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HISC News is a semi-monthly newsletter that provides 1) recurring updates from active response efforts, 2) announcements and programmatic updates from agencies and partners, and 3) upcoming events. This newsletter is sent to the full HISC email list, and readers can subscribe/unsubscribe at hisc.hawaii.gov.
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Active response updates
HISC agencies and partners address a large number of invasive species issues across the state. Below are brief status updates for a few priority response efforts. For information on other invasive species projects, visit hisc.hawaii.gov, hdoa.hawaii.gov, or dlnr.hawaii.gov.
- Little Fire Ant (LFA):
- LFA have recently been detected in American Samoa and the Hawaii Ant Lab is assisting in developing a response strategy.
 - 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):
 - Map above: CRB Response Management Zones as of December 2018 showing:
- Green: No known breeding sites or captures.
- Yellow: No known breeding sites with relatively low capture rates.
- Red: Suspected active breeding sites with relatively high capture rates.
- For more information or pictures, please contact the CRB Response at 679-5244 or BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com
- Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
- AGGRESSIVE RAPID ʻŌHIʻA DEATH FUNGUS FOUND ON KAUA‘I - December 21, 2018
- Detection of Ceratocystis lukuohia, the more virulent of the two fungal pathogens causing Rapid ʻŌhi‘a Death (ROD), has now been confirmed in three trees on Department of Hawaiian Homelands parcel behind Kalalea Mountain on the east side of Kaua‘i. This first detection of C. lukuohia comes after the other pathogen resulting in ROD, Ceratocystis huliohia, was detected on Kauai in three distinct locations this past year.
- Recommended Actions:
- 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.
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- 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)
- ROD Newsletter: To view the current issue of the newsletter click the link as follows: http://mailchi.mp/e1ed2686c31b/rapid-hia-death-newsletter
- 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
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Program & Project Updates
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Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR)
Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA)
- Please 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.
Hawaii Department of Health (HDOH) - Please visit the link at left for general information.
Hawaii Department of Transportation (HDOT)
- 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.
University of Hawaii (UH) - Please visit the link at left and the links below for general information.
- College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)
- Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU)
- Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)
- Please visit the link above for general information.
- Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
- Please visit the link above for general information.
- A petition requesting the Board of Agriculture (BOA) to add the Restricted Plant Rules as an item to their January 22nd meeting agenda was submitted in December by CGAPS. Additional letters of support from partners and individuals were included in the petition along with the list of proposed plant species, and draft rules. The BOA meeting on January 22nd is open to the public and written/oral testimony can be submitted. If the proposed rules and list are approved by the board, than it can enter into public rulemaking.
 - Left to right: Jules Kuo (DLNR-DAR), Andrew Porter (DLNR-DAR), Dawn Chang (Facilitator), and Christy Martin (CGAPS PIO).
CGAPS and DLNR DAR staff helped to organize and participated in the Aquatic Alien Organism Stakeholder meeting on December 19th. The purpose of the meeting was to update industry and partners on changes to the federal Vessel Incidental Discharge Act (VIDA), proposed State rules regarding ballast water, the progress of in-water cleaning technology to address hull fouling and how to continue to engage the group in an advisory capacity. Meetings like this one are essential to address the introduction of marine alien organisms that are introduced through ballast water and hull fouling.
- CGAPS PIO presented at the Western Governorʻs Association workshops in Helena, Montana, and Kona, Hawaii highlighting the need for policies that address the introduction of marine invasive organisms from ballast water and hull fouling and identifying the gaps and opportunities for preventing invasive species.
- Hawaii Alien Plant Informatics (HAPI) Project
- This project is compiling and analyzing all available alien plant data in Hawai‘i to help inform management decisions. Since February 2018 we’ve been working closely with the Bishop Museum to gain a finer understanding of where hundreds of introduced species fall on the naturalization spectrum. We are still 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 give feedback. Please follow this link to participate. Mahalo to those who have agreed to share their data – we’ll be following up shortly!
- 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 two months, 10 new and 1 revised assessments have been completed, bringing the latest total of screened plant species to 1989.
- Collaboration with the Pa'auilo Mauka Kalopa Community Association (PMKCA) is underway to update the Kalopa State Park trail guide and provide new park signage at the trail head. The new guide will include current taxonomy of native and non-native plants, an alert on the occurrence of Rapid Ohia Death in the park, and the addition of several prominent invasive plants encountered along the trail. The new signs will feature key native and invasive plants found in the park and along the trails.
- A 3-hour training session on native plants, invasive plants, and the weed risk assessment system will be given to the 2019 East Hawaii Master Gardener program at the end of this month (January 30).
- A presentation on how climate change can exacerbate the problems caused by invasive species is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 30 at the Hawaiian Cultural Center of Hamakua. The event is sponsored by Hamakua Resistance, an East Hawaii environmental, social and political advocacy organization.
- Collaborative work on the Plant Pono website has been ongoing with BIISC (Molly Murphy and Franny Brewer), HBIN staff (Sky Harrison), and Websites with Aloha, and the new and improved Plant Pono website is close to being relaunched (sometime in January 2019, fingers crossed). In the interim, a list of all assessments completed to date, and links to individual assessments, can be accessed at hpwra.org.
- New email address: To request an assessment, please use the new hpwra@hawaii.edu email address
- Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
- Please visit the link above for general information.
- 2018 Year-End Update
- In mid-December, the more aggressive form of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD), Ceratocystis lukuohia, was found on Kauaʻi for the first time. This follows detection of the less aggressive form, Ceratocystis huliohia, at multiple locations on the island earlier in the year.
- As part of the Kauaʻi ROD Working Group, KISC is actively engaged in rapid response to the outbreak as well aerial and drone surveys and on-the-ground sampling to delimit the extent of the disease.
- Meanwhile, intensive outreach efforts are focusing on raising public awareness of bio-sanitation measures to prevent spread of the disease. KISC welcomes new staff member Kim Rogers as ROD Outreach Specialist. Kim joined us in November and is coordinating
communications on Kauaʻi as spokesperson for the Kauaʻi ROD Working Group. She can be reached at saveohia@hawaii.edu or 808-821-1490.
- We continued to receive sporadic coqui frog reports from Kapahi residents during November and early December. The KISC crew captured eight frogs for the year in partnership with HDOA and continues to monitor the area.
- More than 700 people attended Kauaʻi’s 50th Anniversary Arbor Day plant giveaway in November. Almost all of them visited KISC’s informational display, which focused on Little Fire Ants and the Plant Pono Endorsement program, plus a dedicated ROD display.
- Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
- Please visit the link above for general information.
- Early Detection: Forest & Kim Starr continue their work surveying for ants (little fire ant and red-imported fire ants), Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, and Africanized honeybee at ports of entry as part of the Mamalu Poepoe project.
- Coqui: In November, MISC loaned a 200 gallon spray tank and provide over 500lbs of citric acid to a local nursery that has had an established population of coqui frogs and a history of reintroduction from Hawaii Island. The nursery staff are trained and participating in control efforts. Though our community empowerment program has yet to officially begin, residents in the infested areas are busy borrowing sprayers and getting citric acid and training on use from MISC. In November alone, MISC distributed over 6,000 lbs of citric acid to Haiku residents
- Little fire ants: The LFA team has been busy developing a helicopter tank and spray system for upcoming aerial control of little fire ants at Nahiku. Continued treatment and surveys at existing sites across Maui are progressing.
- Plants: Following recent rains, the crew revisited the fountain grass infestation in Puuokali in a partnership effort involving Haleakala Ranch and other organizations. Plant crew coordinator Mike Ade went to Lanai to revisit and share institutional knowledge about fountain grass and ivy gourd sites with the Pulama Lanai resource management team. The crew is also focusing on ivy gourd removal in the Waihee area.
- Events: In November, MISC participated in Maui Nui Botanical Garden’s 10,000 Hawaiian Tree Giveaway; helped with the Rapid Ohia Death Bio-sanitation Training for Tour Guides, and hosted a group of volunteers from Kaunoa Senior Center. In December, MISC partnered with Kamehameha Schools Maui to screen the rapid ohia death documentary, “Saving Ohia, Hawaii’s Sacred Tree.” Also MISC attended a community meeting about coqui frogs in Haiku and presented information about treatment plans for little fire ants to the Hana Community.
- Other highlights: The quarterly MISC meeting, held December 6th, highlighted work on Molokai by MoMISC and work on Lanai by Pulama Lanai. Two staff attended brown tree snake refresher courses in Guam. Two MISC-authored articles appeared in the Maui News as part of our Kia’i Moku column: an overview of restricting the import of plants in the myrtle family for November and another about how citizen scientists can help protect yellow faced bee populations for December.
- 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.
- Myoporum thrips (Klambothrips myopori) were detected on Oʻahu on November 23rd. Since then, multiple agencies and many private citizens came together to check six hundred and nineteen naio (Myoporum sandwicense) plants across Oʻahu. Only 42 plants were positive for myoporum thrips (Klambothrips myopori). Positive detections were found at nine sites in Kalihi, Kapalama, Alewa Heights, Moanalua, Pearl Harbor, Waikīkī and downtown. Although that is a wide geographic range, it is important to note that sites around these infested plants but within the same watershed have been checked and are clear. These are isolated points within these watersheds, the whole watershed is not infested. Most importantly, significant natural sites such as Kaʻena Point and the Kaiwi shoreline do not show signs of thrips.
Photo courtesy of Rob Hauff/DLNR DOFAW
- Myoporum thrips are a species of concern because they were previously thought to be restricted to Hawaiʻi Island and they have a devastating effect on both natural and ornamental naio. The thrips feed on the plant leaves, causing the eventual defoliation and death of the plant.
 - Photo courtesy of Janis Matsunaga/HDOA
- Myoporum thrips were first discovered in Southern California in 2005 and were linked to extensive damage of landscape and nursery stock of Myoporum laetum, a species that is not native to California. The thrips was undescribed prior to its detection in California; a species description was prepared and published in 2007 based on that discovery.
- On Oʻahu, seven sites have already been treated or are in the process of being treated. Mahalo to all the ground and land managers that have cooperated with this effort and who have agreed to part with their naio plants in order to save the wild populations.
- What can you do to help? We need to know where naio is growing, especially in the Kalihi/Kapalama/Alewa Heights and Pearl City areas. If you know of a naio anywhere on Oʻahu, please report it to www.643pest.org or to OISC at oisc@hawaii.edu or 808-286-4616. GPS points and photos are especially welcome! We will check the naio for thrips and put it on a monitoring list that we will create once treatment is completed. If you live or work near a naio and would like to adopt it and check it for thrips periodically, please let us know at oisc@hawaii.edu. We will take your name down and contact you when we are ready to start monitoring.
- Want to more about naio thrips? Check out http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/naio-thrips/. If you have specific questions about the response, please call Rachel at 808-266-7994 or email at oiscmgr@hawaii.edu
- For more information about OISC targets, please visit: www.oahuisc.org.
HISC Support
- Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)
- Please visit the link above for general information.
- Western Governors' Association (WGA) meetings
 - HISC assisted with the workshop of the Western Governors’ Association Biosecurity and Invasive Species Initiative, hosted by WGA Chair Governor David Ige in Waikaloa on December 10. Governor Ige provided opening remarks for the workshop that included advocating for a regional biosecurity research facility to be based in Hawaii, as well as support for landscape-scale control of mosquitoes and general implementation of the Hawaii Interagency Biosecurity Plan. The workshop consisted of a series of panels on different topics related to biosecurity and invasive species, including state-federal coordination, new tools and technologies, and why management on islands can serve as a model for management across the western US. Videos of the Governor’s keynote and each panel can be found in our December special edition newsletter, along with slides from individual panelists.
 - Prior to the WGA workshop DLNR DOFAW staff hosted a site visit to Pu‘u Wa‘a Wa‘a Forest Reserve. WGA participants from around the US and the Pacific learned about efforts to control invasive species and conduct restoration at a site with numerous endangered species. Visitors also had the opportunity to plant native plants near the visitor’s center.
- The HISC Facebook page now has over 820 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.
- The statewide online pest reporting system answered 36 pest reports in December 2018. Facilitators responded to all reports with invasive species educational information.
- Reports by island:
- Hawaii - 14
- Maui - 3
- Oahu - 13
- Kauai - 2
- There were 5 reports of stinging ants.
 - Got flatworms?
We are asking people across the state to 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.
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Upcoming events
- 1/9: Mamalu Poepoe Working Group meeting.
- 1/10: Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) meeting.
- Thursday, January 10th from 9 am -12 pm in the HDOA PQ conference room (1849 Auiki St., Honolulu, HI) along with information for remote participation.
- Remote participation: https://zoom.us/j/437446780
- One tap mobile: +16699006833, 437446780# US (San Jose), +16468769923, 437446780# US (New York)
Dial by your location: +1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose), +1 646 876 9923 US (New York)
Meeting ID: 437 446 780
Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/asQjKRvG
- The agenda and notes from the last meeting can also be found on our website: http://www.cgaps.org/meetings/
- 1/29: Anticipated Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) meeting, pending Sunshine posting
- Tuesday, January 29th from 10 am - 12 pm in the DLNR Boardroom, 1151 Punchbowl Street
- 2/15: Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) Proclamation by Governor David Ige & HISAM 2019 Awards Ceremony
- Friday, February 15th in the Hawaii State Capitol Building
- HISAM Events (Note: Multiple Dates in February):
- 808 Cleanups: We will have multiple ongoing events involving invasive plant removals (mostly koa haole and buffelgrass), including these events in February:
- He'eia Estuary Restoration: Since the spring of 2015, Hui o Ko’olaupoko has been working at the mouth of He’eia Stream to clear invasive mangrove and other non-native plants in an effort to restore stream flow, re-plant native plants and improve habitat for native aquatic species and shorebirds. The majority of invasive species removal was completed in under one year and the re-planting of native species began in February 2016.
Volunteers will be involved in clearing invasive plant species from the stream and shoreline area using small hand tools and hand pulling small weeds as we work to open and create areas to outplant native species. We will wrap up this service event with a short walk on to the private He’eia Fish Pond wall to hear about its historical significance and how efforts to restore the fish pond are directly linked to the HOK project and other projects in the ahupua’a (valley).
- Wednesday, February 6th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Wednesday, February 13th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Saturday, February 16th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Wednesday, February 20th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Wednesday, February 27th, 9 am - 12 pm
- RSVP to volunteer@huihawaii.org to reserve your spot
- Kaha Native Plant Garden: This project is a living example of how individual homeowners can help improve the local environment through the use of native vegetation and xeriscape gardens. The project replaced grass and invasive species along 150 yards of stream bank with native Hawaiian plants which can be used for soil stabilization, biofiltration and water conservation. Visitors can walk the garden pathways to see how plantings might appear in their own backyard. Volunteers will be involved in clearing invasive plant species from the area using small hand tools and hand pulling small weeds as we work to open and create areas to outplant native species.
- Thursday, February 7th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Thursday, February 14th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Thursday, February 21st, 9 am - 12 pm
- Thursday, February 28th, 9 am - 12 pm
- RSVP to volunteer@huihawaii.org to reserve your spot
- Ko`olau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP):
- Saturday, February 9th, 8:30 am - 3 pm
- Event: Volunteer Workday - Invasive species removal and restoration
- Place: Manana Trail
- Saturday, February 23rd, 8:30 am - 12pm
- Event: Volunteer Workday - Invasive species removal and restoration
- Place: Waihee Valley
- RSVP: for more info, please visit: http://koolauwatershed.org/events/
- O`ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC): Surveys, "OISC-style" to remove invasive plants before they become widespread across the island. Volunteers will be hand-pulling plants and hiking off-trail in moderately steep to steep terrain with exposure to sun, rain, mosquitoes and muddy conditions. Volunteers should be physically fit for strenuous activity. Participants will be required to sign a waiver and provide emergency contact information. Minimum volunteer age is 12 years old. Children ages 12-14 must have an adult accompany them for the duration of the trip. Children ages 15-17 yrs. must have parent/guardian signature. Please call 808-266-7994 or email oisc@hawaii.edu with any questions.
- Papahana Kuaola:
- Saturday, February 16th, 9 am - 12 pm
- Event: Haʻikū Stream Restoration Day
- Focus is on removing invasive plants and animals from stream.
- Place: Papahana Kuaola
- Saturday, February 23rd, 9 am - 12 pm
- Event: Lā ʻOhana Waipao
- Focus is on removing invasive plants and animals from loʻi.
- Place: Papahana Kuaola
- Waikalua Loko I`a
- Saturday, February 9th, 8 am - 12 pm
- Event: Community Workday(lite lunch provided)
- Place: Waikalua Loko I`a
- RSVP: Rosalyn "Roz" Ku`uleimomi Rubio Dias Concepcion; Alaka`i Manager, roz@thepaf.org
- Windward Community College Rain Garden: This project consists of approximately 3,000 square feet of rain gardens and native vegetation in front of Hale 'Imiloa. Rain Gardens are designed to capture storm water run-off from impervious surfaces like roofs, roads and parking lots. The rain gardens trap and infiltrate the storm water run-off before it has a chance to carry pollutants into nearby streams and bays. Volunteers will be involved in clearing invasive plant species from the area using small hand tools and hand pulling small weeds as we work to open and create areas to out plant native species.
- HISC Brown Bag: Stay Tuned for the next Brown Bag presentations and see past presentations here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/category/brownbag/
- 1/16: Regulatory Mechanisms for Managing Albizia Statewide
- Wednesday, January 16th from 12:30 - 1:30 pm in the DOFAW Conference Room, Kalanimoku Building, Rm. 325, 1151 Punchbowl Street
- Presenter: Kathryn Stanaway has experience researching matters involving administrative, environmental, and constitutional law. She earned her J.D. in 2017 from the University of Hawaii Manoa, William S. Richardson School of Law, Her M.S. in Environmental Studies from Florida International University, and her B.S. in Ecology in 2001 from the University of California, San Diego. Prior to her current role, Kathryn was employed with the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) and DOFAW's Habitat Conservation Planning section.
- Join Remotely Via Webex: <==click the link
- Meeting number (access code): 804 359 238
- Meeting password: mim2m2tQ
- Join by Phone:
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