Dog Gone: Hawaii Airport Looking for Pest-Sniffing Specialists

The airport on the Hawaiian island of Maui has been without its two alien species sniffer dogs since April, thanks to a lack of inspector/handlers.

The state Department of Agriculture has tried twice to recruit replacements. It is not trying a third time, consternating some farmers, whose crops can be devastated by imported pests. A species of tree called wiliwili has been nearly eradicated by a foreign wasp.

Departing passengers are inspected to protect California farmers, but that is a federal responsibility.

The state said it has several open positions for inspectors at the airport, with or without dog-handling responsibilities. And with several retirements in sight, it will have more.

To read the full Maui News story, click here.