HILO, Hawai'i — Gov. Linda Lingle's plans to lay off about 80 percent of the state's agriculture inspectors will hit the Big Island the hardest, where a small number of inspectors already scramble to get produce and nursery stock certified for export.

At stake in the cutbacks are Kona's world-famous coffee, macadamia nuts, Hilo's orchid and cut-flower industry and even international shipments of papaya, officials said.

Statewide, agriculture accounts for just 3 percent of the gross state product, but that percentage is much larger on the Big Island.

"Because the export industry on the Big Island is so significant, this could have a huge impact," said state Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (South Hilo, Puna, Ka'u). "It's going to affect everything that's going to be exported."

Lingle and Department of Agriculture Chairwoman Sandra Kunimoto did not specify exactly how many employees from the department's Plant Industry and Quality Assurance divisions are being terminated.

State lawmakers worry that California will put an embargo on Hawai'i goods if it is not satisfied that cargo is being properly inspected.