State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Name

State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture

Legal name

State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity

Website

https://hdoa.hawaii.gov

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity (DAB) is a state government agency employing 279 staff statewide to regulate, develop, and protect Hawaii's agriculture and aquaculture industries via quarantine, pest control, agricultural loans, and biosecurity enforcement.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Government Agricultural Services

NAICS

Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities (92614), Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150), Administration of Public Health Programs (923120)

SIC

Agricultural Services (700), Agricultural Chemicals (2870), Agricultural Prod-Livestock & Animal Specialties (200)

akta.pro primary industry

State/Provincial Environmental Protection & Natural Resources Administration (BPAIABAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Agriculture, Fisheries & Food Administration (BPAIAAAO), Biosecurity, Sanitation & Pest Control Services for Animal Facilities (AFAEALAI), Animal Health Policy, Standards & International Coordination (e.g., WOAH/FAO) (HLAMAJAO)

Keywords

• Agricultural regulatory services
• Plant quarantine inspection
• Animal disease control
• Agricultural loan programs
• Biosecurity enforcement services

Headquarters

HQ city

Honolulu

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Government Appropriations: Funded through State of Hawaii government budget appropriations rather than direct revenue generation. The department provides regulatory, inspection, and support services to the agricultural sector.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) is a state government department that provides regulatory, inspection, biosecurity, and developmental services for Hawaii's agriculture and aquaculture industries. Its core offerings include plant and animal quarantine inspection at ports of entry, pest and disease control (coconut rhinoceros beetle, coffee berry borer, avian influenza), agricultural loans to farmers, marketing support for Hawaii-grown products, measurement standards certification, pesticide regulation, hemp production oversight, animal disease control and veterinary laboratory services, and management of agricultural land leases and irrigation systems. The department employs 279 staff statewide to enforce agricultural regulations, prevent the introduction of harmful plants, animals, and diseases, and support agricultural economic development.

Product overview

The State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity (DAB) is a government agency providing regulatory, developmental, and protective services for Hawaii's agriculture and aquaculture industries. The department operates through multiple divisions and branches organized into functional areas: Plant Industry (Plant Quarantine Branch, Plant Pest Control, Pesticides Branch, Hemp Program), Animal Industry (Animal Disease Control Branch, Veterinary Lab, Aquaculture & Livestock Support, Animal Quarantine Services), Agricultural Development (Marketing, Agricultural Loan Division, Market Analysis), Quality Assurance (Commodities Branch, Measurement Standards Branch), and Ag Resource Management. The agency employs 279 staff statewide and focuses on supporting, enhancing, promoting, and protecting Hawaii's agriculture while preventing introduction of harmful plants, animals, and diseases.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Plant Quarantine Branch Oversees the import and export of plants in Hawaii, including programs for importing plants, exporting plants, importing microorganisms, and travel and shipping information. Used by importers, exporters, travelers, and shippers of plant materials entering or leaving Hawaii.
• Plant Pest Control Manages control of plant pests in Hawaii through new pest advisories, biological control, chemical and mechanical control programs, and the apiary program. Used by agricultural producers, beekeepers, and the public for pest identification and mitigation.
• Animal Disease Control Branch Protects Hawaii from animal diseases through disease control programs and oversight of the Avian Influenza and other livestock disease response efforts. Used by commercial livestock operators, veterinarians, and the public.
• Veterinary Laboratory Services Provides veterinary laboratory diagnostic services for animal disease detection and control across Hawaii. Used by veterinarians, livestock and aquaculture operators, and disease control program staff.
• Aquaculture and Livestock Support Services Branch Supports commercial aquaculture industries and livestock operations in Hawaii through operational support services. Used by aquaculture operators and livestock producers in the state.
• Hawaii Brand Registry Official registry for livestock branding used to track and identify animals in Hawaii. Used by livestock owners to register and maintain livestock brands.
• Agricultural Development Division Promotes and develops Hawaii's agricultural industry through programs and initiatives targeting export opportunities, commodity growth, and value-added product development. Used by Hawaii farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses seeking industry development support.
• Market Analysis and News Branch Provides market analysis and news updates for Hawaii's agricultural sector, supporting producer decision-making with current market information. Used by agricultural producers, processors, and marketers.
• Hawaii Agriculture and Food Products Database Online searchable database of Hawaii-grown agricultural and food products used to promote and locate locally produced goods. Used by buyers, distributors, and consumers seeking Hawaii-grown products.
• Marketing Division Runs marketing programs promoting Hawaii-grown agricultural products to expand market reach. Used by Hawaii agricultural producers and processors seeking market visibility for their products.
• Agricultural Loan Division Provides agricultural loans and financial assistance to Hawaii farmers and agricultural businesses, plus information on other funding sources. Used by agricultural producers seeking capital for farming operations.
• Agricultural Resource Management Division Manages agricultural land leases and irrigation systems statewide for Hawaii agricultural producers. Used by farmers and ranchers needing access to state agricultural land and irrigation water services.
• Commodities Branch Provides quality assurance services for agricultural commodities in Hawaii. Used by producers, processors, and buyers of agricultural commodities.
• Measurement Standards Branch Ensures accuracy and fairness in commercial measurements statewide through calibration, inspection, and certification. Used by businesses relying on commercial weighing and measuring devices.
• Pesticides Branch Regulates pesticide use, licensing, and applicator certification in Hawaii. Used by pesticide applicators, agricultural producers, and regulated businesses handling restricted-use pesticides.
• Hemp Production Program Oversees and regulates hemp production in Hawaii, including licensing and oversight of cultivators and processors. Used by hemp growers and processors operating in the state.
• Animal Quarantine Services Manages animal quarantine programs to keep Hawaii rabies-free, including quarantine services for dogs and cats arriving in the state. Used by residents and visitors bringing pets into Hawaii.
• Agricultural Crimes Unit Investigates and addresses crimes affecting Hawaii's agricultural industry, including theft, vandalism, and agricultural-related offenses. Used by agricultural producers reporting incidents and law enforcement partners.

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Washington State Department of Agriculture: State agriculture agency operating plant protection, animal services, commodity inspection, pesticide licensing, and marketing programs that closely mirror DAB's divisional structure.
• California Department of Food and Agriculture: State agriculture department with the closest functional parallel to DAB: plant and animal health programs, pest exclusion, marketing, and commodity regulation. Comparable in mandate breadth and statutory authority, though operating at much larger scale and budget.
• Texas Department of Agriculture: State agriculture department with parallel functions in commodity regulation, pest and disease programs, marketing, and agricultural loans. Comparable statutory scope, though it operates in a much larger and more diversified agricultural economy than Hawaiʻi.
• Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services: State-level agriculture agency overseeing plant industry, animal industry, agricultural products, consumer protection, and food safety in a climate-exposed island-like peninsula. Direct mandate overlap with DAB's plant/animal disease control and pesticide regulation functions.
• New York State Department of Agriculture and Markets: State agency administering agricultural regulatory, marketing, inspection, and consumer protection programs that map closely to DAB's portfolio across plant, animal, and quality assurance divisions.
• Oregon Department of Agriculture: State agriculture department with parallel plant health, animal health, food safety, and pesticide regulatory programs. Functions and divisional structure closely resemble DAB's.

Broad incumbents

• USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS): Federal-level counterpart that DAB coordinates with on plant and animal health, quarantine, and pest eradication. APHIS operates the national framework that state agencies like DAB implement and enforce locally.
• Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources: Sister state agency that shares jurisdiction with DAB on natural resource protection, invasive species on state lands, and conservation programs. Sister-agency relationship and overlapping biosecurity scope make it a structural peer.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hdoapio
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/agriculture-hawaii-department-of

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about State of Hawaii Department of Agriculture