The Hawaiʻi State Department of Agriculture issued a travel alert to prevent the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) as travelers head to Hawaiʻi Island for the Merrie Monarch Festival this week.

Quarantine restrictions on transporting ʻōhiʻa plants (including its flowers, seeds, wood, or soil from infected areas) off island are still in place. The Department is advising all travelers to refrain from taking any ʻōhiʻa to help stop the spread of the disease.

To learn more about Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death and how to prevent it visit www.RapidOhiaDeath.org.