Active response updates

• Little Fire Ant (LFA): 
  • OAHU LFA UPDATE: Oahu has had an eventful year concerning Little Fire Ants. Since December 2018, there have been 13 new detections of established LFA colonies in residential, agricultural, and commercial spaces on Oahu. Three of the thirteen sites have gone through a complete treatment regimen and are now in a monitoring phase.  An infested plant was also recovered that had been distributed at a plant sale, the plant and potting material were destroyed. Fortunately, an early detection coupled with repeat monitoring suggests the ants did not have enough time to establish a new infestation site. We are working with many different plant sales on Oahu to help them become more conscious and educated about LFA and methods they can take to prevent further spread. We welcome returning HAL team member, Matthew Kema, to the Oahu crew. We are also currently in the process of hiring a new, full time, employee for HAL Oahu. We continue to rely on public awareness to aid us in detecting new LFA infestations. Almost all of our sites were initially reported to us from concerned members of the public. In 2019, we received a total of 162 separate ant samples, and assisted over 200 members of the public in diagnosing their ant problems.
    
    Photo above: Little Fire Ant colony in folds of weed matting.
  • HAWAII ISLAND: The Kona Office has been busy assisting with farmers and residents on the west side of the island. House Bill 1849 currently at the Legislature would add an additional staff that is greatly needed for the high demand of constituents in need of assistance with fire ants. In the Hilo Office, research continues on the development of organic bait options. For updates, please visit our website: www.littlefireants.com   The extension team has a lot of good events planned for 2020 to help educate the public about our new findings.
    
    NEW PRODUCTS: There are two new tools to manage LFA: Antixx and Firefighter. These are granular baits made of corn grit, soaked in oil, and lased with the active ingredient of spinosad. These products have a broad label that can be found on the currently licensed pesticide listing found here: https://data.hawaii.gov/Health/Currently-Licensed-Pesticide-Listing/ufr5-uv4x
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  • Photo above: Heather Forester, Invasive Ant Extension Specialist at Hawai`i Ant Lab, with outreach & education materials at a recent Hawai`i Farmers Union United (HFUUhi.org) convention. 
  • If you find that you or your organization has an issue with invasive ants, please feel free to contact the Hawaii Ant Lab at (808) 315-5656. We are here to assist with best management plans for any situation.
  • • The Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) has continued coordinating Little Fire Ant (LFA) eradication efforts with HDOA, ISCs, CGAPS, and other agencies on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. Though it may seem disheartening that LFA are being detected, it shows an increased awareness of this invasive species. These detections have population sizes that indicate the ants have been there for some time. This reinforces the need to test your properties for LFA at least once per year, and to test any high risk items you are bringing onto a property. Vigilance is key.
    • 
    • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) are TINY! Only about 1/8" in length, but pack a sting like an ELECTRIC SHOCK! In Australia, LFA are called "Electric Ants" due to their shocking sting!
  • • Additional outbreaks of Little Fire Ants have been detected on neighbor islands, some of which may be linked to the movement of personal items. As a reminder, Little Fire Ants are hitchhikers and can catch a ride on nearly anything. We can accidentally bring them with us when we travel or move to another island, so test all belongings and ensure you don’t bring this pest home with you!

• Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB):
  • 
  • Photo above & below: After hundreds of hours surveying for CRB habitat in Iroquois Point, CRB Response crew have recently discovered breeding sites in unexpected places. At some of these sites, hundreds of CRB are being found in dead, decomposing stump material that is either partially or completely grown over by grass. Other areas include a relatively small portion of rotting trunk material at the base of living trees. The majority of breeding sites found in Hawai`i consist of open and exposed piles of compost or mulch material, so it wasn’t standard protocol to search large grassy areas for relatively small areas of hidden accumulations of decomposing material. Between July 2019 and February 2020, a total of 631 CRB have been removed from 10 active breeding sites. Additionally, 27 potential (non-active) breeding sites have been identified and will be monitored over time. The CRB Response is working closely with Kapilina Beach Homes to treat these sites by removing as much viable breeding material as possible, backfilling with gravel, sand, and/or topsoil, and incorporating pesticide. Outreach efforts to raise awareness about these finds have increased and include hosting community events and emailing residents about field crew activities. The hope is that this find will account for a significant portion of the known population in the area and there will soon be a decrease in trap finds and tree damage. Stay tuned!
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  • For more information or pictures, please contact the CRB Response at 679-5244 or BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com
• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
  • The updated Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Strategic Plan has just been published and is available for reading and downloading here: www.rapidohiadeath.org
  • This document outlines efforts and progress made in understanding the disease, its pathology, and the various science-driven management activities implemented across the state for long-term health of our forests. It also provides recommendations for priority actions, complete with cost estimates.
  • 
  • Photo above: Rapid `Ohi`a Death informational display in baggage claim area of Daniel K. Inouye International Airport (HNL) in Honolulu, O`ahu.
  • The fungi (Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia) that kill ʻōhiʻa are known as “wound pathogens”. That means in order for the tree to become infected, the tree has to have a wound – a wound that penetrates the bark. Wounds allow the microscopic fungal spores to enter a tree. Trees can be wounded in different ways – when high winds break branches, by scuffing tree roots when hiking, when blazing trails in the forest, by pruning trees in your yard. And there’s another way: when animals such as pigs, goats, cattle, or sheep peel or rub bark off trees. Studies on Hawaiʻi Island show that areas without such animals have much lower prevalence of ROD. Often, these areas are fenced to keep animals out. Data for unfenced areas show an opposite pattern. In these areas, where ungulates roam, trees get wounded and there can be a much greater prevalence of ʻōhiʻa that have died due to ROD. The two take-aways here: 1) it’s important not to wound ʻōhiʻa; and 2) it’s important to protect ʻōhiʻa from hooved animals.
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  • Photo above: `Ohi`a lehua lei by UH CTAHR Extension Agent, Dr. J.B. Friday
  • Merrie Monarch hula season is upon us soon and we wish to share a friendly reminder that there is a quarantine rule prohibiting ʻōhiʻa related products (soil, lei material, seeds, etc) from being transported off of Hawaiʻi Island. If you are in Hilo for the festival and want to make your own lei please apply for a permit with the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) if picking on State lands, and follow permit guidelines for picking. Consider using alternatives to ʻōhiʻa like red ti, ʻaʻaliʻi, bottlebrush, red dyed hau, etc.
  • Please contact Ambyr Mokiao-Lee (ambyr[at]hawaii.edu) for more information.
  • Please Follow & Like our Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RapidOhiaDeath/ 
  • Newsletter:  To view the current issue of the newsletter click the link as follows: http://mailchi.mp/e1ed2686c31b/rapid-hia-death-newsletter
    • To opt-in to receive future newsletters please click on link here: http://eepurl.com/cY7z0j
  • Research Update: 
    • Learn more about the ROD Seed Banking Initiative and sign up for future workshops at ohialove.com.

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    Sanitize for inter-island travel! 
    Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death disease (ROD) has been detected on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Maui and Oʻahu. If you or someone you know will be traveling inter-island, please take extra care to clean your shoes and gear before and after traveling between islands to prevent the spread of ROD. First brush the dirt off, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. If hiking, remember to stay off of ʻōhiʻa roots –walking on roots can break bark and expose the trees to ROD-causing fungi.
    

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  • What is the latest recommendation for what to do with infected ʻōhiʻa wood?     Keep wood onsite. Don’t turn it into mulch as that creates more material to spread disease. If felling a tree, cut with a sharpened tool on a low-wind, drizzly day to keep infectious material from moving around. Make as few cuts as possible. Wood can be safely burned in an imu, barbecue, smokehouse, or fireplace. Otherwise, keep it covered with a tarp to keep boring ambrosia beetles from attacking or escaping from the wood.
• Recommended Actions to Prevent the Spread of ROD:
  • 1) Keep your eyes open. If you see ʻōhiʻa with a limb or crown turning brown, take a picture, and contact KISC via email (saveohia@hawaii.edu) or phone (808-821-1490). Samples of the wood must be taken by trained technicians and tested in a laboratory to confirm the presence of the ROD fungi.
  • 2) Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Wounds serve as entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will become infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment wherever possible.
  • 3) Clean gear and tools, including shoes and clothes, before and after entering the forest and areas where ʻōhiʻa may be present. Brush all soil off tools and gear, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. Wash clothes with hot water and soap.
  • 4) Wash your vehicle with a high-pressure hose or washer if you’ve been off-roading or have picked up mud from driving. Clean all soil off tires--including mountain bikes and motorcycles--and vehicle undercarriage.
  • The disease can be spread to new areas by moving plants, plant parts, and wood from infected areas to non-infected areas.
• MEDIA RESOURCES
  (All images/video courtesy: DLNR)
  • HD video-field survey training, digital sketch mapping (May 11, 2018)
    https://vimeo.com/269082425 (shot sheet attached)
  • HD video-Kauai Rapid Ōhiʻa Death video news release (May 11, 2018)
    https://vimeo.com/269288041
  • Photographs-digital sketch mapping, field survey training:
  • https://www.dropbox.com/sh/mq70cw6a28ntdvv/AADuifNH5sjB19l0e0ZSRz7ba?dl=0
  • Video-Ceratocystis: Tale of Two Species & Screening for Resistance:
    https://vimeo.com/258657188
  • For more on Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death:
    https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/
    Credit: Kauai Invasive Species Committee/Kim S. Rogers:
  • https://www.dropbox.com/sh/bfvw1jtvzfiwv21/AABcDlc_BMwJqMDwUWaok36-a?dl=0
    Seanne Igne (Protection Forester/DOFAW) is pictured while conducting Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping surveys via helicopter.
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• Photo above: Kalalau Valley courtesy of Nate Yuen

• Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • 
  • Photo above & below: Division of Aquatic Resources’ (DAR) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Team has finished sorting organisms to send for genetic and taxonomic analysis retrieved from the first of twenty autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) that were deployed throughout the main Hawaiian Islands in May of 2018. ARMS were placed in commercial harbors that included: Nawiliwili, Kauai; Kahului, Maui; Honolulu, Oahu; Kalaeloa/Barbers point, Oahu; Hilo, Big Island. The first ARMS unit was pulled from Honolulu Harbor on August 12 and brought to the Bishop Museum for analysis and organism preservation. In collaboration with the Bishop Museum, DAR hopes to expand on the baseline of aquatic non-indigenous species established in and nearby commercial harbors and supplement genetic databases with confirmed taxonomic samples. Robust genetic databases are important for future genetic monitoring efforts of harbors and nearby waters.
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  • DAR’s ballast water and biofouling program has made some big steps in the legislative process toward gaining appropriate funding for staffing and program necessities. SB 2935 related to aquatic biosecurity has moved past its second hearing in the Senate and is one step closer to becoming a reality. This bill requests the allocation of 10 new positions to the program which will build capacity to effectively co-enforce vessel discharge regulation with the U.S Coast Guard (USCG) and prevent the introduction of nonnative species through the vector of vessel traffic.
  • On February 19^th, a dry dock that had been stationed in Bellingham, Washington for 30 years was transferred to Hawaiian waters. In effort to decrease the  biosecurity risk DAR had been in contact with the new owners of the dry dock to ensure the hull was cleaned and biofouling organisms were removed before reaching Hawai‘i. Now that the dry dock has arrived, DAR has performed a biofouling assessment on the freshly cleaned hull to ensure the cleaning was effective and the dry dock is not a threat to the potential introduction.
  • Photo below: DAR’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Field Team has continued Kāne‘ohe Bay invasive species control, monitoring, and restoration efforts. Invasive algae management continues in the bay in the form of monitoring and sea urchin out-plantings. Annual Long-Term Reef monitoring will begin again in March on priority patch reefs. Stocking of sea urchins continues on priority reefs to maintain invasive algae at levels below 5% coverage.
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  • Photo above: DAR’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Field Team has begun building on the success of collector urchin out-plantings in Kāne‘ohe  Bay, by beginning out-planting hatchery-raised native sea urchins in the Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District (MLCD).  Recently, DAR Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) team introduced the first of 100,000 native sea urchins (Tripneustes gratilla), to help control over 4 acres of invasive algae.
  • See the Full story at: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/2020/02/27/sea-urchins-helping-to-control-invasive-seaweed-honolulu/
  • DAR participated in the GEF-UNDP-IMO Glofouling Seminar which is aimed to push for action for global biofouling regulations and standards. They have produced webisodes showcasing the different issues around biofouling  https://www.glofouling.imo.org/webinars . The latest seminar was hosted by Agnese Marchini from Universita di Pavia which covered the role of biofouling in recreational sailing, yachting and, marinas as a pathway for non-indigenous species (NIS). 
• Division Of Forestry And Wildlife (DOFAW)
  • Please visit the link above for general information. 
• Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.

• Please visit the link above for general information.
• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD)
  • ROD Reminder: Anyone on ROD-free islands with suspect trees should call their local Invasive Species Committee (see links below under University of Hawaii's Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit) so that any samples go through HDOA's Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) and not through the regular post – More information can be found at www.rapidohiadeath.org.

• Mamalu Poepoe (Sphere of Protection) Project - Mamalu Poepoe is a project funded by the Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT) for a period of 5 years. The program is being coordinated through the Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) and aims at increasing surveillance of invasive species at six airport facilities on the islands of Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Maui and Hawaii. The program targets Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB), Africanized honeybees (AHB), ants and mosquitoes.
• The Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) is the lead agency for the work on ants, CRB and AHB and the Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) is the lead agency for the work on mosquitoes. Mamalu Poepoe is partnering with the Invasive Species Committees (ISC’s) and the Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) to conduct the monitoring activities. 

• Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) 
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • ROD - Led by team leader Bill Buckley, our rapid ohi’a death early detection and rapid response (ROD EDRR) crew along with collaborators were presented with the ‘Legacy’ award by the Hawaii Tourism Authority. The 2019 HTA theme was ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua and perpetuating the Hawaiian culture and preserving this keystone species for generations to come. The ROD crew celebrated with an award luncheon (and a day off from fieldwork) at the Hilton Waikoloa. The team continues to sample suspect trees in remote areas such as Hakalau.
    Plants - 
    • Markhamia lutea, a BIISC rapid response species, was discovered at another property in South Kona. To date, all property owners have let the BIISC crew control this invasive tree on private property.
    • In the last few months, the BIISC crew has responded to several calls of reported pampas grass, but none turned out to be the notorious noxious weed. We are very close to declaring pampas eradicated from the Big Island!
  • OUTREACH - The general public is increasingly aware of established insects, parasites, and pathogens on Hawaii Island. BIISC partnered with CTAHR and NRCS to develop a pest alert for the Two-Lined Spittlebug, Prosapia bicincta, an insect destroying prime pasture land on the Westside. Franny Brewer presented information on this topic at the Annual Cattlemen's Convention.
  • RLW - Rat lungworm (Angiostrongyliasis) research and recommendations are essential outreach topics. The outreach team learned about the latest research at The 6th International Workshop on Angiostrongylus and Angiostrongyliasis, held in Hilo in January. Requests for BIISC presentations on RLW are increasingly common. Recently, we have presented to the Girl Scouts and other keiki groups, Hawaii Community College agriculture program students, several neighborhood associations, and the entire BIISC crew.
  • QLB - Acalolepta aesthetica, commonly known as Queensland Longhorn beetle, has established in the Puna and Hilo areas of Hawaii island. Although little is known about behavior and control, a community meeting was held on Feb 3 to inform the public about current understandings and research directions. Elected officials, fruit growers, and residents were in attendance to learn more about QLB from HDOA and USDA researchers, cacao growers, and local farmers dealing with the insect. 
    
    
  • Photo above: Jade Miyashiro, LFA technician, gives a hands-on tango mixing demonstration to a neighborhood group in Kona.
     
• Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • February on Kauai featured a variety of events celebrating Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month.   Our HISAM highlights included an invasive species scavenger hunt at the World Wetlands Day celebration at Kawaiele Waterbird Sanctuary, with DLNR, and a volunteer invasive species removal work day in Kokee Forest, with KRCP, both well attended.   Volunteer events still ahead next week include the Kahili beach cleanup, with HILT, and the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge “Weed & Feed,” tackling invasive species removal at the refuge, with USFWS.
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  • Photo above: The Kauai community turned out in force to support the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project and experience the University of Hawaii at Manoa Wind Ensemble’s moving performance of “Symphony of the Birds” in Lihue.   The event delighted the capacity crowd at the KCC Performing Arts Center auditorium, many of whom also spent time visiting KISC and ROD displays at the event.      
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  • Photo above: Seven members of KISC crew and staff completed a 3-day Wilderness First Aid certification course held at the CTAHR Agricultural Research Station in February.  Also attending were participants from partner agencies including DOFAW, the Kauai Forest Birds Restoration Program, and the PEPP program.
  • Coqui frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui 
  • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) 
  • Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) 
• Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.

  • General PR: In January, MISC began the process of relocating our base yard and offices from the UH-CTAHR property on Piiholo Road. While we are still trying to pin down a final destination, operations are temporarily housed on private property in Haiku. MISC will be completely off the property by the end of September. 
    
    Alongside the Maui Conservation Alliance, MISC hosted Maui Nui Natural Areas Weed Management Forum. Over 80 people attended the one-day event, held at UH Maui College. Presentations focused on fieldwork on Maui. Dr.’s Ryan Perroy and Tracy Johnson came from Hilo to discuss the use of drones and biological control in conservation.
    
    MISC has hired eight people since the first of the year. Positions have been added to the miconia and coqui field crews and some hires are filling capacity for departing administrative staff and coordinating our coqui community engagement program. Additionally, MISC hired two contract crews of interns: a six-person crew for the Hana-based miconia program and a five-person crew to work on coqui frogs.
    
    Plants: Crew have been scouring Haleakala Ranch for pampas grass and sweeps and sweeping low-elevation forests above Huelo for outlying populations of miconia. In Central Maui the crew has been working on a population of ivy gourd in near the Waiehu golf course that stretches for several miles along the coastline and into residential areas.  The fountain grass infestation in Puuokali is down to under 20 plants from what was initially thousands. The Hana based miconia crew is focusing efforts on roadside buffers to accidental vectoring along the roadway.
    
    Little Fire Ants: Working around weather patterns, the crew have been treating as much as possible. They conducted the fourth helicopter treatment of 150+ acres Nahiku, along with the ground treatments of smaller infestations in Twin falls, Waihee, Kaanapali and Kaeleku. Extensive surveys downstream from Twin Falls detected one sample with little fire ants. No ants were detected downstream from Waihee, but surveys are ongoing. 
    
    Coqui Frogs: The coqui crew has borne the brunt of relocating equipment and citric acid to a separate facility. Fieldwork has been focused on eradicating multi-acre outlying populations of frogs in Eastern Haiku.  Single-frog and very small incipient populations have been reduced or removed in Kihei, Waikapu, Wailuku, and Wailea. 

     

• Molokai-Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
• O`ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) 
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • Miconia (Miconia calvescens) 
    • If you suspect miconia, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
  • Devil Weed (Chromolaena odorata) 
    • If you suspect devil weed, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
  • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) 
    • For details on how to collect and submit ant for ID, visit: http://stoptheant.org/report-little-fire-ants/ (LFA)
      • Oʻahu has (x) locations in Halawa, Kāneʻohe, ʻĀhuimanu, Lanikai, Kualoa, Makiki Heights, Pauoa, and Lāʻie currently being treated for LFA. OISC and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture are accepting ant samples for identification. Finding LFA early is essential for effective eradication. Collecting and submitting ants is quick and easy. OISC and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture are accepting ant samples for identification. Visit www.stoptheant.org for more information.
  • Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) 
    • If you see ‘ōhiʻa that is dead or dying with brown leaves still attached, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
  • Naio Thrips (Klambothrips myopori) 
    • OISC is still conducting early detection surveys and removing both infested naio plants as well as landscaped naio that is not yet infested. Have a naio plant in your yard? OISC will replace it with an alternative native plant if you remove your naio BEFORE it gets infested. Our goal is to protect wild naio populations by removing landscaped naio so the thrips do not have harbors that allow them to move around the island. These wild naio plants provide important habitat for native seabirds, forest birds, bees, and other fauna. Report naio plants to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.

• Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • 2020-2025 Strategic Plan
• 
• Hawaii Governor David Y. Ige proclaimed the month of February, 2020, as Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) for the third year on February 14, 2020. HISAM is an expansion on the past 7 years of hosting the Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Week and is organized in coordination with the U.S. National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW). NISAW raises awareness of how people can protect natural ecosystems for future generations by preventing the spread of invasive species. HISAM seeks to promote information sharing and public engagement in what the Hawaii State Legislature has declared “the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii’s people.”

• Invasive species cause serious damage in Hawai‘i every day, and the month of February is spent celebrating community and business leaders who help in the fight to protect Hawai‘i from pests. HISAM is coordinated by the interagency Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) and includes awards and volunteer events across the state.
  
  Community events occurring throughout the month can be found at http://hisc.hawaii.gov. Some events include both educational presentations and volunteer work days controlling invasive plants and restoring native forests and nearshore waters. Other events include weeding in Napuʻu Natural Area Reserve on Hawaiʻi Island, learning about little fire ant at talk story events on Maui, or attending the Symphony of Hawaiian Birds on Kauai.
  
  DLNR Staff kicked off the 2020 HISAM with a clean-up event of their own by removing invasive species from the native garden located at the Kalanimoku Building in downtown Honolulu. Employees from the various divisions were invited to get their hands dirty weeding, picking up rubbish, and planting native trees and shrubs like ʻōhiʻa, kupukupu, and the state flower, maʻo hau hele. “It was a great way to educate our own DLNR folks about how to watch out for invasive species that could be in their own yards, like little fire ants or coconut rhinoceros beetles,” explained Chelsea Arnott, planner for HISC.

  During last Fridayʻs State Capitol event, Governor Ige and State Legislators recognized individuals and businesses for their outstanding service to Hawaiʻi in the fight against invasive species at the 2020 HISAM Awards ceremony. Seven awardees were recognized in the following categories:

  2020 HISAM Award Winners

  • Business Leader: Recognizes an individual in the private sector or a business that has demonstrated leadership in their role of protecting Hawaii from invasive species.
    • 
    • Photo above: Congratulations to Kualoa Ranch (John Morgan, CEO) Accepting award from Senator Gil Riviere on Kualoa Ranch's behalf - Taylor Kellerman & Julia Lee.
    • Kualoa Ranch has set the bar in Hawaii for how entities, business, government or private individual, responds to an invasive species issue. Kualoa has always been responsive to Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), but when the Ranch noticed something wasn’t quite “right” about ants they, which they submitted to the Hawaii Ant Laboratory (HAL) for identification. When the ID came back as Wasmannia auropunctata, the little fire ant (LFA), the response by Kualoa Ranch was quick and effective. Kualoa Ranch leadership and staff made it clear the presence of an LFA infestation was unacceptable not just from a business standpoint, but from Kualoa Ranch’s broader responsibility to the rest of the island of Oahu. This epitomizes HDOA’s past relationship with Kualoa Ranch and its commitment to environmental stewardship. Kualoa Ranch engaged in a partnership with HDOA and HAL to eradicate the 20-acre LFA infestation from their land. A 20-acre infestation is large, especially when the infestation goes up into trees and on into the canopy of those trees. Normally, institutions and organizations require institutional momentum change. Like a boat, you need to change the direction of movement and get everyone steered in the right direction. Kualoa Ranch, from top to bottom, did not need help changing their direction and moving forward. Kualoa Ranch has freely engaged its resources, both people and financial, to address the problem on hand. Staff assisting HDOA/HAL have been passionate and have worked closely and seamlessly with agency partners for a positive outcome.
  • Community Hero: Recognizes a community member or community-based group that has been a shining example of dedication to prevent and/or manage invasive species.
    • 
    • Photo above: Congratulations to Ron Fitzgerald, Waianae HS, Department of Education (DOE), receiving award from Senator Mike Gabbard.

    • Ron Fitzgerald has been a shining example of a Community Hero in the battle against the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. He and his wife have allowed the CRB Response full access to their farm to conduct countless surveys and perform several experiments while maintaining great communication and collaboration with staff. Ron also provides outreach opportunities to the community such as presentations for his Agriculture classes at Waianae High School where he teaches, and often brings students for place-based learning experiences on the farm. This past year, Ron participated in a video for “Outside Hawaii” being aired on OC16 where he shares his experience with CRB and its impacts on Hawaiian culture. Ron is an amazing advocate for protecting Hawai`i as he has the forward-thinking mindset and the drive to put words into action.

  • Greatest Hit: Recognizes an individual, organization, or agency responsible for one of the major invasive species highlights in the areas of research, prevention, control, and/or public outreach.
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    • Photo above: Congratulations to Vernon Harrington, US Department of Agriculture (USDA), receiving award from Rep. Nicole Lowen, Rep. Richard Onishi & Rep. Richard Creagan.
    • Vernon Harrington is the State Plant Health Director (SPD) for Hawaii, Guam, American Samoa and the Commonwealth of the Northern Marianas Islands (CNMI) with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal Plant Health Inspection Service Plant Protection and Quarantine (APHIS-PPQ). Most people do not know what that means but what it translates to is Vernon runs the largest program in the country to protect the Pacific, from invasive pest issues. Vernon is passionate about executing his charge but often times, PPQ policies and procedures and legal authorities limits what he can do in his role here in Hawaii. What Vernon accomplishes on a day-to-day much less a year-to-year basis has helped protect Hawaii and the Pacific from numerous threats. Over the years, Vernon has successfully increased the amount of funding that flows into the State for priority programs. This has been primarily through the Plant Protection Act 7721 (formerly known as the Farm Bill). Not only has there been an increase in funding levels, but the diversity of projects have increased and has included traditional agriculture related projects like coffee berry borer or fruit fly related issues, but also included projects for Rapid Ohia Death. There has been close to a 100 fold increased in Federal funding flowing into Hawaii since Vernon first took his position at the SPHD in 2000.
    • Vernon has also worked in countless other ways to benefit Hawaii and the Pacific. His work includes addressing existing issues with diagnostic support to the state, insuring critical new pests are identified quickly and efficiently. He has worked to raise awareness internal to USDA of concerns expressed by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, examples include dedication of additional resources to analyze pathways for new pests established in Hawaii including Acalolepta aesthetica. His leadership has led to enhanced coordination of survey and detection efforts between Hawaii and Guam. Now, a single survey coordinator exists for the region, housed within the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and working closely with his office, Guam, American Samoa and the CNMI as part of the Cooperative Agriculture Pest Survey Program. This broader regional approach will help Hawaii be more proactive in its approach to addressing ongoing pest issues especially as China becomes increasingly important as a trading partner with islands within the Pacific. This regional work will also be melded with the inclusion of Hawaii on national pest detection committees. In 2018, it was documented in Hawaii the development of resistance within the melon fly to GF-120, the primary mechanism to control pest fruit fly populations. Research quickly showed this resistance mechanism exists in other species of Tephritids. These findings have global impacts. If resistance flies were to invade the US mainland, the economic impacts would be devastating. Vernon and his team found a way to fund the critical work to find alternative methods to control the most devastating of insect pests to global agriculture. A team from the University of Hawaii, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and Washington State University have begun work with funding Vernon helped secure to elucidate the resistance mechanisms and find alternative controls for melon fly. The work is intended to branch out to include other species of tephirtid fruit flies such as the oriental fruit fly and Medfly.
    • Key programs have been built and grown due to Vernon’s behind the scenes work that keeps programs relevant and key decision makers informed and aware of consequences. The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Detector Dog Program is a prime example. Without Vernon’s foresight and leadership, this program was mired in bureaucratic processes. Vernon stepped in and insured the program developed and came into fruition in 2019 in the quickest, easiest manner which also is the manner which is most likely to succeed. There are now two canines present in Hawaii doing critical detection work in the field. While still in training, these dogs will be a valuable asset to help find beetle infestations for response teams to tackle and destroy. Along with the canine program, Vernon recognized the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle reached a critical juncture in determining if successful eradication could be achieved. To move things forward, Vernon called together Hawaii Department of Agriculture, the City and County of Honolulu, and Kamehameha Schools to develop an area-wide concept to implement a comprehensive green waste management plan. This plan creates a unique partnership between all agencies, the University of Hawaii and private entities to safely and securely process priority waste in the greater Waiawa area where beetle populations have steadily risen and will involve each partner agency engaging in specific actions to help the program forward. The program is being finalized yet, but without Vernon’s leadership and coalition building prowess the battle to save Oahu from the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle would likely be entering it’s closing phases.
  • Island MVPs: Four awards will be given in this category and are selected by the various island Invasive Species Committees to recognize an individual or group that has made substantial contributions towards advancing invasive species management in Hawaii.
    • Hawaii MVP
      • 
      • Photo above: Congratulations to Kim Takata, North Kohala Coqui Coalition. Randy Bartlett, HISC Interagency Coordinator, receiving award on Kim's behalf from Rep. Richard Creagan, Rep. Nicole Lowen, & Rep. Richard Onishi.
      • Kim was among the founders of the North Kohala Coqui Coalition and managed the group for 16 years, serving as a strong community voice and leader for coqui control. NKCC is the longest running and most successful community-based coqui control effort on the Big Island. Kim has been called since the beginning” with regard to fighting invasive pests in Kohala, and continues to raise money and raise awareness about coqui in North Kohala. More recently, the beloved market run by her family, Takata Store, has offered a central location for North Kohala residents to learn about little fire ants, pick up LFA test kits, and drop off ant samples to be submitted for identification. Kim has given so much of her time and effort to fighting invasive species, recognition serves as something of a lifetime achievement award, and is richly deserved.
    • Maui Nui MVP
      • 
      • Photo above: Congratulations to James Fleming, Hawaii Department Of Agriculture (HDOA), Maui, receiving award from Rep. Tina Wildberger & Rep. Lynn DeCoite
      • Over the last year, as more and more populations of little fire ants have been detected on Maui, James Fleming, Plant Pest Control Specialist with the Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and based on Maui, has proven to be an invaluable partner in the efforts to prevent, contain, and eradicate little fire ants on Maui. Fleming built relationships with local nurseries and landscaping businesses and regularly checks the greenhouses, growing areas, and nursery perimeters for little fire ants. He follows-up on reports of little fire ants that go to HDOA, and without fail, every time a new infestation has been detected, Fleming and his team are present working alongside the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) to determine the extent of the infestation. The same goes with the treatments –when MISC crew are unable to get the job done, Fleming will be there to ensure the treatment is completed in a thorough and timely manner. This isn’t the only effort he puts forth, James has been instrumental in the control of coqui frogs and other invasive species
  • • Oahu MVP
    • 
    • Photo above: Congratulations to Dean Takayama, Hawaii Department Of Transportation (HDOT). Nathan Dube, Manager, Oahu Invasive Species Committee, receiving award on Dean's behalf from Senator Mike Gabbard.
      • Helpful with removing naio in HDOT plantings along roadsides and median to help stop the spread of invasive naio thrips. By doing so, HDOT has removed harboring habitat for thrips, slowing their spread and help protect wild naio populations. Wild naio populations provide habitat for nesting albatross and shearwaters, endangered yellow-faced bees, and forests birds like the ‘amakihi and ‘elepaio.
    • Kauai MVP
    • 
    • Photo above: Congratulations to Mapuana O’Sullivan, Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) - Tiffani Keanini, Manager, Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC), receiving award on Mapuana's behalf from Rep. James Kunane Tokioka, Rep. Nadine Nakamura, Rep. Dee Morikawa, & Senate President Ron Kouchi.
      • When the super aggressive fungal pathogen that leads to Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (Ceratocystis lukuohia) was first detected on Kauai, the timing couldn’t have been worse. The island’s Forestry Management Supervisor had just transitioned to a new post on the incoming mayor’s cabinet, leaving the forestry position vacant. But not for long, because Mapuana O’Sullivan stepped up as acting supervisor to lead the Kauai DOFAW rapid response efforts. The day after the detection was announced, O’Sullivan was in a helicopter leading Digital Mobile Sketch Mapping efforts to identify any additional symptomatic trees. A couple weeks later, she scheduled a crew from University of Hawaii-Hilo to conduct unmanned aerial surveys, providing remote imagery to guide on-the-ground sampling efforts. Within a month, she’d organized a week-long sampling effect that involved multiple agencies from multiple islands. Since then, she’s orchestrated the creation and installation of boot brush stations at nearly 30 trailheads across the island. She’s hired three staff members with Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death response and management responsibilities. She’s encouraged visits from scientists across the state and country to more deeply understand the best management strategies to address this invasive disease threat to Hawaii’s most important native tree. O’Sullivan holds an undergraduate degree in biology from University of Hawaii and a graduate degree in Geographic Information Science from Penn State University. She’s previously served as a natural area reserves system specialist with the Department of Land and Natural Resources.
  • Learn more about Hawai'i Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) 2020 <== Click the link!
• Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) program
  • 
  • Photo above: New Assessments: The HPWRA promotes responsible and informed planting choices by providing an objective, science-based and accurate method of assessing the invasive potential of plants being imported into and/or planted within the Hawaiian Islands. In the past two months, 8 new assessments and 4 revised assessments have been completed, bringing the current total of screened plant species to 2060. Of note were two assessments for a private nursery and three for a botanical garden concerned about inadvertently growing invasive species. All assessments can be accessed at the Plant Pono website: (https://plantpono.org/)
  • 
  • Photo above: Master Gardener Training - Two 3-hour training sessions on native plants, invasive plants, and the weed risk assessment system were given to the 2020 West Hawaii Master Gardener program on January 21 and to the East Hawaii Master Gardener program on January 22. Over forty master gardener trainees attended presentations that addressed invasive plants of Hawaii, using the weed risk assessment system, the Plant Pono program, and an overview of native plant diversity in the islands. 
• 
• 643pest.org, 643-PEST app, or the 643-PEST (7378) telephone hotline.
• 643PEST.org online pest reporting received and answered 42 pest reports during the Jan - Feb 2020 period. This is roughly 50% fewer reports than last year during the same time period.  Pest report facilitators were able to confirm the identification of the species reported and/or pass the report to a coordinating agency for 31 of those reports. 23 of these reports were for invasive species with a widespread distribution that are not controlled by any agencies or groups, and 8 reports were forwarded to state agencies and invasive species management groups for further action. 
  • Graph below: The top species reported by island are -
    • Hawaiʻi Island: coqui (2)
    • Maui: Jackson’s chameleon (3)
    • Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi: 0
    • Oʻahu: avocado lace bug (3), coqui (2, note: responding agency did not verify ID of reported pest), and Oriental flower beetle (2), various other (11)
    • Kauaʻi: coqui (1), sweet potato bug (1)

      • 

         

        
        Photo above: Top 643pest.org reported species Jan - Feb 2020 (from top left clockwise): coqui frog, avocado lace bug, Jackson’s chameleon, and feral cat.

• The HISC Facebook page now has over 1,060 followers. Please Like & Follow HISC on Facebook to receive updates from HISC news, posts from our website, and invasive species-related posts from our constituent agencies and partners.
• The HISC Brown Bag series continues! Check the link in the Upcoming Events section below for the next presentation dates & topics.
  • Check out Brown Bag #30: Rat Lungworm Parasitic Disease with Lisa Kaluna (UH Hilo School of Pharmacy) is now online on the HISC Facebook page <== Click the link!

Upcoming events

• HISC Brown Bag: Stay tuned for the next Brown Bag presentations and see past presentations here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/category/brownbag/ 
  • Check out Brown Bag #30: Rat Lungworm Parasitic Disease with Lisa Kaluna (UH Hilo School of Pharmacy) is now online on the HISC Facebook page <== Click the link!

• February 2020    NAISMA News The North American Invasive Species Management Association (NAISMA) supports, promotes, and empowers invasive species prevention and management across North America. The Early Detector is our monthly newsletter. Here's what's happening in the invasive species management community this month: Free Webinars during National Invasive Species Awareness Week     National Invasive Species Awareness Week is underway! NISAW raises awareness of how people can protect natural ecosystems for future generations by preventing the spread of invasive species. Our daily webinars answer your questions about chemical control, firewood movement regulations, aquatic invasive species legislation and more.   Sign up for Webinars This Week     If you'd like get daily emails from NISAW, sign up here. Emails are sent this week and May 16-23.