18-04-2025
Heading to Merrie Monarch? Don't bring this plant on your way back
HONOLULU (KHON2) — As you pack your bags and lei to head to the Merrie Monarch Festival, here's a reminder that rules are in place to restrict the movement of ʻōhiʻa plants from the Big Island.
The quarantine rule has been in place since 2015 for ʻōhiʻa plants and plant parts such as flowers, leaves, seeds, stems and more due to the risk of fungal plant disease — rapid ʻōhiʻa death.
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The Department of Agriculture said the plant disease is devastating to native forests.
Officials added that even the act of harvesting ʻōhiʻa can spread the disease, as the spores can be carried in soil, harvesting tools, shoes, clothing and more.
To prevent ʻōhiʻa material from leaving the Big Island, PQB inspectors will be stationed at airports in Hilo and Kona, where it will be collected and returned to the native who are caught attempting to transport the plant may be charged with a misdemeanor and fined up to $10,000.
If a second offense is committed, violators can face fines up to $25,000.
Questions regarding inspection information can be directed to HDOA's Plant Quarantine offices:
Hilo: (808) 961-9393
Kona: (808) 326-1077
Honolulu: (808) 937-8413
Maui: (808) 872-3848
Kauai: (808) 241-7135
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For more information on rapid ʻōhiʻa death, visit the HDOA's website or the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources website.
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