Mark Ladao

Honolulu

Reporter at Honolulu Star-Advertiser

Reporter for @StarAdvertiser and guy who helps too many bugs

Articles

New House Agriculture Committee chair plans to prioritize invasive species, food security

1 week ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

The new chair of the House Committee on Agriculture and Food Systems said his focus will be on legislation addressing biosecurity and food security in the state. Rep. Cory Chun was appointed as the committee chair following recent changes in House leadership. Chun's district includes parts of Pearl City and Waipahu on Oʻahu. He's replacing former chair Kirstin Kahaloa, who's been named the new majority caucus leader.
Kona coffee farmers spared from ICE raids - so far

1 week ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

It appears that at least some local farmers have been spared from federal immigration enforcement, including rapid policy changes over the last few days. Agents from the Immigration and Customs Enforcement, or ICE, have stepped up arrests of immigrant workers around the country to fulfill one of the president's campaign promises. Over the last few months, raids and arrests have taken place in Hawaiʻi as well. Now, local farmers worry that their operations and workers will be impacted.
The Food Basket distributes $700,000 to dozens of Big Island ag operations

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

The Food Basket on Hawaiʻi Island has distributed around $700,000 in grants to over 30 island producers in an effort to promote local farming and improve food security. The Mālama Da Farmer Grants represent the island’s first grant program, which was funded by the federal American Rescue Plan Act to provide relief from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. The funding will help upscale farming operations, addressing systemic food issues facing the island and the state as a whole.
Māmaki labeling bill to be vetoed following outcry from Hawaiʻi farmers

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

Following an outcry from local farmers, Gov. Josh Green announced his intention to veto a labeling bill that would have affected māmaki sold in Hawaiʻi. As part of a broader, years-long trend to protect local farmers, consumers and the “Hawai'i-grown” label, state lawmakers introduced House Bill 496 and let it sail through this year’s legislative session.
UH SNAP-ed programs set to lose all of $1.5M in federal funding

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

A University of Hawaiʻi program that works with about 15,000 people a year is at risk after federal funding cuts. The SNAP-ed program is managed by UH Mānoa's College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience and the state Department of Health. It teaches residents how to plan meals, stretch their dollar, compare prices, and even grow their own vegetables. Staff are at public schools, farmers markets, and senior facilities.
The race begins to protect Honolulu palm trees from coconut rhinoceros beetles

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

If you’re at a city park in the Kakaʻako or Ala Moana areas on Oʻahu, you may see crews working on palm trees as part of a new effort to keep away the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle. The crews will be injecting about 800 trees with an insecticide so that they can serve as a barrier to protect the dense groves of palm trees in urban Honolulu.
New law creates a state broadband office to expand internet access

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

A state bill promoting greater access to the internet and digital literacy resources has been signed into law. On Monday, Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke, who's serving as acting governor, signed House Bill 934 to create Hawaiʻi's State Broadband Office within the state Department of Accounting and General Services.
Hawaiʻi County Council seeks more oversight with passage of vacation rental bill

2 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

The Hawaiʻi County Council has passed a measure requiring short-term rental owners to register their units with the county. Bill 47 is a partial revival of a set of measures that failed last year that would have overhauled zoning and operational laws on “transient vacation rentals” in the County of Hawaiʻi. It moved out of its final council hearing last week.
City Council passes $5.2B budget and 6-year sewer fee plan for Oʻahu

3 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

The Honolulu City Council has approved a $5.2 billion city budget along with a new plan to increase sewer fees. The council wrapped up its votes Wednesday night after a discussion that often centered around how it would fund billions of dollars of Oʻahu sewer infrastructure upgrades in the coming years. Ultimately, the council approved a city budget about 10% bigger than the $4.7 billion budget passed last year.
Big Island council passes $950M budget but denies $2M for food security

3 weeks ago | hawaiipublicradio.org | Mark Ladao

Hawaiʻi Island lawmakers passed a $950 million budget for the county, but denied a last-minute amendment to spend $2 million on food security programs. Councilmember Jennifer Kagiwada introduced the amendment after voicing concerns about federal cuts to food programs like SNAP. Cuts have already had an impact on residents of the island, which has the highest rate of food insecurity in the state.