News & Updates

CRB found in Waimanalo

On July 19th, 2018 an adult female coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was found in Waimanalo. This is the first detection on Oahu’s east side since the beetle arrived on the island in December 2013. There are no other signs of beetles establishing themselves in the area and more traps have been deployed to aid in monitoring. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture biological control section chief, Darcy Oishi, says it’s likely the beetle hitchhiked to the area.

Coconut rhinoceros beetles breed in mulch and green waste piles. Adult beetles feed not only on coconut trees, but also date palms, pineapple, taro, sugar cane, papaya, hala and native loulu palms. It’s recommended to inspect mulch and green waste piles regularly and report any suspect CRB grubs, adults or suspected damage to CRB Response at 679-5244 or email BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com.

CRB is the largest beetle on Oahu….about the size of your thumb. It is nocturnal, unlike the Oriental Flower Beetle which are active in the day. Oriental Flower beetles are much smaller, have no horn and are mottled with fleck of gold or white. The dung beetle if often thought of as a baby CRB, but not the case…baby CRB are grubs.

CRB damage on leaves results in angular “v-cuts” in the leaves.

Bore holes at the base of palm frond.

Bore holes made by adult CRB

Bore hole made by adult CRB.

Various life stages (instars) and sizes of the CRB larvae

Videos: Larvae movement; CRB grub vs. Oriental Flower Beetle grub

JOBS

OISC is not hiring at this time. To view other positions with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit projects, CLICK HERE.

You can also get more information on conservation jobs in Hawai‘i at Conservation Career Compass.

Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month 2018

The State of Hawaii is hosting the 1st annual Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) for the month of February 2018. HISAM is an expansion on the past 5 years of hosting the Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Week and is organized in coordination with the U.S. National Invasive Species Awareness Week (NISAW) and regional Pacific Invasive Species Awareness efforts. HISAM seeks to promote information sharing and public engagement in what the Hawaii State Legislature has declared “the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii’s people.”

CLICK HERE FOR LIST OF HISAM EVENTS

6th Annual HISC Awards: Recognizing individuals and groups for their outstanding service to Hawaii in the fight against invasive species.

Award Categories :

Business Leader: Recognizes an individual in the private sector or a business that has demonstrated leadership in their role of protecting Hawaii from invasive species.
Community Hero: Recognizes a community member or community-based group that has been a shining example of dedication to prevent and/or manage invasive species.
Greatest Hit: Recognizes an individual, organization, or agency responsible for one of the major invasive species highlights in the areas of research, prevention, control, and/or public outreach.
Island MVPs: Four awards will be given in this category and are selected by the various Island Invasive Species Committee to recognize an individual or group that has made substantial contributions towards advancing invasive species management in Hawaii.
Hottest Pest Report: Recognizes an individual who reported a high-profile invasive species to the 643pest invasive species reporting system.

Do You Have Little Fire Ant?

HAVE YOU TESTED YOUR YARD FOR LITTLE FIRE ANT? It’s soooo easy and even more important. Find them…before they find you!!

We need your help! ...you can pick up free test kits at these Oʻahu locations to collect and send in your ant samples:

Mānoa Public Library: 2716 Woodlawn Dr. Manoa, HI 96822 HOURS

Waikiki-Kapahulu Library: 400 Kapahulu Ave. Honolulu, HI 96815 HOURS

Waimānalo Library: 41-1320 Kalanianaeole Hwy. Waimanalo, HI 96795 HOURS

Pearl City Home Depot: 1021 Kamehameha Hwy, Pearl City, HI 96782 HOURS

Do you need a free test kit? NO…all you need are chopsticks and peanut butter: How To Test for LFA

Q: We’ve already got fire ants are everywhere…I always get stung at the beach and the park. What’s the big deal?

A: Most people on Oʻahu have experienced “Tropical Fire Ant”…but “Little Fire Ant” is a different beast. Tropical Fire Ants live in sunny, dry areas….while Little Fire Ants like it shady and damp. Also, Little Fire Ants will live in the trees and on the ground. People who have experienced areas heavily infested with little fire ant talk of “raining ants” and getting repeated stings on their head, face, arms and back. This is the situation we want to avoid on Oʻahu.

Q: I’ve never seen little fire ant at my place, why should I test?

A: Just because you don’t see them, doesn’t mean they’re not there. Little fire ant only spread about 60 feet per year (as long as we don’t move them). So, they could be hanging out in a shrub, going unnoticed for a long time. We want to find them BEFORE they spread all over your yard. If we can find them while their colonies are still small…it’s so much easier to eradicate them.

Q: What happens if I do have little fire ants?

A: Because they are still not widespread on Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi Dept. of Agriculture will help you get rid of them!

Q: Do I have to have go pick up one of these fancy test kits?

A: Nope!! All you need are some chopsticks, popsicle sticks, or coffee stirrers, a ziplock bag and some peanut butter (use lunch meat or mayo if you’re allergic to peanut butter). Testing is quick and easy in just 5 steps! For testing details, CLICK HERE

For more information on little fire ants in Hawaiʻi…visit: www.stoptheant.org

The New 643-PEST App is Here!!

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.

State Budget Hearing: March 29th

The state budget bill is up for hearing on Wednesday March 29th. Please consider writing a letter to support the DLNR’s budget requests. The requests are for funding the Hawai’i Invasive Species Council’s grant program, from which OISC receives its base funding. The overall amount for HISC in the budget is not less than last year, but DLNR did request an additional $500,000 for invasive species, along with $500,000 for watershed partnerships and 7.5 million for fence-building. The Senate Ways and Means committee has indicated the additional operating funds and fence building will be cut. However these additional funds are necessary as we face a future with no federal funds to support our work. OISC has already received word that $50,000 of federal funds that support our work in 2017, will not be available next year.

A sample letter is below, please note your letter will be published on the Legislature’s website, so only include your address or phone number if it is a business.

There are 2 ways you can submit testimony:

1. By emailing the Ways & Means Committee at least 24 hrs before the hearing.

You can email your testimony to the Ways and Means Committee up until 9:30am on Tuesday the 28th at: WAMtestimony@capitol.hawaii.gov

2. Register at the Hawaii State Legislature

Website: http://www.capitol.hawaii.gov/login/register.asp and then submit your testimony online.

Mahalo in advance for your help! Please feel free to call OISC at 808-292-6691 if you have any questions.

Testimony of [name or company/entity name]

Supporting Funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources’

Watershed and Invasive Species Programs

in H.B. 100 Relating to the State Budget

Senate Committee on Ways & Means

Wednesday, March 29, 2017, 9:30AM, Room 211

I [or_company/entity name_supports] am in strong support of funding for the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ and Department of Agriculture’s invasive species and watershed protection programs.

Invasive species affect everyone. Our water supply is at risk because our forests are at risk, our locally-grown crops are attacked by pests and diseases, our heritage trees like ʻōhiʻa are threatened by disease, and our health and well-being can be harmed by stinging insects and mosquito-borne diseases. However, we recognize that together we can make a difference if we make it a high priority for our government and ourselves to prevent new introductions, control the worst pests already present, educate ourselves and others, and use good science to support our collective efforts.

Feel free to include some specific information about yourself or your organization and why this issue and your ISC is important to you. Information about local jobs created or maintained is also useful to include.]

Thank you for your support.

Sincerely,

[name and title – your actual signature is nice but not essential]

HISAW 2017 Video Contest

VIDEO CONTEST!

GRADES: 7-12 (Schools in Hawaii only)

TOPIC: Impacts of Invasive Species on Hawaii’s Economy, Environment, Quality of Life, or Human Health

LENGTH: 30 seconds

DETAILS: Create a short (30sec) video based on the topic described above. Videos can follow any type of format (interview, musical, animation, documentary, etc.)

JUDGING: Videos will be judged based on these five categories

Accuracy of information
Relation to contest topic
Creativity
Production quality
Overall presentation

PRIZES: Either Amazon or Apple Store gift card. 1st prize: $175, 2nd prize: $125, 3rd prize: $75. Winners will also receive HISC prize packs!

All submissions are due by February 20th, 2017. Video Clips can be submitted electronically via Dropbox by uploading them at this web address: https://www.dropbox.com/request/Zd58RaVXkjeik0erfDi5

Please include a separate document with your contact information (Name, Grade, School, Email or Phone, Video Title). **Do not include personal info in the video.

*By submitting a video, you agree to allow the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to post it on the HISAW web page and to use it for future invasive species outreach.

For more information, visit http://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisaw/or Send an email to: johncarl.r.watson@hawaii.gov

MAHALO!!!

OCTOBER IS “SPOT THE ANT, STOP THE ANT MONTH”

Have you tested for little fire ant?

This 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 testing their yards for LFA and submit their samples to the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. 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.

During the month of October, you can pick up free LFA testing kits AND drop off your ants at the following libraries on Oahu:

Hawaii State Library, Hawaii Kai, Kahuku, Kailua, Kaneohe, Manoa, Mililani, Wahiawa, and Waimanalo.

Do you need a pre-packaged kit? Nope! …if you have chopsticks, peanut butter and a ziptop bag, you can do the test. We just want to make it as easy as possible for you to test and submit your ant samples. Just test and submit any ants you find.

HOW TO TEST VIDEO

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.

Public Hearings for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Quarantine Rule

Testify…and show your ʻŌhiʻa Love!

The Department of Agriculture will hold public hearings to receive testimony on the proposed amendment to add a permanent rule that will maintain the current, temporary quarantine restrictions to prevent Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death from spreading from Hawaiʻi Island.

The hearing on Oʻahu will be on August 31st, 2016 from 5pm-7pm, at the Dept. of Agriculture’s Quality Assurance Division at 1851 Auiki St.

TESTIFY IN PERSON:

The hearing on Oʻahu will be on August 31st, 2016 from 5pm-7pm, at the Dept. of Agriculture’s Quality Assurance Division at 1851 Auiki St. Please register with staff prior to the convening of the hearing…sign up sheet.

WRITTEN TESTIMONY: COMMENTS MUST BE SUBMITTED BY SEPTEMBER 7th by 7pm.

Via postal mail to: Plant Quarantine Branch, 1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819

or via FAX at: (808) 832-0584

or via e-mail at: hdoa.pqspec@hawaii.gov. Please include the word “testimony” and the subject matter when submitting testimony by e-mail.

It is imperative to stop the spread of this devastating fungal pathogen; and the temporary quarantine has successfully intercepted infected ‘ōhi‘a from being shipped to neighbor islands.

ʻŌhiʻa trees are the keystone species of our native forests and an integral part of our state’s most valuable watersheds. ʻŌhiʻa forests cover 865,000 acres statewide, and half of the native trees on Hawai‘i Island alone are ʻōhiʻa.

A team of state and federal scientists continue researching ways to save healthy trees by searching for any genetic resistance, minimizing transference of the fungus, and possible fungicides.

If the permanent rule cannot be established, ʻŌhiʻa logs, plant parts and soil will be able to freely move inter-island with NO inspection for the disease.

Ohia Notice of Public Hearing

Ohia Rule Amendment

For more information on ROD, visit www.rapidohiadeath.org and like them on Facebook.

SHOW YOUR ‘ŌHI‘A LOVE!

Board of Agriculture to hold hearing on proposed permanent ‘ōhi‘a quarantine rule on Monday, May 9th at 1:30pm.

The current quarantine restricting the movement from the Island of Hawai‘i to other islands, of ‘ōhi‘a wood, plants, plant parts, and soil without a permit has been extremely effective–for example, the Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) fungus has been detected in ‘ōhi‘a logs that would have otherwise been shipped to counties. This is a TEMPORARY interim rule, and if a permanent rule is not in place by August 25th, ‘ōhi‘a wood, plants and plant parts, and soil will be free to move anywhere in Hawai‘i WITHOUT Ohia Graphic inspection or permits. In order to prevent the free movement of the ROD fungus, the process to make this quarantine permanent has begun.

The Board of Agriculture (BOA) Plants and Animals Committee meeting will be hearing and discussing the proposed permanent ‘ōhi‘a quarantine rule, which is the first step. The Committee will discuss the proposed rule and recommend whether or not the proposed rule will be sent to the BOA as is, or with changes, and whether or not they think the BOA should approve the proposed rule for public hearing. The Plants and Animals Committee meeting is at 1:30 p.m. on Monday May 9 at the HDOA PQ Conference Room on Auiki st., and is open to the public. Agenda

Public comments will be accepted at the hearing. Written letters of testimony are also accepted. Please send them at least 24 hours in advance of the meeting, or they may not make it into the public record. Send to:

Jonathan K. Ho
Acting Inspection & Compliance Section Chief
Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch
1849 Auiki Street
Honolulu, Hawaii 96819
FAX: (808) 832-0584
Email: jonathan.k.ho@hawaii.gov

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