News & Updates

BOLO LIST

BE ON THE LOOK OUT (BOLO) FOR THESE SPECIES!

These are emergent pests that have limited distributions across the state. State-wide establishment of these pests would cause significant negative impacts.

Field industry personnel such as conservationists, landscapers, farmers, ranchers, along with the general public are urged to be aware and report these species, especially in areas where detections have not occurred.

Early detection and rapid response to new detections are critical to keep areas free of these harmful invasive species.

Report these pests to the statewide pest hotline: 643-PEST (643-7378), www.643pest.org or download the free Android or iPhone “643pest” smartphone app.

ROD – OʻAHU

Send photos and locations of symptomatic ʻōhiʻa: CLICK HERE TO REPORT!

ROD Symptoms in ʻōhiʻa trees = brown leaves attached

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Healthy ʻŌhiʻa

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Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) Detections on Oʻahu (as of June 2021) CLICK HERE FOR UPDATED MAP

Over 356 ʻōhiʻa trees have been sampled to test for the presence of ROD…
Only eight (8) trees have tested positive for the less aggressive ROD fungus, Ceratocystis huliohia.
There have been no detections of the very aggressive species, Ceratocystis lukuohia.

What Should You Do To Prevent the Spread?

Don’t injure ʻōhiʻa trees.
Clean soil from shoes and tools and spray with 70% rubbing alcohol if can.
Don’t move ʻōhiʻa logs or plant parts.
Don’t transport ʻōhiʻa inter-island.
Wash any vehicles/bikes that have been off-road with high pressure hose.

What is ROD?

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is a fungal pathogen new to science not ever seen before 2014. There are two (2) species of ROD:

Ceratocystis lukuohia – VERY aggressive and rapid death as occurs in as little as two weeks.
Ceratocystis huliohia – Less aggressive and death can take many months.

Quick Facts About ROD:

Symptoms of ROD are dead or dying ʻōhiʻa trees with brown leaves still attached.
Both species of ROD present the same symptoms: brown leaves on branches or entire tree.
ROD fungus lived INSIDE the tree, you cannot see it on leaves, branches or flowers.
ROD enters the ʻōhiʻa tree through a wound…do not injure ʻōhiʻa trees.
If you see suspect ROD, send photos to OISC via email: oisc@hawaii.edu or text to: 808-286-4616.
You can also always report using the free smartphone app: 643PEST

A variety of things can kill ʻōhiʻa trees and we canʻt know if itʻs ROD unless we get a sample of the wood from inside the tree. You cannot see ROD on leaves or branches…it grows inside the sapwood. This is where the tree moves water around. When the fungus plugs up the sapwood, no water can be moved and the leaves turn brown.

About ʻŌhiʻa

ʻŌhiʻa is the dominant canopy forest tree in the state with over 350 million trees across 800,000 on all the main Hawaiian islands. It is a keystone species, meaning itʻs integral to the ecosystem and the services they provide like clean water, water capture, as well as flood and erosion control. ʻŌhiʻa is also significant to Hawaiian culture and represented in numerous hula, moʻolelo, mele and oli. There are five species of ʻōhiʻa in Hawaiʻi. They are all endemic to our state, meaning they are found nowhere else in the world…and two of those five are endemic to Oʻahu island! You can see ʻōhiʻa in yards and in the forest.

For more details about ROD and ʻōhiʻa, visit: www.rapidohiadeath.org

February is HISAM 2021

The 2021 Virtual Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month is February! There will be a variety of fun and educational webinars, events, and activities for all ages!

Get to know the friendly faces of your conservation community and some of the pestiest of pests.

For list of links to FREE webinars, go to: HISAM 2021.

Follow #HISAM2021 on social media to keep up to date and get reminders for upcoming webinars and events!

JOIN THE DEVIL WEED CREW

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 Oahu trails and reporting their findings to OISC. There are also known areas on the island where Devil Weed is prevalent and large patches will need to be removed. We may reach out for help with these. This is a community led effort to help OISC determine the spread of devil weed on Oʻahu. ANYONE can participate anytime…just survey when/where you can!

Simply pick a trail from our list.
Look for devil weed on the trail.
Report whether or not you find it using a free smart phone app.

Get started by heading over the Devil Weed Crew volunteer page!

Questions…Contact Erin Bishop, OISC Outreach Coordinator. E: oisc@hawaii.edu, C: 808-286-4616

October Is Stop The Ant Month in Hawai‘i

October is “Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month” in Hawai‘i. This campaign is being conducted state-wide to educate residents of the threats posed by little fire ant, especially the painful stings to our families and the blindness it causes in pets. We are asking for your help to participate in early detection surveys by collecting and submitting ant samples to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture or OISC for identification. By testing once a year, you can ensure that you are either LFA-free or find the ants while the infestation is still small enough to eradicate.

Collecting ants is easy…just need some sticks and peanut butter. During the month of October, you can also pick up free LFA test kits to collect ants at the following locations:

- - - - Kailua – Ko‘olau Farmers
      - Kāneʻohe – Ko‘olau Farmers
      - Kāneʻohe – Yamashiroʻs (Ace Hardware)
      - Pearl City – Home Depot Garden Center
      - Haleʻiwa – Ace Hardware
      - Lāʻie – Ace Hardware

To see the status of LFA detections on O‘ahu and other islands, CLICK HERE

What are little fire ants, and why are they so bad?

Unless you’ve encountered the wrath of these tiny pests, you may ask “what’s the big deal?”. Well, among all of the world’s invasive pests – the plants, animals, insects, bacteria…LFA have top-chart billing as one of the world’s worst 100 invasive species.

Little fire ants (LFA) are native to Central & South America, but have been spreading across the Pacific, damaging the envrionmnent, economy and the quality of life of those subjected to their stings. LFA sting the eyes of pets, leading to blindness. LFA damage crops, food production, and the economy everywhere they have spread. LFA alter (or impact) people’s lives because their stings are unavoidable.

Doesn’t Hawaii already have fire ant? How are LFA different?

Many of us have been stung by the common Tropical Fire Ants, which nest in the ground in sunny fields and beach parks. These are NOT the same as Little Fire Ants. LFA is a very tiny ant-about as long as a penny is thick and prefer shady, moist areas. They can nest in the trees and on the ground. LFA’s sting packs a wallop and when they fall out of trees, a person gets multiple stings all at once.

LFA have been detected on all main Hawaiian Islands except Molokai, and are only established on the Big Island. The Hawaii Ant Lab is based in Hilo and conducts research on invasive ant impacts, prevention and treatment methods, and eradication plans. They provide resources and information for the public and work closely with the residents of Big Island to best manage little fire ant infestations around their homes.

Early detection is key to preventing LFA from establishing.

LFA are established in areas on the Big Island and it’s highly unlikely there will be an island-wide eradication, but finding them early significantly increases chances of spreading across the island, as well as between all the islands. When infestations become larger, costs increase dramatically and the chances of successful eradication are also much lower.

On Oahu, the residents of Mililani Mauka were crucial to the success of eliminating the infestation there. A resident brought samples to HDOA after being stung and because of this, the infestation was discovered while it was relatively small. Equally important, all the neighbors allowed staff on their property to test for and to treat the ants.

We need your help!!

LFA can spread across an island and move between islands in any materials – including fresh fruit, cut flowers, potted plants, household items and vehicles. The best way to help is to test your yard for little fire ant at least once a year. It’s quick, easy and a fun activity to do with kids. There are written instructions and a video explaining how to test at the website www.stoptheant.org.

OISC Virtual Outreach is Here!!

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.

Educational Resources: Resources for teacher and parents include on-demand webinars, activity worksheets and downloadable lesson plans.
Community Outreach: OISC provides information and updates to a wide variety of community organizations and groups and meetings and events.
Volunteer Trips: What better way to learn about invasive species than to go into the field and survey OISC style!
Print Materials: Downloadable fliers and brochures.

OISC IS HIRING!!

OISC is now accepting applications for a full-time Fiscal & Program Assistant through July 13, 2020.

RCUH JOB ID: 220222

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $2,424-$4,372/Mon.

DUTIES: Provides essential fiscal, operational, and administrative support for OISC’s invasive species control program and for OISC cooperators. Responsible for the formulation, oversight, tracking, and projection of the project’s budget, including multiple individual accounts with different accounting periods. Coordinates contracts and receipt of grant funds with granting agencies and fiscal sponsors. Determines whether requests for no-cost extension for grants are necessary. Modifies budgets as needed. Manages all project expenditures including, but not limited to, assignment of accounts for staff salary and fringe, equipment and office supply inventory, equipment, vehicle and baseyard repairs, and researching/selecting vendors and products. Executes all purchases, including delivery or pick-up. Projects future budget needs. Serves as primary custodian of $500 imprest funds (authorization, completion). Works closely with OISC Manager to decide budget priorities. Work must be done in accordance with applicable State and Federal regulations and laws, especially regarding invasive species, safety and health, and pesticides. Oversees all fiscal, personnel, and administrative documents to ensure project efficiency. Responsible for administrative tasks integral to the function of OISC operations. Oversees up to five (5) field crew workers and volunteers performing occasional administrative and research tasks as needed. Researches grant opportunities. Prepares budgets for grant proposals. Organizes OISC Committee meetings, documents and summarizes OISC meetings and action items. Edits proposals, reports, letters, manuscripts, and public relations or educational material.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university. (Associate’s Degree from an accredited community college and one to three (1-3) years of experience managing a budget, processing payments, acquiring supplies, or related experience may substitute for a Bachelor’s Degree.).

EXPERIENCE: One to three (1-3) years of experience formulating and managing a budget.

ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS: Thorough knowledge of Microsoft Excel and Word. Ability to communicate effectively in writing and verbally. Excellent mathematical ability. Must be accurate, dependable, and detail oriented. Excellent organizational skills. Ability to maintain confidentiality regarding personnel and budgetary matters. Post Offer/Employment Condition: Must be able to pass a post offer criminal background check.

POLICY AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawai‘i’s and/or business entity’s policies and procedures. Violation of RCUH’s, UH’s, or business entity’s policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS: Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Business, Finance or Accounting. Expertise with purchasing goods and services in excess of $100,000 annually. Experience formulating and managing an organizational budget in excess of $500,000 with multiple funding streams. Experience with assigning personnel costs to grants. Experience working in an office to support publicly funded programs or non-profit work.

INQUIRIES: Nathan Dube (808) 292-6691 (Oahu).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to www.rcuh.com and search JOB ID: 220222. You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Supervisory References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-8344 or (808)956-0872.

RCUH’s mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai‘i, with a focus on the University of Hawai‘i.

Equal Opportunities Employer – Minorities/Women/Disability/Veteran.

Here are some more links for other conservation job postings in Hawaiʻi.

RCUH Jobs: https://www.rcuh.com/work/job-postings/
Conservation Connections: http://conservationconnections.org/opportunities/type/full-time

DID YOU RECEIVE A PEST ALERT POSTCARD IN THE MAIL?

If you received the pest alert post card, LFA have been detected in your neighborhood. We are asking that everyone collect and submit any ants you have on your property or in your home for identification. LFA are tiny and can go undetected for a long time before you start to feel their sting. On their own, they spread very slowly as the ant population grows, but they can easily be spread from yard to yard when we move potted plants, yard materials, equipment…just about anything!

The eradication of these isolated population can only be successful if we can find them early and work together to get rid of them. To do this, we need to know how far these ants have spread in your neighborhood. Now more than ever, we need your help in finding any additional infestations in your areas.

Let us know you surveyed for ants online. We’re all doing our part to stay home during the pandemic. Some ants we can rule out as LFA with just a photo. We’ll let you know if it’s a suspect LFA and should be identified by species. Simply fill out this shorty survey and tell us (or submit a photo) of what you find: MY ANT SURVEY

There have been several little fire ant (LFA) detections on Oahu in the last year. Residents have reported getting bitten or stung by something in their yard. Suspecting it could be LFA, they collected and submitted their ants for identification. Luckily, most of these have turned out to be small populations and with the help of area residents, we have either already begun treatment for eradication or they are in the planning phase to start treatment.

Collecting and submitting your ants is fast and easy…just 3 steps: VIDEO ON HOW TO SURVEY

LFA love cheap peanut butter! Mayonnaise or lunch meat is also a good substitute if you have a peanut allergy. Place a THIN smear of peanut butter or mayo on the end of a coffee stirrer, popsicle stick or chopstick. Place them in shady areas in your yard, potted plants, around pet food bowls, even indoors.
Collect the sticks after 30-60 minutes (no longer than an hour). Any sticks with ants, put into a ziptop bag and freeze overnight.
When ready to send your ants, simply mail them to be identified. Include your contact info with your ziptop bag of ants from the freezer. Prepare an envelope addressed to:
- Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture- Attn: HAL
- 1428 S. King St.
- Honolulu, HI 96814

Once received and identified, you will be contacted informing you whether or not your ants are LFA. If they are, the Hawaii Dept. of Agriculture and Hawaii Ant Lab will discuss with you the next steps toward eradicating these harmful ants. We appreciate your help and your patience. Normally, we would try to visit all of the houses in affected neighborhoods in person. We hope that everyone stays safe and that we will soon be able to resume our work in communities, protecting our islands from harmful invasive species.

If you have questions, you can contact us: 808-286-4616 or email: oisc@hawaii.edu.

Congressman Ed Case Introduces Measures to Combat Invasive Species in Hawaii

H.R.5506 – Hawaii Invasive Species Protection Act:

Press Release December 19, 2019

Congressman Ed Case (HI-01) today introduced a bill to require that all baggage and cargo transporting into the State of Hawai’i by air or sea be inspected for invasive species and high-risk agricultural materials.

Case’s colleague, Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard ((HI-02), co-introduced the measure, entitled the Hawai’i Invasive Species Protection Act .

“We must act now because invasive species pose an especially grave and accelerating threat to Hawai’i ,” said Case. “Isolated Hawai’i has one of the highest numbers and rate of endemic species anywhere and invasive species have wreaked havoc on our natural environment.

Case continued: “In the last 200 years, 28 bird, 72 snail, 74 insect and 97 plant species have gone extinct in large part because of invasives. Since 2005 alone, 195 new invasive species have been introduced, and they have triggered not only widespread environmental but economic damage as well.

“Leading countries have required strict invasive prevention measures. Even the continental United States requires inspections of goods from Hawai’i to prevent the introduction of species that may damage mainland crops.”

“This bill is important to help protect Hawai‘i’s ecosystem which is critical in so many ways — its beauty brings visitors from across the world, its unique nature is reflected in the rich cultural heritage of our Native Hawaiian community, and its abundance is vital to our agricultural economy,” said Rep. Tulsi Gabbard. “This bill will help preserve Hawai‘i’s unique beauty and bounty for our residents and visitors alike.”

Case explained that his measure would simply require the same inspection protocol for goods coming to Hawai’i that is currently imposed when leaving the islands.

“This is the protocol that is followed by leading invasive prevention countries overseas – and if it’s good for the rest of the country and world, it’s good for Hawai’i,” said Case.

Case said the cost of inspections would be paid for from increases in the current agriculture quarantine inspection fee.

“Protecting Hawai’i’s agriculture and environment from invasive species that may be transported to our state is a monumental task,” said Phyllis Shimabukuro-Geiser, chairperson of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture. “We appreciate the assistance of the U.S. Congress and our federal partners in helping to increase our biosecurity.”

Case pointed out that Hawai’i’s unique circumstances also have given rise to one of our nation’s most diverse and productive agricultural communities. “With a year-round growing cycle, our crops have ranged throughout our history from the highest quality sugar and pineapple and cattle to tropical specialty crops like fruit and cut flowers in the highest demand worldwide,” said Case.

“Yet it is exactly because these crops like our natural resources have adapted to Hawai’i’s uniqueness that they are the most susceptible to devastation from external species against which they have no natural defenses.

Invasive species have drastically impacted agriculture in Hawai‘i, threatening some of the island’s most valuable crops in the state’s third-largest industry.

Case pointed to two examples of the destruction brought on by invasives:

The coffee berry borer, which was discovered in Kona in 2010, now infects all of the coffee growing islands in Hawai‘i, except Kaua‘i. The coffee berry borer can cause yield losses of between 30 and 35 percent and affects the quality of the coffee beans, directly impacting the income of growers. Our failure to prevent coffee leaf rust from entering Hawai’i could leave one of Hawai’i’s most iconic industries devastated.
Hawai’i’s third most valuable crop, the macadamia nut, is under threat from the macadamia felted coccid. Macadamia felted coccid has been found in all of Hawai’i Island’s macadamia growing regions. The felted coccid reduces macadamia tree output by draining nutrients from the tree. Invasive species coupled with increased rain led to a 22 percent decline in the macadamia nut harvest this year compared to last year.

“Yet despite these incontrovertible and growing impacts of external species on Hawai’i’s natural resources and economy, existing federal law leaves Hawaii largely defenseless against increasingly destructive invasives,” said Case. “Imports by air and sea, the only means of in-bound transportation to our island state, lack any effective regulation to screen out invasives.

“This is despite a fairly robust screening of exports from Hawai’i to the Continental United States to screen out invasives from Hawai’i viewed as harmful to mainland agriculture – invasives that, ironically, were invasives into Hawai’i to start with,” said Case.

ARE YOU GETTING BITTEN OR STUNG IN YOUR YARD?

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

It’s easy…you just need to place a very thin smear of peanut butter on the end of a stick, a small piece of paper and leave it in a damp, shady area for 1 hour.
Place any sticks that have ants into a ziptop bag and freeze overnight to kill the ants.
Mail the ziptop bag of ants to either HDOA: 1428 S. King St., Honolulu 96814 or OISC: 743 Ulukahiki St., Kailua 96734…we’ll identify them and let you know.

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

Reported December 19, 2018 – Samples submitted to HAL
Treatment zone 2 acres; 11 properties involved
Treatment began January 2019; survey in July 2019 found no LFA
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Ahuimanu, Oahu

Reported January 25, 2019 – Samples submitted by resident to Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC)
Treatment zone 2 acres; 12 properties involved
Treatment began March 2019
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, OISC

Lanikai, Oahu

Reported June 13, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL.
Treatment zone < 2 acres; 6 properties involved
Treatment began July 17, 2019
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Kualoa, Oahu

Reported May 8, 2019 – Kualoa staff submitted ant samples to OISC.
Treatment zone 20 acres; pastures, natural areas, unpaved roadways
Treatment began September 16, 2019
Participating Partners: Kualoa Ranch, HAL, HDOA, GCAPS, OISC, Oahu Army National Resource Program
(OANRP), U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS),

Makiki Heights, Oahu

Reported July 23, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HAL – Oahu
Treatment zone approximately 5 acres; 18 properties involved
Treatment began October 9, 2019
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Pauoa, Oahu

Reported August 30, 2019 – Resident submitted ant samples to HDOA/HAL
Delimiting surveys currently being conducted on approximately 2 acres and 8 properties involved
Treatment will begin when surveys are complete
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL

Laie, Oahu

Reported October 7, 2019
Delimiting surveys currently being conducted
Participating partners: HDOA, HAL, GCAPS, OISC, OANRP, USFWLS