Provide a single point of contact to coordinate and ensure that cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS) program objectives are met

The University of Hawaii at Manoa received a $101,671 Cooperative Agreement award from the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) under the Plant and Animal Disease, Pest Control, and Animal Care program (CFDA 10.025), effective July 1, 2025, through June 30, 2026. Under this agreement, the University serves as the single point of contact to coordinate and execute the Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey (CAPS) Program objectives throughout Hawaii. The cooperator will conduct statewide pest surveys, manage data entry into APHIS-approved databases including the National Agricultural Pest Information System (NAPIS), and provide outreach activities related to APHIS priority plant pests. Both positive and negative survey results will be documented to support early detection efforts.

The award directly benefits plant growers and producers affected by national and state priority pests, exporters of plant products, and the general public through enhanced pest detection and monitoring capabilities. No sub-awards were designated at the time of the award. The project addresses APHIS and state pest survey concerns while contributing to the broader mission of protecting U.S. agriculture from economically injurious plant diseases and pests. The agreement represents a collaborative approach to agricultural biosecurity in Hawaii's unique agricultural environment.

Purpose

The purpose of this agreement is to provide a single point of contact to coordinate and ensure that cooperative agricultural pest survey (CAPS) program objectives are met. This includes coordination of statewide surveys, data entry and outreach.

Activities

The cooperator will coordinate statewide surveys, enter survey data into aphis-approved databases and perform outreach related to aphis priority (PLANT) pests. Deliverables and expected outcomes: the project seeks to ensure that both aphis and state pest survey concerns are addressed with the goal of early detection. Both positive and negative data are entered into the national agricultural pest information system (NAPIS). Intended beneficiary(IES): growers/producers of plants affected by national and state priority pests, exporters of PLANT products, the general public. Subrecipient activities, if known or specified at the time of award: no subawards.