The state Health Department last month halted delivery of Thai basil from a farm in Waianae and ordered crops destroyed after finding unacceptable levels of pesticide residue.
The Health Department said 5,000 pounds of Thai basil grown at Wong Hon Hin Inc.’s farm was destroyed Sept. 30.
Routine screening samples taken at a local produce distributor showed “illegal levels of the organophosphate insecticide Malathion on Thai basil,” the department said in a news release. “Department of Health conducted a trace-back investigation to identify the producer of the basil. Confirmatory samples taken at the farm revealed illegal pesticide levels on Thai basil growing at Wong Hon Hin Inc.”
With the affected crops destroyed, produce from the farm will now have to clear three consecutive months of sampling for pesticide contamination levels.
Suspect sought in attempted vehicle theft at UH-Hilo lot
Hawaii island police are investigating an attempted car theft at the University of Hawaii at Hilo on Thursday evening.
According to police, a 20-year-old Volcano man was walking to his sport utility vehicle when he saw a man inside the vehicle who was apparently trying to steal it.
The suspect exited the SUV and got into the passenger side of a truck parked next to the SUV. The victim attempted to restrain the suspect, who then assaulted the victim, police said.
The truck fled the lot and was last seen traveling west on West Kawili Street.
The victim suffered minor injuries and refused treatment.
The suspect is described as a Caucasian male, 5 feet 7 inches to 5 feet 9 inches tall, weighing 200 pounds, with a heavy build and fair complexion. He was last seen wearing pants and a T-shirt over a black long-sleeved shirt. His face was partially concealed. He is wanted on suspicion of attempted second-degree robbery.
The truck is described as an older-model, foreign two-wheel-drive pickup, light in color, with a darker bed.
Police ask anyone with information about the identity of the suspect or anything else about this case to call the Police Department’s nonemergency line at 935-3311 or contact Detective Robert Almeida, 961-2386 or robert.almeida@hawaiicounty.gov.
