What's Being Discussed
The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity will hold a public meeting on September 22, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. The meeting will be held both in person at the Plant Quarantine Branch in Honolulu and online via Zoom. Key topics include:

Hurricane and storm disaster loans: A proposal to activate an emergency loan program to help farmers and agricultural businesses recover from the effects of Hurricane Lala and Tropical Storm Moke.
Farm lease transfer: A request to transfer an existing farm lease at Waimānalo, O'ahu (currently held by Nalo Farms) to a new individual leaseholder.
Farm lease rent updates: A review of updated annual rent amounts, based on independent appraisals, for multiple state agricultural leases across several islands statewide.
Farm lease changes in Hilo: A request to change the allowed use of a lease in the Pana'ewa Agricultural Park from macadamia orchard to diversified agriculture, and to extend that lease term.
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) rules: A proposal to update an interim rule that officially designates O'ahu and Kaua'i as CRB-infested areas, while allowing certain plants (orchids, bromeliads, anthuriums) to move from non-infested areas to Maui and Lāna'i under inspection and safety conditions.

Decisions Expected

Approval of emergency agricultural loans for storm-affected farmers
Approval of the Waimānalo farm lease assignment
Acceptance of updated lease rents statewide
Approval of lease changes in Hilo
Approval of updated CRB quarantine rules

Who Should Pay Attention

Farmers and agricultural businesses affected by Hurricane Lala or Tropical Storm Moke
State agricultural lease holders facing rent reviews or lease changes
Plant growers and nurseries, especially those dealing in orchids, bromeliads, or anthuriums
Residents on Maui and Lāna'i concerned about the spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle