Here in Hawaii, we import a lot of our food.
Last night, we took you inside the State’s agriculture inspection facility at Kahului Airport.
But most of the produce comes into our state by boat.
As Marisa Yamane reports, inspecting the produce is a huge task for such a small staff.
Honolulu Harbor is the busiest harbor in the state.
In a two week period, Matson brings in 150 of these giant shipping containers filled with produce.
And Horizon brings in 48.
That amounts to an average of 10 million pounds of fruits, veggies, flowers and plants every two weeks.
And a lot of it ends up here, at Armstrong Produce, a fresh fruit and vegetable wholesaler located in Mapunapuna.
"Thanksgiving is the busiest holiday for us in produce. We had well over 20 containers just yesterday," said Tish Uyehara, Armstrong Produce Marketing Director.
Oahu doesn’t have a central inspection facility, so ag inspectors have to go to the wholesalers, or wherever the produce gets off-loaded from the containers.
"I’m looking for insects and diseases."
Chanlynne Nakamiyo is one of only nine inspectors in the Ag Department’s maritime section.
It’s impossible for them to sift through every single box that comes through Honolulu Harbor.
So typically, they only check the "high risk" items, like these leafy greens.
Berries are also high risk. So are organic fruits and veggies, as well as bell peppers.
"Usually this has a bug not known to occur insect in Hawaii, so we just look on the top here and underneath also. That’s where they’re usually hiding," said Chanlynne Nakamiyo.
"Because of the volume we find pretty much something every day, whether it be a disease or an insect pest," said Amy Takahashi, State Agriculture Dept. Temporary Inspection and Compliance Officer.
In 2009, ag inspectors made 1400 interceptions statewide.
That number was cut in half last year, after half the force, or about 50 inspectors were laid off due to State budget cuts.
But this past summer, the Governor authorized the re-hiring of ten inspectors, one of whom is Chanlynne.
"This one is ok and I’m going to check another box."
After looking through several boxes of lettuce and bell peppers from Mexico, Chanlynne gives her stamp of approval, and these veggies could end up as part of your Thanksgiving meal.
Rest assured, they’re free of insects and disease.
"This one is pretty clean."
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
