Active response updates

• Little Fire Ant (LFA): 
  • 
  • 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!
  • 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.

• Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB):
  • For more information or pictures, please contact the CRB Response at 679-5244 or BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com
  • Some exciting tools and methods are being launched now, or in the near future! Mitigation
    tools will help with the challenges associated with identifying, surveying, and sanitizing
    breeding sites. A new outreach tool will help to communicate what’s at stake and better
    understand the beetle and the program in order to gain support. 
  • A USDA trainer has been on Oahu for several weeks helping to develop the CRB Canine
    Detector program. The goal is to have the canines detect CRB in green waste piles, stumps, grass, and other cryptic areas. So far, there have been some challenges with distinguishing between CRB and Oriental Flower Beetle (OFB) in field trials. Time spent in the field is also being limited by environmental conditions including the summer heat and humidity. Training is in its early stages and may only be optimized a year or more from now, but the hope is that this program will greatly increase the efficiency of breeding site detections. 
  • The big, bad Vacuum Steam Sterilizer is currently being shipped. Sanitizing various types of material with heat has previously posed challenges such as reaching sufficient and sustained temperatures, efficient throughput, and ensuring full saturation. This system will be able to fully sanitize green waste, compost, and soil before removal from an infested site. 
  • A 360-degree camera and virtual reality headset will be used to captivate the public and
    stakeholders through an immersive experience. Views of iconic Hawaiian landscapes with palms will highlight what is at stake and experiencing the most devastated areas on Oahu or Guam will convey the potential impacts. We can also present the work of our field crew and the daily challenges the program faces. Many other ideas are floating up in the air- such as literally portraying the world through the eyes of a flying beetle! 
  • This update is a very brief summary of newly available tools for our program. Please contact the CRB Response with any inquiries: (808) 679-5244 or BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com
• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
  • In July 2019, ROD was detected in a single tree in Hana, Maui, the first confirmed case for that island. The tree was confirmed with the less aggressive strain of the disease, Ceratocystis huliohia. and the tree was cut down and burned on site. Environmental agencies and organizations across Maui have increased aerial surveys using helicopters and drones to detect any more symptomatic trees. Aerial surveys are conducted in Maui County twice a year and any symptomatic tree found by air is then surveyed by ground crews.
  • In August, ROD was detected in a single tree on O‘ahu. Field staff from Ko‘olau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP) found the symptomatic tree and submitted samples. Surveys have been conducted on O‘ahu since 2016 and over 150 samples of symptomatic trees were collected over that time. This has been the first confirmed case of ROD on the island. The tree tested positive for C. huliohia, the less aggressive ROD-causing strain. Aerial surveys are ramping up to look for more suspect trees.
  • The ROD research and management community does not believe ROD has recently spread to Maui and O‘ahu. It is likely that C. huliohia has been present in the islands for years, possibly decades. We know that neither C. huliohia nor C. lukuohia were detected during extensive studies of ‘ōhi‘a dieback in the 1970s. Thus, we must remain committed to our sanitation efforts. Roughly 90% of tree samples from Hawai‘I Island are positive for C. lukuohia, making sanitation critical to keep it from Maui and O‘ahu.
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• 
• 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.
  • 5) Don’t move ʻōhiʻa wood or ʻōhiʻa parts, including adjacent soil. 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.
• 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: 
  • Learn more about the ROD Seed Banking Initiative and sign up for future workshops at ohialove.com.
• The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Strategic Response Plan is available at www.rapidohiadeath.org
• 
• Photo: Nate Yuen

• Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • Division of Aquatic Resources’ (DAR) Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Team has retrieved 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. Genetic monitoring efforts may be more time and cost effective than traditional forms of monitoring.    

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  • DAR’s Ballast Water and Biofouling Program is beginning trials for validating a commercially available ballast water rapid assessment tool against EPA’s approved testing method in order to investigate its reliability, portability, and rapidity in measuring viability in ballast water discharge. Ballast Water is used to manage ship stability; harbor water is typically pumped into ballast tanks onboard a vessel during cargo offloading operations, carried during the voyage to another port and then discharged during cargo loading operations. This transfer of water between ports has the potential to transfer harmful and invasive organisms and pathogens. Monitoring ballast water discharge to ensure adherence to USCG standards is an integral part of making sure ships are managing their ballast in a responsible way. Currently, ballast water is tested with protocols approved by the EPA.  Though reliable, these protocols are tedious and time-consuming to perform as well as require highly trained professionals and expensive instrumentation.

  • DAR’s Ballast Water and Biofouling Program used a pole camera to demonstrate the visual difference between a clean boat hull vs. a heavily fouled hull docked in He’eia Harbor, during a visit by Ms. Jen Burks and Ms. Tiffany Crawford—staffers from Senator Hirono’s Office.  In colaboration with Ms. Christy Martin from Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) to use these visuals as talking points to convey the importance of controlling the vessel biofouling vector of aquatic alien species introductions into Hawaii and their transfer intra/inter-island.  Vessels that do not regularly manage their biofouling could carry entire ecosystems of aquatic invaders wherever it goes, posing a major biosecurity risk to its next destination. Check out this video for a clean vs. dirty hull comparison: https://youtu.be/qnjOUaSvGtY  

  • 

  • Many members of Hawaii’s DAR Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Team presented at the Hawaii Conservation Conference on topics that included:

    • Enhancing Native Species Resilience Through Effective Management of Aquatic Invasive Species

    • Tracking Salvinia molesta Distribution Throughout Kaua‘i’s Watersheds and Their Physical Characteristics Which Increase Ecosystem Resilience

    • Evaluating the Efficacy of a Reef Restoration Strategy Using a Photomosaic Method

    • Citizen Science: Utilizing iNaturalist to Report Aquatic Invasive Species in the State of Hawai‘i

    • Coral Reef Restoration Through Invasive Algae Management in Kāne‘ohe Bay and the Waikīkī MLCD

    • Combating the Ongoing Threat of Aquatic Alien Species Through Ballast Water Risk Analysis

  • DAR’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Field Team began rapid response to a new report of an alien anemone: Bartholomea annulata. In April 2019, the AIS team received a report of a new alien anemone from local marine life expert Keoki Stender, in Kaneohe Bay near Heʻeia-Kea Small Boat Harbor. A site assessment was performed, and the anemone was confirmed as the Caribbean Corkscrew Anenome (Bartholomea annulata), which has not been reported in Hawaiʻi previously. B. annulata presence was found to span a Cartesian distance of 1.1 km at a minimum, present north and south of Heʻeia-Kea Small Boat Harbor. The alien anemone also was found on other patch and fringing reefs in Kāne‘ohe Bay.  Rubble and silty sand areas are the dominant habitat that the alien anemone has been found on. The State of Hawai‘i AIS team is currently pilot testing control options for the anemone in collaboration with USGS and US FWS.

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  • 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 was completed in March on priority patch reefs. Stocking of sea urchins continues on priority reefs to maintain invasive algae at levels below 5% coverage.

  • DAR’s Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Field Team has begun Waikīkī baseline surveys in the Marine Life Conservation District in Waikīkī. The AIS team plans to outplant sea urchins for invasive algae control in the area, funded by the Kapālama Container Terminal Expansion Project.

• 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 next Mamalu Poepoe Working Group Meeting  is scheduled for Friday September 6, 9:00 - 11:30 am. The meeting will be held at the Department of Transportation, 869 Punchbowl Street, 5^th floor conference room. Metered parking is available or you may choose the makai garage on Halekauwila Street. State vehicles are allowed free parking.
  • Meeting agenda: 
    • CRB monitoring, update by CRB response team  
    • Invasive ant monitoring at airports, update by HAL staff and Leyla Kaufman (HISC)
    • Mosquito trap efficacy studies - update by Helen Spafford, UH
    • Mosquito SOP- update by Grace Simmons, DOH VC
    • Mosquito monitoring/studies at airports, update by DOH VC entomologists, Leyla Kaufman (HISC), Roshan Manandhar (UH)
    • Economic analysis - update by Donna Lee, UH  (pending confirmation)
    • Africanized honeybee (AHB) SOP - update by Becky Azama, DOA
    • AHB monitoring - Ethel Villalobos & Scott Nikaido (UH) & Leyla Kaufman (HISC) 
    • Future directions
  • Remote participation details:  
    Join Webex meeting
    Mamalu Poepoe Working Group Meeting
    Friday, Sep 6, 2019 9:00 am | 2 hours 30 minutes | (UTC-10:00) Hawaii
    Meeting number: 749 667 816
    Password: TkcjpE@3
    https://mmancusa.webex.com/mmancusa/j.php?MTID=m8f488d19aae095f6b348c5a75357b02b
• 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) 
  • Plants

    • Cryptostegia sp (rubber vine) -2 steps forward and 1 step back 

      • The last remaining Cryptostegia population has been removed from Puako! Our persistence paid off. Multiple times over the years Joel and Shannon have kindly asked one particular resident to let BIISC remove the vile plant off their property for free. The resident would not cooperate even with the promise of free replacement plants. Finally, the resident moved out and the new owner enthusiastically agreed to our free service. 

      • While surveying in an area with historic Cryptostegia plants off Ali’i drive in Kailua-Kona, another population was found growing wild in the back of a property. The owner was more than happy to let the BIISC crew remove the plants. 

    • Most Smokebush (Buddleja madagascariensis) populations have been controlled and sites continue to be monitored for regrowth.  Only three locations have known plants where access and permission has been difficult.  Another three sites are in the control phase and some mature and juvenile plants are still being found.

    • Persistence also paid off for Cotoneaster (Cotoneaster pannosus) in Kona.  A landowner who initially refused the offer to remove a large Cotoneaster plant from their front yard, finally agreed after 3 years (really, Dad passed away and the son hates plants).  Other Cotoneaster populations seem to be declining with steady control efforts.

    • Invasive plants (January 2019 to July 2019): 28,349 mature plants and 13,680 immature plants were controlled, 2665 acres were surveyed, 130 acres treated.

  • ROD

    • Presented at two ROD symposiums on Hawaii Island. reaching almost 100 people

    • Presented on ROD to after-school group reaching 25 high school students.

    • Completed ROD survey flights, using digital mobile sketch mapping tool, for the whole island and for priority zones.  Detected new sites in north Hamakua and North Kona and monitored known sites throughout the island. 

    • Helped organize the ROD Science Symposium.  Presented on management and entomology issues and lead the field trip for the symposium.

    • Presented on ROD management during the Hawaii Conservation Conference.

    • Worked with partner agencies including National & State Parks, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, and the US Fish and Wildlife Service to monitor and manage properties for ROD.

    • Continued support of ongoing ROD research focused on entomology, management, remote sensing, inoculum movement, and commercial forestry (kiln trials).

    • Collected almost 600 samples from ohia trees showing symptoms of ROD.

    • Felled over 60 ROD positive trees.

  • Early Detection

    • UAV tech report in development titled "Exploring the Logistical Benefits of sUAS Integration into Field Operations".

    • Presented on UAV report during the Hawaii Conservation Conference 2019.  

    • Discovery of naturalizing foxglove species adjacent to high-value native forest and native bird recovery program.  

    • Hosted a UAV workshop for DOFAW staff on Maui.  Tested drone mounted FLIR technology and successfully located two groups of Axis deer in a reserve near Kahului, Maui.  Tests also showed that it was possibly to "herd" the deer using the drone.   

    • Surveyed roads in South Kona and found another site for Nile tulip (Markhamia lutea).  

    • Continued work on Homeowners guide to common plant pest control.  

    • Participated in OMKM Annual Entomological surveys at the summit of Mauna kea.

    • Used the UAV to survey buffers for invasive species like Rubber vine, smokebush and moluccan raspberry.  

  • Outreach

    • Presented 6 times on topics such as Rat lungworm, Plant Pono, and general invasive species threats reaching over 175 people. 

    • Presented at the Invasive Species Conference in Hilo August 22-23, 2019.

    • Presented at the Imiloa bug camp and had a booth at the Keaau Science day reaching 175 keiki and adults. 

    • Trained custodians at area schools on best management practices for controlling little fire ants reaching 20 professionals.

    • Gave 4 presentations and training demonstrations on how to control little fire ants in both East and North Hawaii reaching 321 residents. 

    • Results from the Spring Survey for Plant Pono’s ‘no grow’ plants. Stores selling one or more invasive plants has significantly declined since the Plant Pono program was launched on Hawaii Island. All but one species (Asparagus densiflorus) are declining. A full report with background information will be posted on the Hawai’i island section of plantpono.org.
    • 
• Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • In August, six ‘ōhi‘a tested positive for Ceratocystis lukuohia. A total of 22 trees in three separate locations across Kaua‘i have now tested positive for this more virulent species of the two fungi that cause Rapid ʻŌhi‘a Death.The six most recent are located in the Līhu‘e-Kōloa Forest Reserve—five near the Kalāheo-Lāwai section and one in the Wailua section of the forest reserve. The dead ‘ōhi‘a in upper Wailua is located along Powerline Trail. Both places are fairly accessible, so experts are asking for people’s help in containing the disease by adopting the simple bio-sanitation practices demonstrated in this bio-sanitation video.
  • 
  • In July and August KISC’s outreach efforts related to Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death included workshops on collecting ‘ōhi‘a seeds for conservation, how to grow ‘ōhi’a trees in backyards, and bio-sanitation practices for tour operators. Additionally, tabling activities were held at several community events.
  • Kauai has started a quarterly newsletter devoted to all things ‘ōhi’a and Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death. To subscribe, email saveohia@hawaii.edu and asked to be added to the list.
  • Coqui frogs (Eleutherodactylus coqui): During July and August, coqui reports from Kauai homeowners decreased relative to earlier in the year, with only a single report received from the Wailua area during this period.  The KISC crew responded and one frog was captured.  We continue to encourage the public to report any coqui heard and to inspect imported plants to keep Kauai coqui free.
  • KISC and the Plant Pono program facilitated a native gardening workshop in August, hosted at a local pono-endorsed nursery and instructed jointly by two of our pono-endorsed industry professionals.  Community interest was strong and we have a waiting list for repeat workshops planned for the fall.  The focus is a positive message on choosing and growing native species as a strategy for reducing invasive threats to the island from ornamentals that escape home gardens.
  • KISC Outreach mounted displays and/or interactive presentations at three community events during August, including a 4-day presence at the Kauai County Farm Bureau Fair where our booth received 1,013 visitors.
  • KISC booth at Kauai County Fair 2019
• Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • Plants: The plant crew has been working on ivy gourd infestations in Waihee and doing aerial surveys of West Maui looking for pampas grass. Crews have also been working in East Maui looking for wildland Pampas grass populations.
  • Ants: Crew has been monitoring all LFA infestation sights, doing hot spot treatments for the infestation in Huelo and Kapalua, and implementing broad treatments in Kaeleku and Happy Valley. But the biggest development of the last few months has been the LFA team has been putting the finishing touches on the equipment that will enable MISC to address the large (100+ acre) infestation in Nahiku by helicopter.  See a video of one of the tests here: Nahiku LFA Aerial Treatment. 
  • Coqui Frogs: After hot dry weather had kept frogs from calling for much of the summer, MISC has been responding to an influx of calls brought about by recent rains.  The crew has been working on infested areas in Kauhikoa, Kaluanui, Jaws, Lanikai, and Kuiaha Gulch. To support neighborhood community control crew worked in Haiku Hill and. Through the Community Engagement Program, 4 neighborhoods in Haiku have taken control of coqui infestations in their neighborhoods. MISC provides pre-mixed citric, training as assistance, equipment, and signage to empower each neighborhood. 
  • ROD: After the July detection and elimination of a single C. huliohia infested ohia on East Maui, MISC has been partnering with DLNR on three community meetings to promote greater awareness throughout Maui. In July, MISC worked with Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and Skyline Conservation Initiative on a project introducing a summer youth camp to ohia trees and collecting and processing seed.
  • General PR: MISC is continuing to do the Maui Mauka Conservation Awareness Training for tour guides alongside East Maui Watershed Partnership and Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project.  Our July training featured Cheryl King of Hawaii Wildlife Fund as a guest presenter. 
• 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.
  • Work at OISC! Want a fun and demanding job working with great people and protecting Hawaii's forests against invasive species? The OISC Manager position is open until September 2nd. Go to www.rcuh.com and put 19402 in the "Keyword box" to find the position description. We are looking for candidates with supervisory, fundraising and management experience.  Please call Rachel Neville at 808-266-7994 if you would like more information.   
  • Miconia (Miconia calvescens): 
  • Devil Weed (Chromolaena odorata): 
  • Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD): If you have or see dead ‘ōhi‘a with brown leaves still attached, please report to OISC at oisc@Hawai‘i .edu or to the statewide pest hotline: 643-PEST (7378) or www.643pest.org (Photos are very helpful!).
  • Naio Thrips (Klambothrips myopori): OISC is still conducting early detection surveys and removing infested plant material. If you see suspect thrips damage to naio plants, report immediately to OISC. Please send a photo to oisc@Hawai‘i .edu and the location of the plant. You can also report suspect naio thrips damage to the statewide pest hotline: 643-PEST (7378) or www.643pest.org.
  • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata): For details on how to collect and submit ant for ID, visit: http://stoptheant.org/report-little-fire-ants/
  • Outreach: 
  • For more information about OISC targets, please visit: www.oahuisc.org.

• Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)
  • Please visit the link above for general information.
• The HISC approved an FY20 interagency budget totaling $5.75M (before expenditure restrictions and overhead costs) for invasive species projects that fill gaps between agency programs. These projects include critical support for the Invasive Species Committees and Hawaii Ant Lab, research related to landscape-scale control of mosquito, and a large increase in investment into cost-effective biological control research.
• HISC staff presented at the UH CTAHR Invasive Species Conference in Hilo, and at a HIDOT Airports workshop in Honolulu.
• Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) program
  • 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 7 revised assessments have been completed, bringing the current total of screened plant species to 2040. Of note were two addition assessments provided to a Kauai nursery for their November Arbor Day tree giveaway, and two for a Maui wetland reclamation project. All new and previously completed assessments can be accessed at the redesigned Plant Pono website: (https://plantpono.org/)
• The HISC Facebook page now has over 895 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.
• 
• 643pest.org, 643-PEST app, or the 643-PEST (7378) telephone hotline.
  • Pest Report of the Month

• Got flatworms?
  Please report flatworms to 643pest.org as part of a push to collect specimens for identification by the Bishop Museum. Flatworms, also known as hammerhead worms, are presumed to be found throughout the state. The Bishop Museum would like to identify the diversity of species found on each island. Please keep any flatworms found contained and alive. The most productive time to find and collect flatworms is on warm nights after a light to moderate rainfall, when these mollusks are active and out in the open. Flatworms, like other land molluscs in Hawaii, are potential carriers of rat lungworm parasites. Use care when handling.
   
• The HISC Brown Bag series continues! Check the link in the Upcoming Events section below for the next presentation dates & topics.

Upcoming events

• US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) Pacific Islands Office: Mongoose Biosecurity Forum
  • The USFWS Pacific Islands Office is hosting a biosecurity forum on September 10, 2019 on the topic of preventing the inadvertent introduction of mongoose to the islands of Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi.  The results of an extensive year-long survey of Kauaʻi have concluded that there is NOT an established population of mongoose on the island of Kauaʻi.  The Islands of Kauaʻi and Lānaʻi did not have populations of mongoose deliberately introduced in the late 1800s as was done on other main Hawaiian Islands.   These two islands remain free of mongoose, but with several recent inadvertent escapes in Kauaʻi of mongoose from cargo containers, which, luckily, were captured quickly. 
  • At the present time only limited voluntary protections are in place to keep these islands free from mongoose introduction.  It is critical to ensure they remain mongoose-free. 
    This biosecurity forum will bring together State and Federal regulators and legislators to discuss with airport authorities and cargo shippers policies and procedures to prevent inadvertent transport of mongoose to these islands. 
  • Experts will be presenting on the history and impacts of mongoose invasions and the environmental consequences of allowing introduction of mongoose to the islands by air cargo and barge traffic. 
  • The forum will discuss current needs for monitoring to detect mongoose in cargo and measures to prevent introductions.  It is imperative that Hawaiʻi develop a biosecurity program to prevent mongoose introductions.
  • Presentations and panel discussions will begin at 9:00 AM and the forum will conclude at 4:30 PM 
  • Meeting Agenda 
• HISC Brown Bag: Stay Tuned for the next Brown Bag presentations and see past presentations here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/category/brownbag/
  • Brown Bag #26: Mongoose Toxicant Trials: Shane Siers; September 9, 2019
  • Brown Bag #27: Alien Plant Informatics: Kelsey Brock; September 17, 2019
  • Brown Bag #28: Marine Sponge DNA: Jan Vincente; November, 6, 2019
  • Brown Bag #29: Albizia in KMWP: JC Watson/Will Weaver; December, TBD, 2019