Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
SAN FRANCISCO – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced settlements in two cases involving agricultural worker protection with Olomana Orchids Inc., in Kaneohe, and Mari’s Gardens LLC, in Mililani. Both nurseries are located on the island of Oʻahu.
“Reducing pesticide exposure is a high priority for EPA. With our state partners, we’re focused on protecting agricultural workers and pesticide handlers,” said EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator Martha Guzman. “All farms, nurseries, and agricultural establishments must follow pesticide label instructions and ensure their workers are properly trained to safely use and apply pesticides and work in treated areas.”
“The EPA’s Worker Protection Standard helps to protect the health and safety of Hawai‘i’s agricultural workers and their families,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “All agricultural operations should make it a priority to ensure the proper use of pesticides and to require proper training for workers.”
Olomana Orchids will pay $2,505 for failing to ensure that two of its workers had been trained in accordance with the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA) Worker Protection Standard (WPS). Mari’s Gardens will pay $1,173 for failing to provide complete decontamination supplies to its handlers in accordance with the WPS. The State of Hawaiʻi conducted inspections at each nursery in 2021 and referred both cases to the EPA in 2023 for resolution.
Further information about EPA’s Occupational Pesticide Safety and Health programs can be found on their website. For reporting possible violations of environmental laws and regulations, visit EPA's enforcement reporting website.
