Funds to help battle borer

Subscribe Now Choose a package that suits your preferences.
Start Free Account Get access to 7 premium stories every month for FREE!
Already a Subscriber? Current print subscriber? Activate your complimentary Digital account.

The state Department of Agriculture is providing $450,000 to combat the coffee berry borer beetle.

The state Department of Agriculture is providing $450,000 to combat the coffee berry borer beetle.

The funds, distributed through Hawaii County’s Department of Research and Development, will pay for fungal sprays and a full-time specialist to administer the program.

The County Council accepted the funds by a 8-0 vote Wednesday.

Coffee growers can receive subsidies of up to $600 per year for each acre of land in production. Subsidies are capped at $9,000 per year.

Additionally, council members allocated $18,500 from their contingency funds to fund citrus sprays to combat coqui frogs.