Board of Agriculture to hold hearing on proposed permanent ‘ōhi‘a quarantine rule on Monday, May 9th at 1:30pm.
The current quarantine restricting the movement from the Island of Hawai‘i to other islands, of ‘ōhi‘a wood, plants, plant parts, and soil without a permit has been extremely effective–for example, the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) fungus has been detected in ‘ōhi‘a logs that would have otherwise been shipped to counties. This is a TEMPORARY interim rule, and if a permanent rule is not in place by August 25th, ‘ōhi‘a wood, plants and plant parts, and soil will be free to move anywhere in Hawai‘i WITHOUT 
inspection or permits. In order to prevent the free movement of the ROD fungus, the process to make this quarantine permanent has begun.
The Board of Agriculture (BOA) Plants and Animals Committee meeting will be hearing and discussing the proposed permanent ‘ōhi‘a quarantine rule, which is the first step. The Committee will discuss the proposed rule and recommend whether or not the proposed rule will be sent to the BOA as is, or with changes, and whether or not they think the BOA should approve the proposed rule for public hearing. The Plants and Animals Committee meeting is at 1:30 p.m. on Monday May 9 at the HDOA PQ Conference Room on Auiki st., and is open to the public. Agenda
Public comments will be accepted at the hearing. Written letters of testimony are also accepted. Please send them at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or they may not make it into the public record. Send to:
Jonathan K. Ho
Acting Inspection & Compliance Section Chief
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch
1849 Auiki Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
FAX: (808) 832-0584
Email: jonathan.k.ho@hawaii.gov
