Strategies
Prevention:
OISC works to identify high-risk pathways and conducts early detection surveys of these sites to ensure we find and eradicate high-threat, invasive target species while they are still in the initial stages of invasion. This approach reduces the amount of resources used by preventing the need for long-term management.
Control:
Some OISC targets, like fountain grass, are established in certain parts of the island and controlled in order to prevent further spread to more sensitive areas.
Eradication:
Small naturalized populations of alien pests may be eradicated. Eradication is the ultimate goal for the majority of OISC targets.
- Using the spotting scope to scan the steep Ko’olau summits for miconia.
- Early Detection surveys for Naio Thrips, currently only found on Big Island. These tiny sucking insects are only found in a limited area on Big Island and pose a threat to our native Naio Trees ( Myoporum sandwicense).
- OISC partners with Hawai’i Department of Agriculture in conducting regular little fire ant surveys of garden stores and nurseries on O’ahu.