Active response updates

• Little Fire Ant (LFA): 
  • A separate update was recently released from the Hawaii Ant Lab: 
    • 2018 HAL Update
• Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB):
  • Understanding and tracking green waste creation and movement is one of the most important tasks for the CRB Response. Currently, there is a Green Waste Management Plan in place on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam that has largely prevented the spread from Pearl Harbor areas and proliferation of the population. This plan, in conjunction with other CRB Response efforts, has been successful in reducing populations at Mamala Bay Golf course, the most historically active site in Hawai`i. There have been no CRB detections on the golf course in the last eight months.
    The spread of the population to new areas such as the North and East Shores of Oahu would effectively shift the status of our program from eradication to control. The goals of a green waste management plan are to prevent movement of beetles or infested material, stop the creation of breeding sites, kill beetles in infested material, or prepare material for safe transport (no hitchhiking).  Aside from Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, green waste management is voluntary and difficult to track. As our program relies on the cooperation of the public and partners, green waste management is the top priority of our efforts. A state-wide and enforced green waste management protocol like that of the base enforced plan would greatly facilitate not only the eradication efforts of the CRB Response but also prevent the spread and establishment of other invasive species.
• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
  • ROD 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
  • ROD Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/RapidOhiaDeath/ 
  • Research Update: 
    • The two fungal pathogens responsible for Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death has been officially named and described. The Hawaiian names were given by cultural advisors because the pathogens originated in Hawai‘i. The new names are as follow: Ceratocystis lukuohia (formerly Sp. A), destroyer of ‘ōhi‘a, and Ceratocystis huliohia (formerly Sp. B), disruptor of ‘ōhi‘a. Both fungi infect and kill ‘ōhi‘a, so both are considered causes of ROD.
    • Over the past year, the ROD outreach team has been working on a Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death documentary. We are working with producers from Club Sullivan on the final edits and we will be conducting statewide premiers soon. We will also be airing the documentary on local television channels during this summer season if you are not able to attend any of the premiers. Please visit www.rapidohiadeath.org for further information.
    • Governor Ige declared April 25, 2018 as ‘Ōhi‘a Lehua Day. Event festivities occurred at Queen Emma Summer Palace and included an opening protocol, hula, and a tree planting ceremony to celebrate the day.  
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  • Survey Update:
    • ROD is still confined to Hawai`i Island and found nowhere else in the State. 
  • The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Strategic Response Plan is available at www.rapidohiadeath.org

• Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
• Division Of Forestry And Wildlife (DOFAW)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
• Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.

• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD)
  • ROD Reminder: Anyone on ROD-free islands (other than Hawai`i Island) 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. 

• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
• Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU)
  • Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
    • HCR 130 was introduced at the legislature early March which urges state agencies to collaborate on best management practices, technologies and regulations to address biofouling in Hawaiiʻs harbors. Addressing biofouling (the species that can grow underwater on the hulls of vessels, that can enter and be transported throughout the state) is one of the highest priorities in the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan. This resolution passed through all the committees with minor amendments and will pave the way for future work on this issue.
    • CGAPS and DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR) staff travelled to Maryland to participate in an in-water cleaning workshop.
  • Hawaii Alien Plant Informatics (HAPI) Project 
    • Efforts to compile all available data on the identity, ecology and distribution of alien plants in Hawaii commenced in February 2018!  We are currently seeking input from anyone who uses or collects information on alien plants within the state, and are reaching out to anyone who is willing to share their data. We're happy to hear from all interested people, from horticulturists to invasive plant managers. Please follow this link to participate.
  • Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA)
    • 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 4 months, 36 new or revised assessments have been completed, bringing the latest total of screened plant species to 1947.
      Unfortunately, Plant Pono, one of the primary websites that posts weed risk assessment results and promotes the use of native and non-invasive non-native plants, was hacked in late March and is no longer viable. Plans are now being developed to create a new and improved Plant Pono site in WordPress. In the meantime, all weed risk assessments to date can be viewed and downloaded at a publicly accessible folder (WRA Drive Folder) at the hpwra.org site.
  • Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)
    • The BIISC albizia crew has nearly completed several miles of albizia control along the Puainako Extension to Saddle Road, one of the most heavily trafficked roads on Hawaii Island and a priority site as identified by the island's Albizia Working Group.  Hundreds of trees have been trimmed or felled by contracted arborists, and thousands more have been treated with Milestone by the crew.  This work will significantly reduce the risk to motorists of falling trees and limbs.
      April was a big month for outreach to schools and keiki. BIISC staff visited Kalanianaole Elementary for Career Day, presented to Kea'au High School Ag classes, engaged students and families at the Keaukaha El Science Night, hosted interactive activities for students in K through 12 at the Laupahoehoe Charter School Earth Fair, and shared prizes and giveaways at the UH-Hilo annual Earth Day festivity, which was visited by over a thousand kids! 
  • Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
    • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
  • O`ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) 
    • For more information about OISC targets, visit: www.oahuisc.org.
  • Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
    • Coqui – All field crews (Hana miconia, little fire ant, and plant) did a push on the coqui work for two weeks in late March. Additionally, crews from the Department of Land and Natural Resources on Maui and  the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee also worked on coqui projects in April, clearing access in gulches to install lines and spraying. 
      Little fire ant – Treatment and survey work continues. Surveys from two of the treatment sites, Waih’ee and Hā’iku, came back with no little fire ants detected. Both sites will be monitored 10-12 times over the next 3-5 years before declared to be eradicated.
      Plant work – The crew has been working on pampas grass in the Waikamoi area and is preparing for backcountry pampas control work.
      Public relations – Rapid ‘ōhiʻa death was the focus of the 3 outreach events in April where MISC staff talked to approximately 745 people.  Additionally, staff did 25 class visits reaching approximately 1500 students with messages about the importance of native forest for water for agriculture (Ag in the Classroom) and rapid ōhiʻa death.
  • Molokai-Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC)
    • Early detection surveys by crew have detected demise of eucalyptus trees in the Palaʻau State Park, Department of Land and Natural Resources has been alerted. Monitoring and suppression efforts continued on 7 priority plant species, 8 “other” plant species, BBTV, coqui, and insect pests like Africanized bees.

• HISC support staff are tracking bills relating to biosecurity and invasive species in the State legislative session. Heading into crossover this week, there are approximately 10 bills that would either provide new appropriations for invasive species work (e.g., rat lungworm research, Hawaii Ant Lab capacity, rose-ringed parakeet research, and biocontrol laboratory development) or new policies (private property access for species control, restructuring the HISC as an attached agency called the Invasive Species Authority). Anyone interested in tracking invasive species bills can contact Joshua.P.Atwood@hawaii.gov for more information.
• The HISC Brownbag series continues! Since the last newsletter, HISC hosted the following presentation:
  • On Tuesday, April 24, 2018, the HDOA Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Response team, led by Darcy Oishi, HDOA Plant Pest Control Biocontrol Section Chief, and including Outreach Specialist, Kailee Lefebvre, and Data/GIS Specialist, Maggie McCain; provided a comprehensive update on the status of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle eradication efforts on Oahu.
• The HISC Facebook page now has 773 followers. 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.
• Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.

Upcoming events

• HISC Brownbag: Stay Tuned for the next Brownbag presentation and see past presentations here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/category/brownbag/