Draft legislation proposes consolidating programs under a renamed Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, but critics say the agency already has a spotty track record on invasive species.
Hawaiʻi Grown
Civil Beat is delving deeply into what it would take for Hawaii to decrease its dependence on imported food and be better positioned to grow its own.
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Hawaiʻi Agriculture Department Loses Another Deputy
High vacancy rates, particularly in key leadership positions, have cast doubt over the department’s ability to strengthen protections against invasive species.
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Hawaii Farmers Face Risk of Crime Daily. Is A Killing Enough To Spur Reform?
Lawmakers are considering creating an agricultural crime commission and other measures to bolster laws that apply to agricultural theft, vandalism and trespass.
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You Thought $9 For A Dozen Eggs Was Bad? Bird Flu Might Make It Even Worse
Local chickens are in good health — but they face a potential threat.
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Dole’s Wahiawa Dam Is A Hazard. Now The State Is A Step Closer To Buying It
Upgrading aging infrastructure is key to agriculture’s future in Hawaii, but there are also safety concerns.
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Glut? Shortage? Hawaii Farmers Navigate A Tricky Taro Market
Even as part of the islands’ crop goes unharvested, some buyers turn to imports.
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Most Hawaii Schools Have Gardens — But Few Kids Can Eat What They Grow
A state program that helped schools meet food safety standards ended during the pandemic and it can be daunting for campuses to tackle the requirements on their own.
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As Rhinoceros Beetles Spread, State Board Bolsters Pest Control Powers
The rule changes are intended to target the movement of pest-infested commodities in Hawaii.
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Is Drag Racing A Good Way To Till Soil? This State Farmland Tenant Says So
After failing to stop a daylong “Mud Drag” event that attracted about 1,000 people last weekend, a state agency ponders its next move.