WASHINGTON, D.C. -- United States Senator Daniel K. Inouye announced that the Senate approved $8,996,800 for important Hawaii agriculture initiatives, including $400,000 for the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) to develop an effective detection and control program to prevent the inadvertent introduction of brown tree snakes (BTS) into Hawaii and other parts of the United States. This funding will complement existing annual funding of more than $2.5 million supported by Senator Inouye in the budgets of the Defense and Interior Departments.

"Native to Indonesia, the Solomon Islands, New Guinea and Australia, the BTS was accidentally introduced on the Island of Guam about 50 years ago, causing enormous economic, biological, and cultural damage including: the extinction of 9 of 11 native forest bird species; attacks on commercial poultry operations and on domesticated animals; electrical power outages approximately every four days; and serious medical problems from BTS bites particularly in infants. At least six live BTS have been captured in Hawaii. The introduction of the BTS to Hawaii will no doubt, wreak havoc on our state's fragile forest ecosystem. I am pleased that the Committee approved funding to support an aggressive BTS detection and control program," stated Senator Inouye.

The Senate also approved $300,000 for APHIS to establish and operate a Wildlife Services (WS) State Office in Hawaii.

"Given the devastating impact on agriculture and the natural environment to the region by alien animal pests, I am pleased that the Committee supports increased on-site coordination of alien animal prevention and control activities in Hawaii and the U.S.-affiliated Pacific islands. Having a WS State Office for Hawaii and the Pacific region would provide direct involvement in the prevention of brown tree snake introduction, protection of the region's unprecedented level of endangered species, as well as the protection of public health and safety of our island community," said Senator Inouye.

In addition, the Senate approved $200,000 for a plant materials center to help Native Hawaiians develop native plant nurseries, and help with the revegetation effort on Kahoolawe. These initiatives are included in the Fiscal Year 1999 Department of Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Bill.

Inouye's initiatives also include:

Program Continuations:
Tropical and Subtropical Research	$2,724,000
This program is the main research effort in developing and promoting tropical and subtropical agriculture, and is a partnership with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and American universities in the tropics including: Hawaii, Guam, Florida, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands.
Tropical Aquaculture Research	$1,603,000
With increasing emphasis on the health benefits of seafood, there are significant economic benefits that will accrue with the expansion of U.S. aquaculture. Hawaii offers a unique (and relatively isolated) year-round natural laboratory in which to develop and test nutrition and pest management strategies that will further the growth of the Hawaii and U.S. aquaculture industry. No other place in the country has the natural environment and the professional expertise needed to support the development of aquaculture in the tropical and subtropical United States. This work is conducted at the Oceanic Institute at Makapuu, with planned expansions of hatcheries and training facilities on Molokai and the Big Island.
Sugarcane and Diversified Crop Research	$945,000
Though many of Hawaii's sugar plantations have ceased operations, there is a need to maintain the competitive position of the three remaining plantations and to assist in the transition of dislocated workers interested in diversified agricultural alternatives. In view of these challenges, the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center (HARC), formerly the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, has appropriately redirected some of its resources to activities which support the diversification of Hawaii agriculture while maintaining its commitment to the remaining sugarcane production enterprises. At the direction of Senator Inouye, the Congress continues to annually assist in the operations of HARC's Aiea Experiment Station.
Agricultural Development in the American Pacific	$564,000
This is annual funding obtained by Senator Inouye for sustainable agricultural development in the American Pacific region. This project is the primary means for the research, extension and instruction programs of the land-grant institutions within the American-affiliated Pacific to collaborate on agricultural and human resource development of island communities in the region while maintaining cultural, social, economic, and environmental integrity.
Pineapple Research	$296,000
This is the fifth year of funding to help the Hawaii pineapple industry develop pest resistant pineapple varieties. The nematode resistance in pineapple project has a unique blend of industry participation and a rigorous review process established by the University of Hawaii, HARC, and the USDA. Considerable progress has been made on establishing tissue culture processes that have minimal variability and on identifying nematode resistant genes. This type of cutting edge work provides excellent opportunities to greatly reduce pesticide use in production agriculture.
Papaya Research	$296,000
This is fifth year funding to develop and implement a program to combat the papaya ringspot virus plaguing the papaya industry on the Big Island. Again, the University of Hawaii, HARC, and the USDA, working with Hawaii papaya growers, have developed two genetically resistant papaya varieties. Seeds for these new varieties are now being distributed to farmers.
Minor Crop Pest Control	$281,000
Senator Inouye seeks this support annually to develop and implement cost effective and environmentally safe methods to control insects, weeds and other pests prominent in small scale farms in Hawaii. Without these low cost, environmentally safe disease and insect control strategies, Hawaii's agriculture will not be competitive in global markets.
Floriculture Research	$250,000
This is funding that Senator Inouye has obtained for the last several years to help Hawaii's nursery farmers develop disease resistant and new varieties of flowers. University of Hawaii researchers, working closely with Hawaii flower growers, have made significant progress on continued development of new flower varieties that enable global competitiveness. These new and beautiful varieties help to reduce cost by often being disease and insect resistant, thereby reducing production cost.
Molokai Agricultural Development and Conservation	$250,000
For the past seven years, Senator Inouye has assisted Hawaiian Homestead farmers on Molokai, through the Molokai Agriculture Community Committee (MACC), to expand diversified agriculture and ranching opportunities through joint planning with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Natural Resources Conservation Service. The MACC has encouraged community-based and directed agricultural projects with federal matching funds provided on a competitive basis. To date, more than 80 family farms have benefitted from this program. Recently, the program is progressing from individual projects to a community project for the establishment of a slaughter and processing plant.
Non-toxic Fruit Fly Control	$242,600
This is annual funding obtained by Senator Inouye to develop effective nontoxic methods to control tephritid fruit flies. Tephritid fruit flies are one of the most damaging agricultural pests, infesting more than 200 varieties of fruit. Development of nontoxic fruit fly management tools having minimal impact on the natural environment is important to those areas of the country where these pests are not established. In Hawaii, where alien pests have become established, export of untreated fruits to mainland and overseas markets are restricted and, in many instances, these pests are so damaging that they preclude production even for local consumption. The Agricultural Research Service and the University of Hawaii have collaborated on the development and evaluation of currently acceptable or novel non-toxic fruit fly control strategies.
Animal Damage Control	$240,000
This is annual funding obtained by Senator Inouye for the Hawaii Agriculture Research Center to assist with rodent control in sugarcane and macadamia nut crops. Rodents in sugarcane and macadamia orchards continue to impede production and constantly raise public health concerns.
Subterranean Termite Research	$143,200
Senator Inouye's efforts have provided annual funding to University of Hawaii scientists to develop and implement alternative methods to control and prevent termite damage to homes and other structures. Subterranean termites cause the greatest economic damage to homes and other structures in Hawaii compared to any other pest. With increasing environmental concerns, especially ozone depletion due to fumigation control methods, as well as concerns for public health and safety, there is a continuing need to develop safe methods to control this devastating pest. This project has developed effective termite barriers used in construction, as well as promising naturally occurring control methods.
Agricultural Diversification and Specialty Crops	$131,000
Diversification of agriculture through commercialization of specialty crops has gained added importance in Hawaii agriculture's global competitive strategy. The downsizing of sugarcane has resulted in an unprecedented release of resources that makes diversification possible. This continuing project focuses on high value niche markets for relatively unknown agricultural products, and production and marketing systems, including medicinal/pharmaceutical crops, a naturally occurring low-caloric sweetener, plant products that go into making Hawaiian flower leis and other adornments, and the high pressure processing of Hawaii's tropical fruits.
Multi-Cropping Strategies for Aquaculture	$127,000
Continued annual support for aquaculture research and development targeted to the Island of Molokai. This project addresses development of aquacultural enterprises consistent with sustainable stewardship of land and water and the retention of community and cultural values. The Molokai community has identified the specific task of restoring historic fishponds. The community is seeking maximum efficiency in producing both marketable and subsistence products that can reduce the demand on natural stocks.

The Fiscal Year 1999 Agriculture Appropriations bill will now face a joint House-Senate Conference and final House and Senate votes before its transmittal to the White House.