Agriculture check at Kauai airport

Hi folks,

I%26#39;d like to bring some spices and other food items so that I can cook without having to buy all the necessary supplies at the store (when I already have the stuff and won%26#39;t need a lot of it.)

Two questions:

1) I%26#39;ve read about an agriculture check at the airport. Does this happen both entering and exiting Kauai...or just exiting?

2) I am assuming I will be okay with my oregano, etc., - it%26#39;s just fresh produce that they don%26#39;t want you to bring in/take out, correct?

Not that I%26#39;ll be too upset if my spices are confiscated, I just like to know things ahead of time. :)

Thanks!

Agriculture check at Kauai airport

You should be fine with just spices - remember if you bring any tabasco or other liquids that it must also be in 3 oz containers in a 1 quart Ziploc.

REI and other camping stores carry great little plastic containers that have %26#39;wedges%26#39; for spices (kind of like vitamin/pill organizers) that may be just the thing to help keep everything in one place.

Agriculture check at Kauai airport

The size of what ever container you are bringing makes a difference.

A couple of weeks ago, leaving LIH for a mainland visit, security spotted something and searched my one lonely duffel.

I had a tube of hand lotion, that was over their volume requirement. That was confiscated. So take note of the max amount that is allowed of any item.

Denny

Those size limits are applicable to only carry-on baggage, right? Here on the mainland you can put just about anything into your checked luggage.

Also interested in the question about the ag check ENTERING Kauai. Is there one? And, if so, what kinds of things are prohibited. I have read about the ag inspection leaving Kauai, but not entering and now this post. If I bring with me to Kauai a box of cereal in my checked luggage, is that okay?

Oh, yes - you can put anything in your luggage without worrying about the 3 oz limit - but unless you have a hard sided suitcase or like crumbs for breakfast, I wouldn%26#39;t put cereal in your suitcase... =]

I don%26#39;t think there is an ag inspection when you get TO the island, but someone who%26#39;s been there more recently can chime in for sure...

Thanks bluefamingo. With the cost of groceries in Kauai though, we%26#39;re bringing our own cereal (super well-packed of course).

The rules about fresh produce is that you are not supposed to be bringing any fresh fruit or vegetables (especially whole ones) when coming to the islands. ';Ammnesty'; boxes are provided at the gates when you arrive in Hawaii so you can get rid of anything not eaten on the plane.

Dried herbs, raisins, etc are all good - we bring stuff all the time when we go (why buy a $4 container of garlic powder when you can get it for $1 at home and bring it with you).

The agriculture check is done when you depart Hawaii - your bags will be sent through 2 different scans - one for the ag guys %26amp; one for TSA. The only time your bag will be searched when arriving is if the little beagles think your oregano has five leaves...

Thanks Kauai No Ka Oi --- that info is very helpful.

When we arrived in Hawaii from the mainland, they asked if any one had fresh produce onboard and handed out declaration forms.....I had an orange in my back pack and duly noted it on a form, was never asked to forfeit it, so carried it onto Kauai with me with no problems.....

Side note on the price of cereal....it was very reasonable at WalMart.......

If you do pack your own, could you please share with us how you protect it....In the last two flights those luggage gorillas have managed to (not just crack) but absolutely fracture the hard plastic cap of hubbies shaving cream.....

mombear----I%26#39;ve been reading stories about prices being twice what they are here and really don%26#39;t want to pay $8 for a box of cereal. Is that not right? I can see how some hard-sided plastics might be damaged in the luggage, but I had just planned to repack the cereal in freezer-type ziploc bags(using several at a time), then sealing it, then sealing it again with tape--duct tape if necessary! We get in late to Kauai and we won%26#39;t be able to stock up on anything before going to our resort and need something first thing a.m. as we%26#39;ll be up with the roosters before Foodland opens at 6 a.m. Sorry to hear about the shaving cream-----that must have be a nice surprise in the suitcase.

Aloha from Kaua%26#39;i!

I can pretty much guarantee you that you won%26#39;t be paying $8.00 for a box of cereal - I buy large boxes of Cheerios for my Mom at my local market for about $4.50 or so.

Things are more expensive than on the mainland, sure, but no need to go crazy and bring the kitchen sink with you - fresh fruit is inexpensive here and a great option for breakfast - papayas, bananas, etc. are all found at our farmers markets for very little money. Enjoy what we have here locally and you won%26#39;t be paying the big prices for the imported stuff.

Malama Pono,

Janet