>>Lauren:   ALOHA WELCOME TO INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

I'M LAUREN DAY OF THANK YOU FOR   JOINING US, APOLOGIZE.

HAD TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES.

WE ARE COMING ON THE AIR EVERYBODY  LATER THAN ORIGINALLY PLANNED.

WE HAVE VERY IMPORTANT TOPIC TO DISCUSS.

SO ABOUT THAT, LET'S DIVE RIGHT IN.

FROM ANIMALS TO PLANTS.

TO DISEASE, HAWAII CONSTANTLY   IN A BATTLE AGAINST INVASIVE THREATS.

NEW SET OF RULES HELPS TO HELP CUSHION   THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

TONIGHT HERE WITH FOUR LOVELY   PANELISTS OVER THE NEXT 30 MINUTES TALKING  ABOUT THESE NEW RULES WHAT THEY ARE,   MEAN CHALLENGES THAT COME WITH ENFORCING THEM.

LOOK FORWARD YOUR PARTICIPATION IN TONIGHT'S SHOW.

PLEASE EMAIL IN, CALL IN YOUR QUESTIONS ALSO FIND  A LIVESTREAM OF THIS PROGRAM AT PBS HAWAII.ORG AND   ON THE PBS HAWAII YOUTUBE PAGE.

NOW, TO OUR GUESTS.

SHARON HURD IS THE DIRECTOR OF THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF  AGRICULTURE.

THE DEPARTMENT WORKS TO  PREVENT THE INTRODUCTION AND ESTABLISHMENT OF PLANTS,  ANIMALS AND DISEASES THAT ARE DETRIMENTAL TO THE STATE’S  AGRICULTURE INDUSTRY AND THE ENVIRONMENT.

ERIC TANOUYE IS THE PRESIDENT OF THE HAWAII FLORICULTURE AND  NURSERY ASSOCIATION.

HE ALSO HEADS GREEN POINT  NURSERIES, A BIG ISLAND‑BASED PLANT NURSERY AND EXPORTER  STARTED BY HIS FATHER.

FRANNY BREWER IS PROGRAM  MANAGER FOR THE BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL.

IT WORKS ACROSS THE ISLAND, HELPING TO PROTECT NATIVE  FORESTS, COMMUNITIES, AND AGRICULTURE FROM NEW AND  ONGOING THREATS.

KEITH WEISER IS DEPUTY  INCIDENT COMMANDER FOR THE COCONUT RHINOCEROUS BEETLE  RESPONSE.

MANAGED BY THE UNIVERSITY OF  HAWAII, THE ORGANIZATION WORKS TO PROVIDE AWARENESS,  DETECTION, PREVENTION, AND TREATMENTS AGAINST THE BEETLES  ALSO KNOWN AS CRB.

I WANT TO START WITH YOU.

NEW RULES, PASSED IN OCTOBER.

WHAT DO THEY MEAN?

TELL US ABOUT THE RULES WHAT, ARE THEY, WHAT DOES   OUR COMMUNITY NEED TO KNOW?

>> START BY SAYING THAT IF   THE RULES ARE INTERESTED IN ANYONE.

POSTED ON THE LIEUTENANT GOVERNOR WEBSITE.

AND I THINK THERE WAS A GRAPHIC FOR IT, YOU  HAVE CLICK ON OFFICE SERVICES TAB ADMINISTRATIVE   RULES TAB, DEPARTMENT ADMINISTRATIVE  RULES, AND THEN THE FINAL CLICK IS   DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE ACCESS THE RULES.

WHAT I WOULD RECOMMEND IS TO READ THE RULES.

BUT THE HIGHLIGHTS WOULD BE THAT THE RULES  DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE MORE AUTHORITY TO   DO STOP MOVEMENT IE QUARANTINE OF THOSE NURSERIES  THAT DESPITE OUR ATTEMPTS TO ACCESS THE NURSERY,   SHOULD THERE BE A POTENTIAL DETECTION, WE MORE  AUTHORITY JUST GO IN THERE AND STOP MOVEMENT.

THE INDUSTRY IS WITH US IN THAT THEY EVERYONE  KNOWS THAT INVASIVE SPECIES HURTS EVERYONE.

SO THEY ARE, THINK IT'S A GOOD RULE.

THINK YEAH, LET'S ALL IMPLEMENT THESE RULES.

IF THERE'S SOMEBODY THERE THAT DOESN'T  WANT TO HAVE US LOOK AT THEM OR TREAT,   IT HURTS WHOLE INDUSTRY.

SO LET'S DO THAT.

OTHER ONE WAS IMPORTS, SOME FEES THAT ARE NOW  IMPOSED FOR PERMITTING IS HUNDRED DOLLARS FEE   FOR WHOLE YEAR OF PERMITTING.

UNLIMITED NUMBER OF PERMITS.

ONE HUNDRED DOLLARS IS A GOOD DEAL.

ADDITIONALLY, THERE'S SOME RULES FOR   PENALTIES, BUT MAIN THING IS GIVES DEPARTMENT MORE  AUTHORITY TO EXERCISE THE STOP MOVEMENT PROVISION.

>>Lauren: JUST TO CLARIFY, DO THESE RULES  MOSTLY JUST AFFECT NURSERIES AND NURSERY OWNERS?

OR DOES IT AFFECT PEOPLE LIKE MYSELF.

>> AFFECTS INVASIVE SPECIES.

IF THERE'S A DETECTION A REPORT, THEY SAY, HEY.

THERE'S A INVASIVE THAT'S IDENTIFIED ON THE   LIST OF INVASIVE SPECIES, THEY WE  HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO GO AFTER IT.

IT DOESN'T HAVE TO BE A  INVASIVE FOR NURSERY INDUSTRY.

CAN BE INVASIVE THAT IMPACTS ANOTHER CROP.

>>Lauren: YOU BOTH, OUR ORGANIZATIONS HAVE   BOOTS ON THE GROUNDWORKING TO  COMBAT THESE INVASIVE SPECIES.

HOW DO YOU THINK THE NEW  RULES WILL IMPACT YOUR WORK?

I THINK DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HAS A LOT OF  LEEWAY WITH HOW THREE RESPOND AND WHERE THEY   RESPOND A LOT UP TO THEM AND HOW BIG IMPACT THEY  CHOOSE TO HAVE IN THESE SITUATIONS WHERE INVASIVE   IS FOUND AND THEY CAN SOMEWHAT STRICTER.

CAN BE A LITTLE MORE LENIENT.

WHAT THEY WANT TO PUT INTO COMPLIANCE  AGREEMENTS MANDATORY BEST PRACTICE   STILL A LITTLE BIT UP IN THE AIR.

THAT STAND TO BE PRETTY IMPACTFUL AND   SOMETHING THAT WAS WELL ACCEPTED HERE ON OAHU.

I THINK STATEWIDE, THOSE RULES ARE NEEDED AND   WE'LL SEE WHAT COMES OUT THOSE RULES.

>>Lauren: WHAT ABOUT YOU?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON IT.

>> I THINK FOR US, PARTICULARLY   WITH COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE, I THINK ONE OF  THE THINGS THAT WE'VE BEEN CONCERNED, WE'VE HAD   ONE DETECTION OF COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE,  AND IT'S IN A PREADVANTAGEOUS PART OF ISLAND.

WHERE IF BEETLE WERE TO TURN UP IN ANY OTHER PART  OF ISLAND, WE WOULD HAVE A MUCH BIGGER PROBLEM.

RIGHT NOW STILL BELIEVE  IT'S COMPLETELY ERADICABLE.

HAD CONCERNS INTERIM RULE, ONLY FOR A YEAR.

HAVING PERMANENT RULE IN PLACE HOPEFULLY   HAVING COMPLIANCE AGREEMENTS PUT IN PLACE SOON NOW  IT'S PASSED, GOING TO GIVE US A LOT MORE SECURITY.

AND HOPING THAT WE'RE NOT GOING  TO HAVE ANOTHER SHIPMENT THAT'S   GOING TO CONTAIN COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE.

GREAT ABOUT THESE RULES REALLY EXPANDS DEPARTMENT   AUTHORITY BEYOND JUST THE PEST ITSELF.

FOR THAT MATERIAL PEST MIGHT BE IN.

THAT WAS ONE OF THE THINGS THAT REALLY  LACK BEFORE, WAS THAT ABILITY TO STOP   THE MOVEMENT OF THE HOST MATERIAL.

AND SO I THINK THAT'S HUGE IMPROVEMENT   INTERISLAND CONTAMINATION OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

>>Lauren: TALKING ABOUT COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE,   THOSE BEETLES IN THE WIDE SHOT HERE.

VIEWERS MIGHT GOT A SNIPPET OF IT.

TURN THE FLOOR EVER TO YOU.

SHOW US WHAT  WE'RE LOOKING AT THE VIEWERS EVERYONE   HEARD OF COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE TELL  US THERE'S NO DANGEROUS TO THE COMMUNITY.

DIFFERENT THAN INSECT PESTS PEOPLE.

IN MATERIAL, LARVAE START SMALL AND GET LARGE.

BEETLES GROWING ON DEAD MATERIAL, ONCE THEY  BECOME ADULTS, WHAT IS CAUSING DAMAGE ON PALMS,   OVER 100 PLANTS, THEY CAN DAMAGE.

>>Lauren: WHAT ISLANDS?

>> POPULATION LARGEST ON OAHU.

KAUAI, THERE ARE SEVERAL INFESTED AREAS.

BIG ISLAND HAS HAD FIVE MONTHS  AGO, HAD DETECTIONS THERE.

BUT WE THINK THAT THERE MAY STILL BE  INFESTATION WAIKALOA.

MAUI HAD ONE DETECTION.

13 MONTHS SINCE THEN.

IT MIGHT BE GONE FROM MAUI.

WE'LL HAVE TO WAIT AND SEE.

>>Lauren: POTENTIALLY GOOD NEWS.

SHOWS IT'S IMPORTANT WORK THAT YOU'RE DOING.

ORGANIZATIONS ARE DOING.

MAKING IMPROVEMENT.

HAVE TO SAY, THESE THINGS ARE EXTREMELY CREEPY.

THEY'RE HUGE BY THE WAY.

GOOD 3 INCHES, NOT COUNTING WING SPAN AND LEGS.

GOING BACK TO THE RULES.

HOW DOES THE HAWAII FLORICULTURE   AND NURSERIES COMMUNITY FEEL ABOUT THEM?

ONE POINT, YOU HAD BEEN OUTSPOKEN AGAINST THEM.

>> THANK YOU FOR THAT QUESTION.

GREAT QUESTION.

FIRST OF ALL, I WOULD LIKE TO  SAY HAWAII FLORICULTURE NURSERY   ASSOCIATION FULLY SUPPORTIVE THE RULES.

WE'RE SUPPORTIVE OF RULES THAT WILL ALLOW   DEPARTMENT AND INDUSTRY AND COMMUNITY AT  LARGE TO STOP THE MOVEMENT OF INVASIVE PEST.

ALWAYS OUR MAIN CONCERN.

SECONDLY, WHAT WE REALLY   HAVING A SCARE FOR A LITTLE WHILE, WAS  ON THE UNINTENDED NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCE.

I WANT TO REPEAT THAT.

UNINTENDED NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

THAT WOULD BE THINGS LIKE OUR INDUSTRY FARMERS  AND RANCHERS LET'S SAY, BETWEEN THE AGES OF 65   AND 75, THERE'S ABOUT 45% IN THAT AGE GROUP.

THAT MEANS IN THE NEXT FIVE TO TEN YEARS, WE'RE   GOING TO HAVE EXTREME AMOUNT OF EITHER SLOW DOWN  OR SOMETHING GOING TO CAUSE EFFECT WHERE, QUESTION   THAT COMES TO OUR MIND IS HOW DOES THE STATE,  HOW DOES THE INDUSTRY REPLACE THESE WARM BODIES?

SO CONCERN WE HAD 45% OF 65 TO 75‑YEAR‑OLD,  WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN IS FARM LAND, RANCH LAND   TAKEN OUT OF ACTIVE PRODUCTION.

INFRASTRUCTURE ON THESE LANDS   ARE NOT GOING TO BE USED.

THEY'RE GOING TO BE EITHER   SOLD OR NOTHING USED FOR PRODUCTIVE AG USE.

AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, THE PRODUCTS ON THESE   FARMS AND RANCHES ARE NOT GOING TO BE AVAILABLE.

SO BE CONCERNED THAT WE HAD WAS UNINTENDED   CONSEQUENCES.

WHAT HAPPENS FOR THE   72, QUARANTINES PUT NURSERIES OUT OF BUSINESS?

CONCERN THAT WE HAD WAS IN 2022 CENSUS OF   AGRICULTURE DONE BY STATISTICS SERVICE STATISTICS  SERVICE.

2017 TO 2022, 2,000 ACRES IN HAWAII WERE   TAKEN OUT OF ACTIVE PRODUCTION.

80 TO THOUSAND ACRES.

A LOT OF PRODUCTION.

IN THE MEDIA I THINK.

I THINK IT WAS IN THE MEDIA TODAY.

CONCERN WAS HUGE.

WHAT HAPPENS TO THAT LAND?

IT WAS IN THE MEDIA.

>>Lauren: HUGE CONCERN WITH INVASIVE SPECIES.

TALKING EARLIER ABOUT INVASIVE PLANTS.

I DIDN'T REALIZE PLANTS CAN BE INVASIVE.

THAT'S ONE OUR BIGGEST PROBLEMS   INVASIVE SPECIES IN HAWAII.

WHEN YOU HAVE LANDS THAT TAKEN   OUT OF PRODUCTIVE AGRICULTURE, WHAT TENDS TO  HAPPEN IS THOSE LANDS WILL FILL UP WITH SOME   REALLY CAN BAD INVASIVE PLANTS AND THEN  ALSO BE NURSERY FOR A LOT INVASIVE PEST.

WHEN YOU HAVE THOSE LANDS JUST BEEN LEFT TO  GO FALLOW AND THERE'S NOBODY MANAGING THEM,   IT BECOMES REALLY BAD PROBLEM FOR FOLKS TRYING  TO KEEP INVASIVE SPECIES FROM GETTING INTO   WATERSHED UP THE MOUNTAIN.

>> A LOT OF LONGTERM   CONSEQUENCES CAN COME FROM THIS.

>> UNINTENDED CONSEQUENCES WE ARE CONCERNED WITH.

OUR INDUSTRY AS WELL AS AGRICULTURE HAS A  WHOLE LOT OF STATE AND FEDERAL RULES THAT   WE HAVE TO FOLLOW.

USING PESTICIDES   AND BURDENS WE GOT TO COMPLY WITH.

DON'T WANT TO SEE MORE REGULATIONS OF COURSE.

CLICHE IS DON'T HAVE TOO MUCH REGULATION, MORE  AND MORE REGULATION YOU HAVE, IT JUST KEEPS US   FROM BEING SUCCESSFUL DOING WHAT HE NEED TO DO.

>>Lauren: WORRIED IT'S GOING PUSH BUSINESS,.

>> PUSH BACK MORE.

INDUSTRY IS TRYING  AND AGRICULTURE IN GENERAL, TRYING TO   GET YOUNG AND THE NEW IT COME INTO OUR INDUSTRY.

IF THEY SEE THE PERCEPTION JUST HIGHLY REGULATED   INDUSTRY, HARD TO DO BUSINESS, HARD TO MAKE MONEY.

IF THE FARM OR RANCH CANNOT MAKE MONEY NOT GOING   AROUND FOR LONG.

INTIMIDATING.

KEEP YOUNG OR NEW PEOPLE FROM  COMING INTO OUR INDUSTRY.

ALL OF THESE ARE UNINTENDED NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES.

WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VOICE OUR CONCERNS.

WE GOT SEE THE GUIDANCE  DOCUMENTS, GOT TO SEE THE RULES.

SOME OF OUR CONCERNS WERE  TAKEN INTO CONSIDERATION.

LIKE QUESTIONS LIKE HOW DOES  A FARM GET INTO QUARANTINE?

AND WHEN IT GETS INTO QUARANTINE, HOW LONG IS IT  GOING TO BE IN QUARANTINE AND HOW DO WE GET OUT?

MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION IS HOW DO YOU GET THE FARM  OR RANCH BACK INTO PRODUCTION AGAIN TO MAKE MONEY?

BECAUSE THE BIGGEST SKILL WE  HAD WAS WE DIDN'T KNOW HOW LONG.

WE HAD A REAL SCARE LIKE 2 YEARS, THE  FARM OR RANCH GOING TO BE IN QUARANTINE.

THAT MEANS ANY FARM OR RANCH  DOESN'T HAVE INCOME FOR 2 YEARS.

IT'S NOT GOING TO SURVIVE.

>>Lauren: YOU GUYS ARE IN SUPPORT   OF THE RULES.

>> YES.

>>Lauren: YOUR DEPARTMENT INITIATED  LEGAL ACTION AGAINST BUSINESSES THAT   KNOWINGLY SELL INFESTED PLANTS.

CAN YOU TELL US ABOUT THAT?

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

>> WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY NOW   AND RULE CHANGE GIVES US QUICKER ACTION.

WE LIKE TO EDUCATE BEFORE WE REGULATE.

IDEA IS WE NEED EVIDENCE  BEFORE WE DO USE THE BIG STICK.

WE HAVE TO DO HAVE AUTHORITY.

GO TO THE NURSERY.

I THINK THIS NURSERY IS, I SAW SOME,  HER EYE IS KEEN, SEE SOMETHING.

EXCUSE ME, WE NEED TO GO ON YOUR PROPERTY.

NEED TO CHECK.

YOU CAN'T.

WELL, IF YOU DON'T LET US ON YOUR PROPERTY  TO CHECK AND DETECT, WE CAN'T COLLECT   EVIDENCE THAT WE NEED TO HELP YOU.

WE'RE NOT GOING TO SHUT YOU DOWN   JUST BECAUSE YOU HAVE IT.

TRY TO FIX THE PROBLEM,   SUB OUR GUYS IN, THREE OUR FIVE, SIX TIMES.

WHAT WE DON'T WANT FOR YOU TO SAY NO.

NO MORE ENTRY.

IF THAT HAPPENS,   WE HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ACTUALLY STOP MOVEMENT.

WE HAVE IMPLEMENTED THE NURSERIES VOLUNTARILY   CLOSED DOORS WHILE WE DID OUR DEEP DIVE.

WHAT WE DO IS FRANNY SAYS, HEY, I GOT THIS PLANT.

I THINK IT'S INFECTED.

I KNOW IT'S INFECTED.

THAT'S NOT EVIDENCE.

ANY INVESTIGATION WHAT WAS THE CHAIN OF CUSTODY?

DID YOU BUY IT, WHAT DID YOU  DO WITH IT SINCE YOU BOUGHT IT?

DID YOU PUT IT ON THE GROUND?

DID THE ANTS GO IN, BUGS GO IN YOUR POSSESSION?

HOW LONG AGO?

EVIDENCE TRIO IS COLD.

SO WHAT WE HAVE TO IS GO RIGHT ON  PROPERTY, DO OUR TESTING, CONFIRM,   YOU HAVE THIS BUG, LET US HELP GET RID OF IT.

YOU DON'T LET US ON, GOING TO FORCE OUR WAY ON.

>>Lauren: I SEE.

IS THIS PROBLEM WHERE NURSERIES ARE   INTENTIONALLY SELLING PLANTS KNOW ARE INFESTED.

DOING IT WITH BAD INTENTIONS?

>> I MEAN, CERTAINLY NOT SOMETHING I  THINK MOST NURSERIES ARE GUILTY OF.

I THINK IT'S WE DEFINITELY  HAVE THIS ON BIG ISLAND.

WE ARE WIDESPREAD WITH FIRE  ANTS ON THE BIG ISLAND.

MOST NURSERIES HAVE TO DEAL WITH THIS AND TREAT.

WE HAVE A VOLUNTARY PROGRAM CALLED PLANT PONO.

NURSERIES CAN GET SUPPORT AND WHAT WE FIND  IS MOST PEOPLE ARE VERY HAPPY TO BE GOOD   CITIZENS AND REALLY WANT TO PARTICIPATE AND  PREVENTING THE SPREAD OF INVASIVE SPECIES.

WE HAVE ENCOUNTERED FOLKS  WOULD SAY IT'S EVERYWHERE.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE BIG DEAL IS.

HAPPENS IN A SITUATION ON OAHU,   IT WAS WHETHER INTENTIONAL OR UNINTENTIONAL,  KNOWN SITUATIONS WITH FIRE ANTS.

95% OF FOLKS WANT TO PARTICIPATE.

IN ANY INDUSTRY, HAVE 5% OF PEOPLE WHO JUST SAY,   I DON'T WANT TO TAKE THE EXTRA STEP.

THERE IS A NEED FOR THAT HAMMER.

AS I WAS LEARNING FROM ALL OF YOU WHILE WE WERE  HAVING THIS TECHNICAL DIFFICULTIES, A LOT OF   INVASIVE SPECIES PLANTS, BUGS, IT DOESN'T END.

WE DO HAVE A QUESTION FROM ONE OF OUR VIEWERS   ABOUT THE RHINOCEROS BEETLE.

HAVE THE EXPERT HERE, ASKING,   WHERE DO CAN YOU TAKE LARVAE TO BE  IDENTIFIED TO SEE IF IT A RHINOCEROS BEETLE?

WE HAVE THE LARVA HERE ON THE TABLE.

>> DEPENDS WHAT ISLAND, MOST CONVENIENT.

ON OAHU, IF YOU SEE SOMETHING BIG, GOOD CHANCE,  BECAUSE THEY'RE ALMOST EVERYWHERE ON OAHU,   AND AS FASHION AS REPORTING WE DON'T  NEED TO KNOW EVERY PLACE ON OAHU.

IF YOU SEND US PICTURE WITH SOMETHING  FOR SCALE, USUALLY BE ABLE TO TELL YOU   YES OR NO, THAT LOOKS LIKE IT.

ON ALL OF THE OTHER ISLANDS,   WE WANT KNOW EVERY TIME SOMEONE FINDS ONE,  EVEN THOUGH IN MANY PLACES ON KAUAI, KAUAIIAN   INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE WANTS TO EDUCATE PEOPLE  MANAGEMENT PRACTICE TO PREVENT SPREAD ON KAUAI.

BIG ISLAND, IN WAIKALOA, MAYBE GONE.

WANT TO KNOW EVERY SINGLE ONE   TO RESPOND AND ERADICATE.

SAME ON EVERY OTHER ISLAND.

WE HAVE WEBSITE THAT YOU GO TO OR CALL HDOA  OR CALL LOCAL INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE.

THOSE ARE ALL EXCELLENT RESOURCES.

>>Lauren: THROW THIS QUESTION OUT.

WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO, COMMUNITY  TO HELP SOME INVASIVE SPECIES?

HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU HAVE A POTENTIAL INVASIVE  SPECIES MAYBE ON YOUR PROPERTY SINCE THERE ARE   SO MANY LIKE STRAWBERRY GUAVA INVASIVE?

>> I THINK THERE'S SOME GREAT  RESOURCES ONLINE.

INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEES DO   WORK ON PLANTS THAT ARE NOT WIDESPREAD.

TRYING TO GET THEM EARLY.

SO THOSE MIGHT BE PLANTS THAT  PEOPLE AREN'T FAMILIAR WITH.

GOING ON TO INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE,  WHATEVER ISLAND YOU'RE ON, LOOKING AT WHAT   THE TARGETS SPECIES ARE, TO JUST MAKE  SURE IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING SUSPICIOUS,   THE HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL  ALSO HAS A GREAT WEBSITE WITH LOTS   OF INVASIVE SPECIES THAT ARE LISTED.

SO LOTS OF WAYS TO BECOME FAMILIAR.

CTAHR MASTERS GARDENS PROGRAM.

CALL TALK TO THEM.

GETTING TO KNOW WHAT'S IN YOUR YARD, AROUND IN   OUR OWN COMMUNITY, AND THEN ANYTHING THAT YOU  SEE THAT ONCE YOU SORT OF HAVE A FAMILIARITY,   IT GIVES YOU OPPORTUNITY TO SPOT SOMETHING THAT IS  OUT OF PLACE OR SPOT SOMETHING DOESN'T LOOK RIGHT.

AND THERE A GREAT STATEWIDE  ONLINE SYSTEM CALLED 643 PEST.ORG.

SEND, UPLOAD A PICTURE OF ANYTHING  STRANGE THAT YOU FIND AND THOSE   FOLKS ARE GET THAT TO THE EXPERTS.

SO IT'S LIZARD OR INSECT OR PLANT THAT   YOU'RE SAYING THIS LOOKS A LITTLE WEIRD I DON'T  THINK THIS IS IN THE RIGHT PLACE, REALLY GETTING   THAT IDENTIFIED BECAUSE THAT IS, WE NEED THOSE  EYES AND EARS OUT THERE TO SOMETHING NEW IS HERE.

THAT'S HOW WE FIND IT.

>>Lauren: YOU ARE OUR NURSERY GARDEN EXPERT.

TONIGHT.

WHAT CAN PEOPLE BE ON THE LOOKOUT FOR   BESIDES SOME OF THE THINGS THAT FRANNY MENTIONED  THAT SOMETHING IS OFF, LIKE IS IT GARDENS GETTING   EATEN UP, HOW COULD THEY KNOW OTHER SIGNS?

>> WELL, HAWAII FLORICULTURE NURSERY ASSOCIATION,   LITTLE OVER 300 MEMBERS STATEWIDE.

LOCAL, SMALL, FAMILY FARMS.

STATEWIDE ALL OVER THE STATE.

MORE COMMERCIALIZED GUYS.

SO WE'RE WORKING WITH THE FIRST LINE OF  DEFENSE IS PROBABLY GOING TO BE CALLING CTAHR.

COLLEGE OF TROPICAL AGRICULTURE  AND HUMAN RESILIENCE.

ENTOMOLOGY SPECIALISTS OR AGENTS,  FOUR AGENTS, ONE ON EACH MAJOR   ISLAND OUT THERE HELPING OUR MEMBERS.

SO OUR MEMBERS NORMALLY CONTACT CTAHR.

COLLEGE EXTENSION AGENTS.

AND ALSO, TOGETHER, WITH COLLEGE AND US,   BE CONTACT DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AS WELL.

PQ BRANCH IDENTIFYING, NEW PEST,   I'M ASSUMING EVERYBODY WOULD GET NOTIFIED.

NOT ONLY COMMERCIAL PEOPLE INVOLVED EDUCATE THEM,   NEED COMMUNITY INVOLVED NEED TO HELP US.

>>Lauren: HOW IS THE DEPARTMENT FEELING ABOUT   COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLE LITTLE FIRE ANTS?

DO YOU FEEL OVERWHELMED OR SOMETHING   THAT IS POTENTIALLY CONTROLLABLE?

>> IT IS POTENTIALLY CONTROLLABLE.

CRB, OVER‑THE‑COUNTER THINGS FOR LITTLE FIRE ANTS.

OVER‑THE‑COUNTER CHEMICALS YOU COULD BUY.

THANK GOODNESS, LEGISLATURE LAST YEAR  GIVE US $10 MILLION THROUGH ACT 31.

WE WILL BE ENCUMBERING 100% OF  THE PROPOSAL PROGRAMMATIC FUNDS.

95%, MY BAD.

WE'RE IN THE PROCESS OF   WORKING WITH THE INTERAGENCIES.

GOING TO TAKE ALL OF US.

EARLIER QUESTIONS, YOU HAD ABOUT HOW  CAN THE COMMUNITY HELP, IF IT'S CRB.

GET RID OF GREEN WASTE.

TURN MULCH PILES.

DO NOT KEEP DIRT, MULCH  PILES BECAUSE THEY LOVE IT.

DEPARTMENT IS FEELING WE'RE TRYING TO  KEEP OUT THE REALLY DREADFUL PESTS.

OTHERS AREN'T, WE HAVE PROTOCOLS.

HAVE TREATMENTS, CHEMICALS.

BROWN TREE SNAKE, HORRIBLE.

DOING A GOOD JOB KEEPING THAT OUT.

RED IMPORTED FIRE ANT.

27 STATES IN THE U.S.

IT'S IN CALIFORNIA.

TRAVELS ON PRODUCE.

TRAVELS ON PLANTS.

CAREFUL WATCH, WE WERE ALL KIND OF LOOKING FOR IT.

WHAT IS THE DEPARTMENT DOING?

TRYING TO MANAGE THE PESTS THAT WE HAVE.

WE'RE ALSO VERY VIGILANT ABOUT  THE PESTS THAT WE DON'T HAVE.

>>Lauren: DO YOU FEEL LIKE YOU  HAVE ENOUGH STAFF TO GO DO THIS?

>> GOOD QUESTION.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

NO.

WE HAVE VACANCIES.

BUT 231 GAVE US 44 POSITION WE ARE,  WHEN WE HAVE A POSTING FOR OPENING.

MORE THAN 50 PEOPLE APPLY.

SO WE ARE HOPEFUL THAT WE CAN   FILL THESE POSITIONS ONCE WE 44 POSITIONS, ONCE  WE HAVE THEM IT A POINT WHAT WE CAN RECRUIT.

LONG PROCESS.

WE KNOW THERE ARE PEOPLE OUT   THERE WANT TO JOIN THE FIGHT WITH US.

AND OTHER THING THE PUBLIC CAN DO,   I THINK KEITH AND FRANNY WILL AGREE,  GOING THROUGH THE LEDGE RIGHT NOW IF   THERE'S SUPPORT FOR IT, IT WILL CROSS OVER.

DOESN'T, NO SUPPORT, PROBABLY WON'T CROSS OVER.

BILLS THAT WILL HELP CRB.

BILLS HELP THE ISCSAND WE NEED THEM.

WE NEED THEM TO BE IN THE FIGHT.

PUBLIC, CONTACT CONGRESSMAN.

TELL THEM SUPPORT THE BILLS, SUPPORT THE ISCs.

>> SUPPORT THE DEPARTMENT,   NEED THIS FUNDING TO CONTINUE.

>>Yunji: IF YOU'RE IN NEED OF A JOB,   KEEP YOUR EYE OUT.

>> PLEASE.

THANK YOU FOR THAT.

>>Lauren: DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE HIRING.

WE ONLY HAVE 2 MINUTES LEFT.

THIS WENT BY FAST.

REALLY COULD SPEND A LOT MORE TIME ON THIS TOPIC.

WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO TELL THE PUBLIC OF HOW   THEY CAN HELP AND BE GOOD STEWARDS?

>> I THINK KEEPING YOUR EYES OPEN,   SUPPORTING THAT LEGISLATION.

LOOKING FOR DAMAGE ON THE UNINFESTED ISLANDS.

AND PREVENTING SPREAD AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE.

>>Lauren: FRANNY, WHAT WOULD BE  JUST OUR OVERARCHING MESSAGE?

THERE ARE SOME INVASIVE SPECIES OUT THERE.

LETTING PUBLIC KNOW ABOUT THE   HARM THAT THEY CAN CAUSE.

YOU WERE TELLING ME STRAWBERRY   GUAVA IN MY BACKYARD.

I HAD NO IDEA THAT   IS SO DANGEROUS TO OUR COMMUNITY.

>> WE OFFER A LOT OF EDUCATION PROGRAMS.

PEOPLE ARE MORE INTERESTED IN THIS, IF  YOU ARE ON SOCIAL MEDIA, VERY ACTIVE ON   FACEBOOK AND INSTAGRAM AND TRY TO SHARE NOT  JUST INFORMATION ABOUT ONES THAT WE WORK ON,   BUT JUST ABOUT INVASIVE SPECIES IN GENERAL.

SO IF YOU'RE INTERESTED, PLEASE LOOK US UP.

>>Lauren: ANYTHING ELSE THAT YOU WOULD SAY  TO COMMUNITY HOW DANGEROUS THEY CAN BE?

IMPACT OF INVASIVE SPECIES?

>> YES, I WOULD SAY, I MEAN,   SPEAK VERY MUCH TO THE OTHER ISLANDS.

I THINK THAT BIG ISLAND, WE KNOW,   WE ARE ALREADY KNOW HOW BAD IT CAN BE.

TRY TO CONVINCE ANYBODY ON THE BIG ISLAND.

WE'VE BEEN PRETTY IMPACTED.

FOLKS ON OTHER ISLANDS,   ESPECIALLY WITH SOMETHING LIKE FIRE  ANTS, PUT THOSE PEANUT BUTTER STICKS OUT.

YOU DON'T WANT THE SITUATION WE HAVE.

I THINK LESSONS FROM EACH OTHER FOR SURE.

>>Lauren: THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH.

APPRECIATE YOUR TIME.

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR OUR  VIEWERS FOR BEING PATIENT.

GOT ON THE AIR.

GLAD WE WERE ABLE TO DO IT.

IMPORTANT TOPIC.

HAVE YOU GUYS BACK FOR PART 2.

SHARON HURD FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND  FRANNY BREWER FROM THE BIG ISLAND INVASIVE SPECIES  COUNCIL.

ERIC TANOUYE FROM THE HAWAII  FLORICULTURE AND NURSERY ASSOCIATION AND KEITH WEISER  FROM COCONUT RHINOCEROUS BEETLE RESPONSE.

NEXT WEEK, UNDERSTANDING MENOPAUSE.

MORE THAN A MILLION WOMEN IN THE U.S. GO THROUGH IT EACH  YEAR, YET STUDIES SHOW A LACK OF EDUCATION AND UNDERSTANDING  OF WHAT MENOPAUSE IS.

WE LOOK AT THE FACTS AND  MISCONCEPTIONS.

PLEASE JOIN US THEN.

I’M LAUREN DAY FOR INSIGHTS ON PBS HAWAII.

ALOHA.

HAVE A GREAT NIGHT.