Brendan Akamu

The key discussion topics for this meeting include the call to order, approval of the minutes from the October 2, 2024 meeting, introductions, and comments from the general public regarding agenda items. New business is scheduled to cover a request for review by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides concerning a proposal to cancel Special Local Needs HI 250005. The agenda also reserves sections for old business and adjournment, with a possibility of moving into executive session to consult with the Chairperson's attorney regarding legal matters.

The meeting addressed several requests for review. One item was retracted. Discussions included proposed amendments to Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 4-66 to increase civil penalties pursuant to Act 220, SLH 2023, and to update state certification plans to conform with Federal law; the vote on this measure failed. The committee voted to recommend that Flupyradifurone be added as a state restricted use pesticide pending completion of a groundwater study. Amendments to include Quinclorac as a restricted use pesticide passed. A motion to add Thiamethoxam as a restricted use pesticide failed. Finally, a motion to add Penflufen as a restricted use pesticide passed based on the condition that its current registered uses, primarily seed treatment, are low risk for groundwater leaching, with the restriction to be withdrawn if future studies do not support this finding. There was no old or new business presented.

The meeting addressed the status of proposed 2023 irrigation water rate changes (no update) and a letter to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity regarding funding concerns for the Molokai Irrigation System (deemed not needed currently). A significant update was provided on the Molokai Irrigation System Delinquency Account, noting that outreach occurred in October through December, resulting in the account being reduced to five delinquent individuals, with meters for these accounts turned over to the Attorney General pending payment. New business involved declining to issue a letter of support for the Molokai Clean Energy Hui Survey due to unclear monetary benefits for the Irrigation System. System updates included reservoir levels (24.75 feet, better than the previous year's 23 feet), outflow, and inflow rates, noting water restrictions would remain in place. Capital projects updates highlighted the SCADA project functioning well and a pump replacement project scheduled to bid in March. The financial update showed MIS revenue of $197,000 and expenses of $154,000, with 84% of expenses attributed to electricity. Delinquent accounts totaled 10, with $22,894 outstanding. Board member vacancies were also discussed.

The meeting addressed a Request for Review and Approval initiated by Nancy Holman of KHNP to amend Plant Quarantine Interim Rule 25-1 to permit the movement of gravel from any area of the state to the Island of Molokai, provided it undergoes an approved treatment prior to movement. Testimony was presented in opposition, strongly urging the Board to deny the petition based on the Precautionary Principle. Opponents argued that no existing treatment can guarantee protection against pests like the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) or Little Fire Ant (LFA), and noted the petition lacked adequate public review, particularly concerning any proposed treatment plan. Furthermore, the testimony emphasized the critical peril to threatened and endangered species located near the proposed gravel use sites and highlighted KHNP's failure to address long-standing biosecurity challenges.

The meeting commenced with procedural explanations for public testimony in the hybrid format. The first order of business involved the approval of minutes from the December 23, 2025 meeting, which required amendments concerning terminology related to livestock and farm development. The main discussion centered on Agenda Item 4 A1: the request for the cancellation of General Lease number S3109 for approximately 1.4 acres in Waimano due to a long history of defaults, including a current rent default exceeding $134,000 and property tax delinquency. Staff recommended approving, after the fact, the reduced annual lease rent amount calculated from a May 1, 2024 rent reopening, and subsequently approving the lease cancellation. Additionally, staff requested authorization to prepare the property for public disposition and to refer General Lease number S3019 to the Department of the Attorney General as a delinquent account. Public testimony included a request for deferment of action on the lease cancellation to allow the lessee time to resolve outstanding issues and potentially transfer the lease to family members who have actively been developing the property using natural farming methods.