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Hawaii Sen. Daniel Akaka is proposing federal legislation that would increase the nation’s — and Hawaii’s — defenses against invasive species that threaten ecosystems and cause millions of dollars in damage to the agricultural industry.

“Invasive species could permanently devastate Hawaii’s fragile ecosystem, and in the process, destroy our state’s economy and character,” Akaka said at a field hearing in Honolulu Thursday, where Gov. Neil Abercrombie and state officials briefed the senator on the poor state of Hawaii’s border inspection measures.

Hawaii is believed to be particularly vulnerable to damage from non-native species.

George Phocas, in charge of law enforcement for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in Hawaii, testified that out of the 400 species that are listed as threatened or endangered under federal law, at least 374 are found in Hawaii, and that invasive species are a main culprit.

Akaka’s bill would beef up agricultural inspections conducted under the auspices of the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol.

A controversial transfer of numerous federal agencies to the Department of Homeland Security following the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks is believed to have decreased the effectiveness and efficiency of agricultural inspections. Studies show that the number of invasive species being intercepted at the nation’s borders decreased, said Akaka.

Port inspectors were also transferred from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which is primarily dedicated to safeguarding against terrorist attacks. Some say this caused a culture shock, with CBP inspectors referring to the new agricultural inspectors in places like Florida as the “mango police.”

Akaka’s bill would establish an Office of Agricultural Inspection under the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, which would give agricultural specialists a separate office and line of authority.

Previous attempts to restore the autonomy of the Department of Agriculture have failed. Akaka told Civil Beat after the hearing that his legislation would avoid the time and cost involved in trying to restore the department to what it was pre-2002.

If greater actions aren’t taken to increase Hawaii’s defense against invasive species, than the results could be severe, said Rep. Clifton Tsuji and Sen. Clarence Nishihara, who chair the Legislature’s agriculture committees. They testified that there is a need to increase inspectors in Hawaii, noting that there are about 400 inspectors that check cargo and luggage leaving the state and only about 100 inspecting what comes into the state.

Previous species that were singled out as having major impacts on Hawaii’s ecosystem include the axis deer, which are seen as the major threat to plant species, and the coffee borer beetle that is devastating coffee crops on the Big Island.

There is also a growing fear of the brown tree snake that has caused havoc in Guam, decimating species and crawling through electrical cables, causing power outages. Eight such snakes have been found in Hawaii since 1981.

With Hawaii’s military presence increasing in Guam, concern has been heightened. This past year, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s budget for inspecting the cargo coming from Guam to Hawaii was cut. The Department of Defense has funded it this year, but next year there is no promise of funding.

At the state level, the budget for inspections was cut by 53 percent in 2009.

Abercrombie praised Akaka’s bill and urged the need for federal support in light of the state’s continued fiscal difficulties.

“I must be candid with you and straightforward about it,” said Abercrombie. “Your bill is actually crucial in this quest.”

He noted the competing priorities of the Legislature, such as education, health care and human services.

Abercrombie said that without more support for invasive species control, the consequences for Hawaii could be dire.

DISCUSSION: Do you think more needs to be done to protect Hawaii from the threat of invasive species?