Feds lift restrictions
on Hawaii bananas

Associated Press

HILO -- For the first time since World War II, Hawaii banana growers can send their produce to the mainland without treating it for fruit flies.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has lifted its requirement that all bananas be treated, allowing some varieties to be shipped without the treatment, though only when full size, green and without cuts or punctures. Growers looking to export their crops must get USDA certification.

The rule changes went into effect late last year, and were outlined at a meeting Wednesday in Hilo for growers and workers.

Anticipating higher sales because of the changes, Richard Ha of Keaau Banana Plantation already has expanded his plantings of apple bananas. The new market is "in the development stage," said Ha, whose company is making inquiries to the mainland to try to gauge how the fruit will be received.