Merrie Monarch travelers again reminded of ‘Ohi‘a quarantine due to ROD
Movement of ‘Ohi‘a from Hawai‘i Island is Restricted
HONOLULU—The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is reminding travelers attending the Merrie Monarch Festival this week that quarantine restrictions remain on the transport of ‘ōhi‘a from Hawai‘i island due to the fungal plant disease, rapid ‘ōhi‘a death (ROD), which is devastating to native forests. The Merrie Monarch Festival begins in Hilo on March 31 and ends April 6.
The quarantine has been in place since 2015, and restricts the movement of ‘ōhi‘a plants and plant parts, including flowers, leaves, seeds, stems, twigs, cuttings, untreated wood, logs, mulch, greenwaste and frass (sawdust from boring insects) and any soil from Hawai‘i island. Transport of such items is only allowed with a permit issued by the HDOA Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB).
PQB inspectors will be stationed at airports in Hilo and Kona to collect any ‘ōhi‘a material which will be respectfully returned to the native forests on Hawai‘i island. During last year’s Merrie Monarch travel period, PQB inspectors intercepted 31 lei po‘o (head lei) in Hilo and 12 lei po‘o in Kona.
“It’s important for the public to know, that although ‘ōhi‘a may be taken to Hawai‘i island from other islands, ‘ōhi‘a may not be taken out of Hawai‘i island no matter where it originated,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture.
“We appreciate everyone’s cooperation in obeying the quarantine and protecting our native forests,” added Hurd. “It takes all of us to protect Hawai‘i.”
A travel alert flyer has been posted on the HDOA website at: https://hdoa. hawaii.gov/wp-content/up loads/2015/06/ROD-Trav el-Alert-Sign-12x18_09_ FINAL.pdf.