health Inspection Services, Plant Protection & Quarantine (USDA-APHIS-PPQ) in Hawaii and the mainland, the University of Guam, Guam Department of Agriculture and HDOA.
The exercise scenario involved a newly discovered insect (glassywinged sharpshooter) and a hypothetical introduction of a disease (oleander leaf scorch) in Hawaii and in Guam. The goal of the exercise was to practice the standard operating procedures so that all participants understand their own responsibilities as well as those of others in the network. The drill also identified problems and concerns that would arise if a true plant emergency were to arise.
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ANIMAL DISEASE SURVEILLANCE
HDOA’s Animal Industry Division received word from USDA that $30,000 grant funds will be made available for the period September thru December 2006 for bovine tuberculosis control work on Molokai. The plan for the grant is to enhance surveillance for bovine tuberculosis on the east end of Molokai where infected feral swine continue to be found. Additional funds are anticipated from USDA in January 2007 that may include funds to do even more intensive control efforts including fencing off the affected area. Beef herds in the area continue to test for bovine tuberculosis on an annual basis to insure new herds are not infected.
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PUBLIC HEARINGS FOR PESTICIDES RULE CHANGES
Public hearings have been scheduled on proposed rule changes to the Administrative Rules on Pesticides on the following dates:
Oahu - October 10 (Tues.) - 7:00 p.m. - HDOA Boardroom 1428 S. King Street, Honolulu
Kauai – October 11 (Wed.) – 9:00 a.m. – Kauai HDOA office, 4398A Pua Loke St., Lihue
Maui – October 11 (Wed.) – 7:00 p.m. – Maui HDOA office, 635 Mua St., Kahului
Kona – October 12 (Thurs.) – 10:00 a.m. – Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaii, 73-4460 Queen Kaahumanu Highway, Kailua-Kona
Hilo – October 12 (Thurs.) – 7:00 p.m. – Hilo HDOA office, 16 E Lanikaula St.
The proposed changes eliminate rules that are no longer necessary or applicable and better ensure the safe and effective use of pesticides while minimizing unreasonable adverse effects on the environment. The proposed amendments also address the functional areas of pesticide licensing and classification for restricted use or monitored use pesticides, including fee increases for registration, licenses, examination and certification.
To view the entire proposed rule changes, go to: /hdoa/pi/pest
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AG LOAN APPROVES EMERGENCY LOANS OF MORE THAN $1.6 MILLION
HDOA’s Agricultural Loan Division has processed 44 approved emergency agricultural loans, amounting to $1,644,200. Individual emergency loan amounts approved range from $2,700 to $250,000 and stem from damage caused by the heavy rains in the Spring.
The Hawaii Board of Agriculture approved the latest two emergency loans at the September meeting:
Volcano Island Honey Company, LLC - $50,000
Mountain View Dairy, Inc. - $400,000 participating emergency operating loan with Hawaii National Bank ($250,000 – State portion)
So far, there have been 63 emergency loan applications. Besides the 44 that have been approved, one is pending approval, six are in progress, two referred to federal agencies, two denied and eight were withdrawn.
For more information on agricultural loans, go to the department’s website at: /hdoa/agl/agl
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ADC TO STUDY WAHIAWA IRRIGATION SYSTEM
The Agribusiness Development Corporation’s Board of Directors voted at its September meeting to hire a consultant to conduct a study on the Wahiawa Irrigation System, including Lake Wilson (Wahiawa Reservoir) and the dam area. Included in the study will be an engineering evaluation of the dam structure, an assessment of the agricultural economic potential of the system and evaluation of legal issues related to the reservoir and irrigation system.
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NEW BOARD MEMBERS FOR ADC
Governor Linda Lingle has appointed David Rietow and Duane Lau to serve on the Board of Directors of the Agribusiness Development Corporation. They attended their first meeting at the end of September.
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IRRIGATION SYSTEMS
(Updates from the Agricultural Resource Management Division)
Lower Hamakua Irrigation Ditch Work Continues
Water Resource Associates (WRA) has been awarded a Contract for Professional Services for the Lower Hamakua Ditch Watershed – Waipio Valley Tunnel Study. Accumulated sediment is limiting flow through the tunnel which feeds irrigation water to farmers in the district. The cost for this project is $57,900 in which WRA will conduct a sediment survey, and develop a report on the conditions of the tunnel. The project is scheduled to be completed by the end of the year and recommendations provided will be implemented to mitigate sediment in the tunnel.
Waimea Irrigation System Improvements
KAI Hawaii, Inc. has been awarded a Contract for Professional Services for the Waimea Irrigation System Improvements, Flume Replacement project. This project will develop design plans and specifications to demolish and replace a deteriorated redwood flume approximately ninety linear feet long. The design will also include improvements to the structures abutments and piers, and a new pedestrian “catwalk” for maintenance purposes. The cost for this project is $49,724. An October 2, 2006 “Notice to Proceed” has been issued and the final design package should be completed by June of next year.
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MARKETING
Seals of Quality Program Showcased at Two Conferences
HDOA showcased the Seals of Quality Program (SOQ) recently at two high profile events. The SOQ was the only display authorized to participate at this year’s Hawaii Tourism Authority’s 2006 Tourism Conference at the Hawaii Convention Center on September 12, 2006. All twelve founding members, as well as new addition, Hamakua Macadamia Nut Company, proudly exhibited their Hawaii-grown and Hawaii-made products at this year’s tourism conference of top experts and executives in the travel industry.
The following week, on September 18th, SOQ was invited back to the Hawaii Convention Center to participate at the American Dietetics Association of America conference in conjunction with Chef Alan Wong. Delegates from around the world attended this annual conference. Chef Wong spoke about Hawaii, its culture, food, and people. He also performed a cooking demonstration and spoke about the SOQ products, which were on display. Finally, two local publications, Hawaii Hospitality Lodging & Food Service and the Spirit of Aloha magazine both featured articles on SOQ in their Sept/Oct 2006 issues.
For more information on the Seals of Quality program, go to: /hdoa/add/add_md/SOQ
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AG CONFERENCE
Reminder: Ag Conference set for October
Ag Conference 2006, Maximizing Your Bottom Line has been scheduled for October 26th at the Hilton Hawaiian Village Beach Resort & Spa in Waikiki.
Attendees will learn to take advantage of opportunities more rapidly, get around obstacles with greater agility and take decisive action to fulfill personal and company goals. There will also be a trade show and an awards luncheon, as well as, pre and post meetings, seminars and workshops presented by the Hawai‘i Farm Bureau Federation, the Hawai‘i Tropical Flower Council and the Agriculture and Energy Work Group.
These events will bring together both national and local industry innovators and are especially designed for leaders with a vision for agriculture, innovators, entrepreneurs, farmers, ranchers, contractors, architects, nurserymen, their employees, golf course superintendents, and the professionals supporting the industry in universities, state and county governments, and non-profit organizations.
The Ag Conference is the only statewide conference for Hawaii’s agricultural industry. It is presented by the Agricultural Leadership Foundation of Hawaii, the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation (HFBF), the University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR) and HDOA. For more information and registration information, go to: http://www.agconference.org
Questions may be e-mailed to: info@agconference.org or call 808.947.2914 (Oahu).
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Interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors
(The following is a sampling of recent interceptions by Plant Quarantine Inspectors)
August 18 – Maui inspectors intercepted animal feed arriving via cargo ship that was infested with beetles. Two types are found in Hawaii; however, the third type was not known to occur. Inspectors later witnessed the fumigation of the feed containers.
August 21 – Maui inspectors confiscated and destroyed an air freight shipment of 30 cases (300 lbs.) of strawberries from California, which were infested with a strawberry aphid not known to occur in Hawaii. Later that day two cartons of wild honeycombs were treated and destroyed because they were not certified to be free of pest of honeybees.
August 22 – Oahu inspectors intercepted a shipment of red leaf lettuce infested with seven different insects, three not known to occur in Hawaii and one of unknown status.
August 26 – Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed 23 ears of fresh corn on the cob, which was part of a cargo shipment aboard a private jet that arrived from San Francisco.
August 28 – Maui inspectors quarantined a shipment of cut flowers from Portland, Oregon. Leaf spots that were found on cut huckleberry branches were submitted to HDOA’s plant pathologist for possible Sudden Oak Death disease infection.
August 31 – Hilo inspectors used peanut butter bait sticks to detect little fire ants in two pallets containing 2,000 mondo grass plugs. The shipment, destined for Maui, was rejected.
September 13 – Oahu inspectors confiscated a carton containing unidentified fish measuring less than four inches long, which arrived for an Ewa Beach resident. The fishes arrived via express freight from Nebraska and were subsequently identified as piranha.
September 14 – Kona inspectors confiscated and destroyed three flats and on September 18, four flats of organic strawberries due to infestation of aphids not known to occur in Hawaii. Both shipments arrived from San Francisco.
September 25 – A Maui canine unit on baggage claim surveillance
confiscated a pound of radishes that was not declared in hand carry
baggage of an arriving passenger. Since the passenger did not
have a certificate of treatment for the presence of cabbage maggot, the
radishes were treated and destroyed.
The latest Maui Risk Assessment “blitz” began on September 24th and will continue for a two-week period. In addition to increased inspection of incoming air freight at Kahului Airport, United Parcel Post and Federal Express, the blitz will focus on the movement of passengers arriving from the U.S. mainland. Inspections will be conducted planeside to the baggage claim area, including surveys of arriving aircraft for abandoned agricultural materials and uncollected declaration forms.
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To view past E-News issues, click here: /hdoa/meetings_reports/e-news/e-news
For more information, please call (808) 973-9560 or e-mail: hdoa.info@hawaii.gov
