The Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity reminded travelers on Mar. 30 that strict quarantine restrictions remain in place for transporting ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts from Hawai‘i Island due to the ongoing threat of rapid ʻōhiʻa death, a fungal disease affecting native forests. The announcement comes ahead of the Merrie Monarch Festival in Hilo, which runs from April 5 to 11.
The department said these measures are important because rapid ʻōhiʻa death has killed at least one million ʻōhiʻa trees on Hawai‘i Island alone. Preventing further spread is crucial for protecting native ecosystems and cultural practices that rely on these trees.
Quarantine rules have been enforced since 2015, restricting the movement of all ʻōhiʻa materials—including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, untreated wood, mulch, and soil—from leaving Hawai‘i Island without a permit from the Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB). Inspectors will be present at Hilo and Kona airports on April 12 and 13 to collect any unauthorized ʻōhiʻa material so it can be returned respectfully to local forests. The University of Hawai‘i at Mānoa’s College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience will provide collection baskets during the festival and at airport PQB offices.
Violations can result in fines ranging from $100 up to $10,000 for a first offense. A second offense within five years may lead to fines between $500 and $25,000. According to the official website, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture works with partners such as the University of Hawaii to support agricultural development while preventing harmful diseases like rapid ʻōhiʻa death.
The disease was first detected in Puna in 2010 and later identified as two species new to science: Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. It has since appeared on Kauaʻi (2018), O‘ahu (2019), and briefly on Maui (2019). Officials stress that even harvesting or moving soil can spread spores through tools or clothing.
The Hawaii Department of Agriculture functions as a state entity tied to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity according to its official website. It employs about 279 staff members statewide according to its official website.
Besides managing facilities like Waiahole Water System in Aiea according to its official website, the department supports sustainable farming across all islands while maintaining strict animal quarantine policies that help keep Hawaii rabies-free according to its official website.
Travelers seeking more information about inspections or rapid ʻōhiʻa death are encouraged by officials to visit resources provided by DAB or contact local Plant Quarantine offices.
