If the cuts go through and are not covered by state funding, the airport would be left with only four state inspectors to screen incoming cargo and passenger baggage and to check whether pests and invasive species are hitchhiking in plant material.
Risk of Invasive Species May Rise
Maui is facing a major cutback in invasive species inspectors if state legislation doesn’t come through that would appropriate funding.
The Maui News reports:
The state Department of Agriculture is seeking funding to retain nine Kahului Airport agricultural inspectors who face layoffs because nearly $900,000 in federal earmark money may be lost as early as January.
