The Little Fire Ants (LFA), Wasmannia auropunctata, are stinging ants that were first discovered on the Big Island in 1999. LFA are widespread in East Hawai‘i, especially between the lower Puna District and Laupāhoehoe in the North Hilo District. There are also infestations on Maui, Kauai and in the Kona District on the Big Island.
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The Lower Hamakua Ditch is woven into the history and culture of the local communities beyond its 26-mile length. The Lower Hamakua Ditch was built by the sugar plantations and finished in 1910. Originally, the plantations built the ditch to transport the cane to the mill site and for processing the cane. Later, plantations converted the
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Representative Mark Nakashima and Senator Dwight Takamine report that stakeholders interested in the Hamakua Partners in Eldercare and the Lower Hamakua Ditch Working Group are meeting on Thursday, September 2. Community members and representatives from the Department of Agriculture, State Civil Defense, the National Resources Conservation Service and Kamehameha Schools will participate in a videoconference
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Female varroa mite – Photo courtesy of the HDOA Varroa mites were first detected on the Big Island in Hilo by the Hawai’i of Agriculture’s (HDOA) Plant Industry Division in August, 2008. A majority of the state’s bee industry is located on Hawai’i Island and since the first detection in August, 2008 varroa mites have essentially
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Rep. Mark Nakashima & Sen. Dwight Takamine report meeting recently with Big Island commercial fishermen regarding proposed rules changes suggested by the Division of Aquatic Resources of the DLNR. The fishermen are organizing to oppose the rules changes that would place bag limits on a number of types of fish and threatens to impair the
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The Paʻauilo Rendering Plant & Slaughterhouse is part of the effort to diversify agriculture in the state and the Big Island while also maintaining the rural nature of the communities formerly centered on the sugar industry. Hawaiʻi imports roughly 80% of its beef while only 25% of the cattle raised in Hawaiʻi is consumed in the
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Residents of Papa‘ikou have grown increasingly concerned with the dangers and difficulties of using the intersection at Pinky’s (Highway 19 & Papa‘ikou Mill Road) and general traffic safety in their community. Since 2006 community and Papa‘ikou Community Association members have coordinated numerous meetings with DOT, Hawai‘i County Police Department and elected leaders in the effort to improve traffic conditions
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The taro farmers and residents of Waipiʻo Valley are involved in a long-term effort to maintain the stream system in the valley. The USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) agreed to help develop a stream management plan for Waipiʻo Valley and in 2006 released the Waipiʻo Valley Stream Management Plan. The Waipiʻo Stream Management Plan will
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The Department of Agriculture is currently pursuing the biocontrol of strawberry guava by proposing the release of a scale insect from Brazil (Tectococcus ovatus) on State lands. Initial release of the biocongtrol agent is proposed for Ola’a Forest Reserve on the island of Hawai’i, to be followed by releases in other Forest Reserves and Natural
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Representative Nakashima and Senator Takamine are pleased to report on two long-awaited projects–the Kawailii Bridge & playground equipment for Honokaa Elementary School. One of the bridges damaged in the Kiholo Bay Earthquake of October 15, 2006 is finally scheduled for permanent replacement. DOT awarded the Kawailii Bridge Replacement project to Hawaiian Dredging on May 27,
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