A big shipment just came in this weekend.
Agriculture inspectors are busy making sure there aren’t any ‘hitchhikers."
Before Christmas trees are put on display, each are inspected by the state to ensure no invasive species are brought to Hawaii.
Three teams from the state department of agriculture inspect each container.
About 75 containers will be checked with each container holding about 200 to 500 Christmas trees and dozens of wreaths.
Two to three trees from each container are untied and shaken.
Among the pine needles, the team finds two slugs that are unknown to Hawaii. These are other species are a concern for the inspectors.
"We’re very concerned about an aggressive yellow jacket wasp and also slugs that are also not known to occur in Hawaii," said Glenn Sakamoto of the Department of Agriculture.
After Sunday’s inspection, six containers were held back after the discovery of slugs and yellow jacket wasps.
Once the insects are identified, the state will know whether they’re harmful to Hawaii.
If they are, the importer has two options – to either pay to send the container back or do a steam treatment.
"If we do find the aggressive yellow jacket, especially the queen, we actually build a tent at our office and every single tree has to be shaken," Sakamoto says.
The state shipped in 40 fewer containers this year.
So far, none of them have been refused entry into Hawaii or returned to the Pacific Northwest.
"They look pretty good and I think those pre-requirements and pre-treatment requirements have really helped and they look really clean this year," Sakamoto says.
A final shipment of trees will arrive on Maui this Saturday, December 3.
See the original article at: KHON2 Local News
