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Board hears invasive-species update on spittlebug, little fire ant, tree removals and digital declaration pilot
Summary
Plant Quarantine Branch Manager Jonathan Ho briefed the Board of Agriculture on multiple invasive-species efforts: a closed spittlebug RFP, a $1.1 million Little Fire Ant contract, tree removals on Oahu, a pest diagnostics contract, a digital passenger-declaration pilot and related biosecurity legislation moving through the Legislature.
Jonathan Ho, Plant Quarantine Branch manager with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, briefed the State of Hawaii Board of Agriculture on ongoing invasive-species work, including contracts and pilot programs aimed at limiting spread and improving response.
Ho said the department closed an RFP for a two-line spittlebug contract with a budget of $240,000. Two proposals showed promise but exceeded the awarded amount; the department plans to use the available $240,000 for one contract and to fund the other proposal with departmental funds while contracts are drafted.
Ho described a Little Fire Ant (LFA) contract valued at about $1.1 million with a contractor identified in the staff report. Plant quarantine staff began treatments at verified sites and the department has been coordinating with island invasive-species committees for site selection on Maui and Kauai. Ho said the department has received…
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