State of Hawaii
10/22/2026 | News release | Distributed by Public on 10/22/2026 20:36
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS NEARLY $400,000 TO HAWAIʻI FOR PESTICIDE ENFORCEMENT
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FEDERAL GOVERNMENT GRANTS NEARLY $400,000 TO HAWAIʻI FOR PESTICIDE ENFORCEMENT
Posted on Oct 22, 2026 in Ag Resources, Main, News-Releases
HONOLULU - The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) Pesticides Branch (PEST) was awarded $382,325 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for fiscal year 2027, which runs through the end of September, 2027.
The federal grant money is in support of compliance and enforcement activities relating to pesticides. If federal funding is available for the next two fiscal years, the grant could total $1,244,823.
The money can be used in a variety of ways such as for personnel, equipment and supplies. PEST plans to use this year's funding to support three positions (two inspectors, one chemist).
PEST is tasked with enforcing federal and state pesticide regulations. This involves conducting investigations to determine whether pesticides are being sold or used illegally, as well as providing educational outreach about pesticide safety for all residents, organizations and businesses in Hawaiʻi. "This funding is pivotal in our mission to ensure pesticides are used in a safe, responsible manner across the state," said Esther Riechert, Pesticides Branch Manager.
This is not the first such award for PEST, which has received similar grants of differing amounts in its cooperative agreement with the EPA since 1974.
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