Hawai’i has strict regulations in place to contain the spread of invasive forest pests both already in the state as well as those that have the potential to cause irreversible damage should they be introduced. Many of harmful insects and diseases can infest new areas when people travel with firewood. As a result, the following laws restrict the movement of firewood to protect forest health in Hawai’i and elsewhere.
Within and out of Hawai’i:
- Hawai’i prohibits the transport of all ‘Ōhi‘a plant or plant parts, including firewood, between any of the islands to slow the spread of the aggressive Ceratocystis wilt fungal pathogen which causes Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD)
- Unprocessed firewood cannot be taken out of Hawai’i due to the state’s giant African land snail infestation
- Palm tree material cannot legally be moved off the island of O`ahu due to the risk of spreading coconut rhinoceros beetle
From Other states into Hawai’i:
- Many visitors to Hawai’i come from areas infested with pests like imported fire ant or spongy moth. It is illegal to bring firewood into Hawai’i from any areas quarantined for these or other invasive pests.
- Hawai’i prohibits the importation of pine wood from the 20 states where the European pine shoot moth is known to occur without a certificate of approved heat-treatment.
This summary is accurate to the best of DMF staff abilities as of 3 October 2023.
Hawai’i Web Resources:
- Hawai’i Forest Institute, Pest and Disease Information Page
- Hungry Pests Hawai’i page, USDA APHIS
- Ōhi‘a Quarantine Permanent, Hawai’i Department of Agriculture
- Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death, University of Hawai’i at Manoa
- Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Newsletter
- Hawai’i Invasive Species Council: Invasive Species Information
- Pine Shoot Moth Quarantine
- Traveling From the US mainland to Hawai’i – Plant Industry Division
- Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
Firewood Business Related Information:
Special Note to Firewood and Wood Product Businesses and Importers: USDA APHIS requires that all importers obtain a Timber and Timber Products Import Permit and treat all firewood and unprocessed wood products before importing into Hawai’i from a foreign country. In general, firewood from another State may be imported into Hawai’i under the notice, labeling, and inspection requirements of section 150A-5 of the Hawai’i Revised Statutes (“HRS”) unless the species is subject to a specific quarantine in Hawai’i. Also refer to the following documents for additional information.
- Hawai’i Summary of Exterior Quarantines
- Traveling From the US mainland to Hawai’i
- Hawai’i State and Private Forestry Factsheets
Do you know of better links for Hawai’i? Help us out by clicking on the Submit A Link button below.