Hawaiʻi Inspectors Accused of Letting 'Lightly Infested' Goods Into State

Lawmakers propose tighter rules as agriculture department defends discretionary practices

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Inspectors with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity have been accused of allowing pest-infested goods to enter the state, in violation of current laws. Lawmakers have proposed a bill to expand the department's authority to inspect a wider range of goods and impose fines for violations, but the department has pushed back, arguing that it needs to exercise discretion based on the level of infestation.

Why it matters

The introduction of invasive species like little fire ants and coconut rhinoceros beetles has had a significant impact on Hawaiʻi's ecology and agricultural production. Lawmakers are concerned that the agriculture department's lax enforcement of inspection rules has allowed these pests to spread, undermining the state's efforts to double local food production and protect its fragile environment.

The details

The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has admitted that its inspectors have been allowing 'lightly infested' goods to enter the state, even though current law requires them to either destroy or return such goods. The department has argued that it needs to exercise discretion based on the level of infestation, but lawmakers say this is a violation of the agency's mandate. The proposed bill would give the department more authority to inspect a wider range of goods, including building materials and vehicles, in an effort to better protect the state from new invasive species.

  • The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity has been accused of ignoring its mandate for more than 50 years.
  • The department gained over $25 million in funding in the past two years for more staff and stronger invasive species control.

The players

Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity

The state agency responsible for inspecting the inward flow of plants and produce that may contain invasive species and restricting those that pose a risk to the islands.

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole

The state senator who introduced the legislation to tighten the department's enforcement of inspection rules and give it more authority to inspect a wider range of goods.

Sharon Hurd

The director of the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, who has suggested changes to the lawmakers' draft bill.

Jonathan Ho

The Plant Quarantine Branch Manager for the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, who admitted that the department's inspectors have been allowing 'lightly infested' goods to enter the state.

Scott Enright

The former state agriculture director, who said that the use of discretion in the inspection process was a necessity due to limited resources and staff during his tenure.

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What they’re saying

“Does a product get to enter Hawaiʻi if it has just a few grubs? A few (Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle) grubs going to Kona is how we got CRB in Kona; a few grubs going to Kauaʻi is why we're currently losing all of the coconut trees at that golf course on Kauaʻi.”

— Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, State Senator (Honolulu Civil Beat)

“That's the policy we've always used.”

— Jonathan Ho, Plant Quarantine Branch Manager, Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Honolulu Civil Beat)

“Without a doubt, we need a culture change. They have two conflicting mandates: to promote the agriculture industry, but also to regulate that same industry. That push and pull sometimes create problems, and this is an example of it.”

— Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, State Senator (Honolulu Civil Beat)

What’s next

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The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.