Planning a hike? Want to help stop invasive species? We need your help to find out whether or not devil weed is present on Oʻahu’s trails. We simply don’t have the resources to survey all Oʻahu hiking trails for this invasive plant…so we are asking you to look for it on your next hike.
This is a community led effort to help OISC determine the spread of devil weed on Oʻahu. ANYONE can participate anytime!!
The list of trails and more details coming in late January 2021!!
We’re so excited to launch this new community volunteer program! Being part of the crew will mean you will really get to know (and love getting rid of) this invasive plant.
We are looking for people to commit to surveying specific areas and priority trails at least twice a year. There are also known areas on the island where Devil Weed is prevalent and large patches will need to be removed.
If you or your group is interested in participating, OISC will conduct virtual trainings every month on plant identification, how to manually remove large patches and mature plants, and how to report the data using a free smartphone app.
Are you interested in being part of the DEVIL WEED CREW? Email us to get on the list for the first virtual training happening in February.
Contact Erin Bishop, OISC Outreach Coordinator. E: oisc@hawaii.edu, C: 808-286-4616
OISC is available to host live webinars for both virtual classrooms or community meetings. We also have on-demand webinars and educational worksheets and games for keiki.
Don’t see what you’re looking for? Reach out to us and we can accommodate your remote learning needs.
To schedule a live webinar for your classroom or community meeting, contact OISC via email: oisc@hawaii.edu or call 808-286-4616.
The Oʻahu Invasive Specie Committee (OISC) is complying with the state and county emergency proclamations. Our office and administrative staff will be teleworking and our field crew is operating modified field work field. We are committed to not only keeping our forests safe from invasive species, but also doing all we can to protect our staff, their families and our community
We are teleworking and available Mondays – Fridays, 7am-330pm. You can reach us via email: oisc@hawaii.edu, or contact our outreach staff at (808) 286-4616 for inquiries. We are still taking reports, but with these modified field operations there may be delays in actionable responses. However, we will note the report and if actionable, schedule the removable as soon as we are able.
The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture is still operating with essential staff and the statewide pest hotline is still receiving reports. You can report suspect invasive species by calling 643-PEST (7378), report online: www.643pest.org, or download the 643pest smartphone app for free.
Virtual Outreach is now available! OISC has the capability to host live webinars for both virtual classrooms or community meetings. We also are creating on-demand webinars and educational worksheets and games. We are continuously updating or educational resources and community outreach pages with new materials. https://www.oahuisc.org/outreach-education/
To schedule a live webinar for your classroom or community meeting, contact OISC via email: oisc@hawaii.edu or call 808-286-4616.
We wish you and your families aloha and good health in the upcoming weeks!
For the latest updates about COVID-19 in Hawaiʻi: https://hawaiicovid19.com/
SEVERAL LITTLE FIRE ANTS INFESTATIONS CURRENTLY UNDERGOING TREATMENT ON OAHU.
These recent detections of little fire ants on Oahu are the results of residents submitting ants for identification after being repeatedly “bitten” in their yard. There are over 50 species of ants in Hawaii and none are native. However, some are worse than others…and little fire ants are one of the worst in the world. There are several stinging ants widely established on the island that are similar in color and size. To identify ants by their species, they need to be looked at under a microscope. So, the public is asked to collect and send their ants for identification.
If little fire ant infestations are found early….the successful eradication of that colony is greatly increased.
So please…COLLECT & SUBMIT YOUR ANTS FOR IDENTIFICATION: “How to Test for LFA,” which shows the step-by-step procedure for testing for LFA: https://vimeo.com/97558997
For more information on Stop the Ant campaign, go to: http://stoptheant.org/
LFA was first detected in the state on Hawaii Island in 1999. However, by time it was found, the ants were widely disbursed on the island and no treatment protocol existed for eradication. The HAL was then established to research best method of eradication and control of LFA. The treatment plans developed by HAL and HDOA entomologists have been very successful in eradicating new infestations. The protocol uses several types of pesticides and bait formulas applied on a six-week interval for a total of eight treatments. Originally from South America, LFA is considered among the world’s worst invasive species. LFA are tiny ants, measuring 1/16th inch long, and pale orange in color. LFA move slowly, unlike the tropical fire ant, which is established in Hawaii, can move quickly, and is much larger with a larger head in proportion to its body. LFA can produce painful stings and large red welts and may cause blindness in pets. They can build up very large colonies on the ground, in trees and other vegetation, and inside buildings and homes and completely overrun a property.
Are these little fire ants? Don’t know! There are several ants similar in size and color that are widespread in Hawaii. We can’t ID the ant species unless we look at them under a microscope. Collect and send your ants in for identification and find out what species of ants you have.
Current Areas Under Treatment for LFA on Oahu:
Kaneohe, Oahu
Ahuimanu, Oahu
Lanikai, Oahu
Kualoa, Oahu
Makiki Heights, Oahu
Pauoa, Oahu
Laie, Oahu
Dead leaves still attached to ʻōhiʻa (as seen here from the air)…this is known as “flagging” and symptomatic of potential presence of ROD inside the tree.
(Honolulu) – An aerial survey of some 20,000 acres of forest on O‘ahu has resulted in the fourth detection of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) in an ʻōhiʻa in the Moanalua Section of the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve above Tripler Army Medical Center.
“Fortunately,” explains State Protection Forester Rob Hauff of the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), this tree is infected with Ceratocystis huliohia, the less aggressive species of the fungus associated with ROD.” The tree was located using a helicopter-mounted camera system developed by the University of Hawai‘i-Hilo, Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab (SDAV). The collected images were analyzed in partnership with staff from the O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) and DOFAW, as part of an on-going effort to improve the ability of field personnel to spot potentially infected trees.
The previous detections of the same species on O‘ahu include single trees on Kamehameha Schools land in Waiawa, and on two private properties in Windward O‘ahu residential areas. Nathan Dube, the manager of the OISC said both of those trees were planted ʻōhiʻa. He said, “Both of these detections were from concerned landowners, who reported their dead or dying ʻōhiʻa to OISC. An OISC field team cut down the trees, dissected them, and sent samples to a lab in Hilo for positive confirmation and for research purposes.”
The aerial survey that picked up the tree in the Honolulu Watershed Forest Reserve, focused on the area adjacent to the earlier Waiawa detection. Surveyors identified about 40 additional trees from the images that need to be sampled for the disease, including ground-truthing. That process will take some time, as the area is rugged and difficult to reach. DOFAW and OISC crews, with the help from experts on Hawai’i Island, decided to remove the infected branch of the tree and monitor it monthly for further signs of disease. Crews used a sealant on the wound to prevent additional disease infection.
*Please report location of dead or dying ʻōhiʻa trees with dead leaves still attached on O‘ahu to OISC at: oisc@hawaii.edu (Photos are helpful)
Surveying 20,000 acres of forest on Oahu. using helicopter mounted camera system designed by UH-Hilo, Spatial Data Analysis and Visualization Lab.
Residents and visitors can help protect our remaining ʻōhiʻa forests with the following actions:
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death has now been detected on Hawai‘ Island, Maui, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu since the fungal disease was first discovered in 2014. To date, the more aggressive form of the disease has not been found on Maui or O‘ahu, and is extremely limited on Kaua‘i.
Submit a report using to alert the 643Pest Network of new pest sightings in Hawaii. The website 643pest.org (and the 643-PEST telephone hotline) are services provided by the State of Hawai‘i to help direct pest reports to the appropriate responding agency, or to community-based partnerships working with the state on invasive species issues.
…and they have just launched a new app for your smart phone! You can download the app using the QR code at the bottom or just search “643Pest” in your app store. Just keep it on your phone and reporting suspect pests is a breeze. It’s free, easy to use, and applicable state-wide. Together, we can stop the spread of invasive species!
Remember to call 911 immediately for all snake sightings.
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death symptoms include rapid browning of affected tree crowns. Trees die so fast, the leaved remain even after the tree has died.
In an effort to prevent spread of this devastating disease to other islands, the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture approved an emergency quarantine measure on intrastate movement of ‘ōhi‘a and ‘ōhi‘a products.
Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) is caused by two strains of the fungus Ceratocystis that until now, where unknown to science. Ceratocystis lukuohia, destroyer of ‘ōhi‘a and Ceratocystis huliohia, turning of ‘ōhi‘a. Both fungi infect and kill ‘ōhi‘a by attacking the vascular system of the tree. These fungal strains haven’t been seen before and there is no known cure for this new disease, but the quarantine will afford researchers more time to look for ways to mitigate the impacts.
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death has now been detected on Hawai‘i Island, Maui, Kaua‘i and O‘ahu. To date, the more aggressive form of the disease has not been found on Maui or O‘ahu, and is extremely limited on Kaua‘i.
Everyone is asked to help stop the spread of ROD by following these 5 steps:
*approved decontamination treatment proven to kill ROD fungus: spray with 70% rubbing alcohol.
ON O‘AHU: PLEASE REPORT DEAD/DYING ‘ŌHI‘A TREES WITH BROWN LEAVES.
OISC has been assisting with reports of suspect ‘ōhi‘a trees on O‘ahu by collecting samples and submitting them to the ROD Team on the Big Island. Samples submitted have tested negative for ROD. On O‘ahu, If you see a dead or dying ‘ōhi‘a trees that still have brown leaves attached, you can contact OISC at 266-7994 or email oisc@hawaii.edu. Also, please take a photo (if can) of the suspect tree and note the precise location in the report.
For current news, maps and pictures, visit: www.rapidohiadeath.org or Facebook/rapidohiadeath
Read More Here: Board of Agriculture Restricts Movement of Ohia
