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HISC News
Invasive species updates from the Hawaii Invasive Species Council & partners
Volume 4, Issue 1: January, 2020
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.

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)
    • The Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) has continued coordinating Little Fire Ant (LFA) eradication efforts with HDOA, ISCs, CGAPS, and other agencies on Kauai, Oahu, and Maui. Though it may seem disheartening that LFA are being detected, it shows an increased awareness of this invasive species. These detections have population sizes that indicate the ants have been there for some time. This reinforces the need to test your properties for LFA at least once per year, and to test any high risk items you are bringing onto a property. Vigilance is key.
    • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) are TINY! Only about 1/8" in length, but pack a sting like an ELECTRIC SHOCK! In Australia, LFA are called "Electric Ants" due to their shocking sting!
    • Additional outbreaks of Little Fire Ants have been detected on neighbor islands, some of which may be linked to the movement of personal items. As a reminder, Little Fire Ants are hitchhikers and can catch a ride on nearly anything. We can accidentally bring them with us when we travel or move to another island, so test all belongings and ensure you don’t bring this pest home with you!
    • 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):
    • For more information or pictures, please contact the CRB Response at 679-5244 or BeetleBustersHI@gmail.com
  • Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
  • ROD Outreach Workshop in Hilo on 2/20-21/2020 (Thursday & Friday)
    • The ROD outreach team will be hosting a 2-day ROD outreach workshop for individuals who do outreach across the state. We will be hosting this workshop in Hilo, HI on Thursday, 2/20/20 and Friday, 2/21/20. The workshop will include presentations. a field trip, meetings, and Q&A sessions.
    • We are inviting an outreach representative from your organization to attend our Hilo workshop. We have some funding available for 1 representative from each organization to attend if your organization needs help with airfare, room, and ground transportation. For room and board, we are trying to reserve the DOFAW volunteer house like we did last year; however, this house only sleeps 12 people ( I will send a follow up email once I confirm the use of DOFAW house). Also, room and board will only be provided for non-Hawaii Island attendees only. 
    • The purpose for this workshop is to equip all organizations with the knowledge they would need to host ROD outreach events on respective islands and be able to speak to communities/groups on ROD related issues on their islands. We look forward to hosting at least 1 representative from each organization at this workshop. 
    • Please contact Ambyr Mokiao-Lee (ambyr[at]hawaii.edu) for more information.
  • ROD Newsletter:  To view the current issue of the newsletter click the link as follows: http://mailchi.mp/e1ed2686c31b/rapid-hia-death-newsletter
    • To opt-in to receive future newsletters please click on link here: http://eepurl.com/cY7z0j
    •  

    • Sanitize for inter-island travel! 

      Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death disease (ROD) has been detected on Hawaiʻi Island, Kauaʻi, Maui and Oʻahu. If you or someone you know will be traveling inter-island, please take extra care to clean your shoes and gear before and after traveling between islands to prevent the spread of ROD. First brush the dirt off, then spray with 70% rubbing alcohol. If hiking, remember to stay off of ʻōhiʻa roots –walking on roots can break bark and expose the trees to ROD-causing fungi.

    • What is the latest recommendation for what to do with infected ʻōhiʻa wood?     Keep wood onsite. Don’t turn it into mulch as that creates more material to spread disease. If felling a tree, cut with a sharpened tool on a low-wind, drizzly day to keep infectious material from moving around. Make as few cuts as possible. Wood can be safely burned in an imu, barbecue, smokehouse, or fireplace. Otherwise, keep it covered with a tarp to keep boring ambrosia beetles from attacking or escaping from the wood.
  • 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
  • Recommended Actions to Prevent the Spread of ROD:
    • 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.
    • 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)
  • Photo: Nate Yuen
Program & Project Updates
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 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.
  • Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) 
    • Please visit the link above for general information.
  • Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
  • Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
    • Please visit the link above for general information.
    • Plants: The plant crew has been working on ivy gourd infestations in Waihee and doing aerial surveys of West Maui looking for pampas grass. Crews have also been working in East Maui looking for wildland pampas populations.

      Ants: Crew has been monitoring all LFA infestation sights, doing hot spot treatments for the infestation in Huelo and Kapalua, and implementing broad treatments in Kaeleku and Happy Valley. Another infestation was reported by residents near a popular hiking area at Twin Falls in Huelo, East Maui.  The most exciting development of the last few months has been that the LFA team completed building equipment that will enable MISC to address the large (100+ acre) infestation in Nahiku by helicopter.  See a video of one of the tests here: Nahiku LFA Aerial Treatment. To date, there have been three treatments.

      Frogs: After hot dry weather had kept frogs from calling for much of the summer, MISC has been responding to an influx of calls brought about by recent rains.  The crew has been working on infested areas in Kauhikoa, Kaluanui, Jaws, Lanikai, and Kuiaha Gulch. To support neighborhood community control crew worked in Haiku Hill and. Through the Community Engagement Program, 4 neighborhoods in Haiku have taken control of coqui infestations in their neighborhoods. MISC provides pre-mixed citric, training as assistance, equipment, and signage to empower each neighborhood.

      ROD: After the July detection and elimination of a single C. huliohia infested ohia on East Maui, MISC has been partnering with DLNR on three community meetings to promote greater awareness throughout Maui. In July, MISC worked with Maui Nui Botanical Gardens and Skyline Conservation Initiative on a project introducing a summer youth camp to ohia trees and collecting and processing seed.

      General PR: MISC is continuing to do the Maui Mauka Conservation Awareness Training for tour guides alongside East Maui Watershed Partnership and Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project. 
  • 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.
    • Miconia (Miconia calvescens) 
      • If you suspect miconia, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
    • Devil Weed (Chromolaena odorata) 
      • If you suspect devil weed, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
    • Little Fire Ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) 
      • For details on how to collect and submit ant for ID, visit: http://stoptheant.org/report-little-fire-ants/ (LFA)
        • Oʻahu has nine (9) locations in Halawa, Kāneʻohe, ʻĀhuimanu, Lanikai, Kualoa, Makiki Heights, Pauoa, and Lāʻie currently being treated for LFA. OISC and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture are accepting ant samples for identification. Finding LFA early is essential for effective eradication. Collecting and submitting ants is quick and easy. OISC and Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture are accepting ant samples for identification. Visit www.stoptheant.org for more information.
    • Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death (ROD) 
      • If you see ‘ōhiʻa that is dead or dying with brown leaves still attached, report to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
    • Naio Thrips (Klambothrips myopori) 
      • OISC is still conducting early detection surveys and removing both infested naio plants as well as landscaped naio that is not yet infested. Have a naio plant in your yard? OISC will replace it with an alternative native plant if you remove your naio BEFORE it gets infested. Our goal is to protect wild naio populations by removing landscaped naio so the thrips do not have harbors that allow them to move around the island. These wild naio plants provide important habitat for native seabirds, forest birds, bees, and other fauna. Report naio plants to OISC along with photos if possible. E: oisc@hawaii.edu P: 808-266-7994.
    • Upcoming Outreach: 
      • Type of activity: Invasive plant forest surveys 
        Title:  OISC Lyon Arboretum Volunteer Trip
        Date/Time:  February 8th/ 9am-2pm
        Island:  Oahu
        Location:  Lyon Arboretum, Manoa
        Website:   https://www.oahuisc.org/oisc-volunteer-trip-lyon/
        Any additional info:  RSVP Requirements
      • Type of activity: Invasive plant trail surveys 
        Title:  OISC Pūpūkea-Paumalu Volunteer Trip  
        Date/Time:  February 29th/ 9am-2pm
        Island:  Oahu
        Location:  Pūpūkea-Paumalu State Park Reserve 
        Website:  https://www.oahuisc.org/pupukea-paumalu-volunteer-trip/
        Any additional info:  RSVP Requirements
HISC Support
  • Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)
    • Please visit the link above for general information.
    • 2020-2025 Strategic Plan
  • Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA) program
    • New Assessments 
      • All new and previously completed assessments can be accessed at the redesigned Plant Pono website: (https://plantpono.org/)
  • The HISC Facebook page now has over 960 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.org643-PEST app, or the 643-PEST (7378) telephone hotline.
  • Update for Nov-Dec 2019
    • 643PEST.org online pest reporting received and answered 73 pest reports during the Nov-Dec 2019 period.  Pest report facilitators were able to confirm the identification of the species reported and/or pass the report to a partner agency or group for  67 of those reports. 53 of the resolved reports were for widespread invasive species and 14 reports were forwarded to state agencies and invasive species management groups for further action. 

      The top species reported by island are:
      - Hawaiʻi Island: coqui (2) and little fire ant (3)
      - Maui: mongoose (5) and feral cats (2)
      - Molokaʻi and Lanaʻi: 0
      - Oʻahu: oriental flower beetle (3), and coqui (3)
      - Kauaʻi: Koster’s curse (1), greenhouse frog (1), yellow crazy ant (1)




  • The HISC Brown Bag series continues! Check the link in the Upcoming Events section below for the next presentation dates & topics.

Upcoming events

Visit the HISC Website
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 Your HISC Support Team

Joshua Atwood, Ph.D., HISC Program Supervisor: Joshua.P.Atwood[@]hawaii.gov
Chelsea Arnott, M.S., HISC Planner: chelsea.l.arnott.researcher[@]hawaii.edu
Randy Bartlett, HISC Interagency Coordinator: randal.t.bartlett[@]hawaii.gov
Leyla Kaufman, Ph.D., Mamalu Poepoe Coordinator: leyla[@]hawaii.edu
Elizabeth Speith, 643pest.org Report Facilitator: speith[@]hawaii.edu

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Hawaii Invasive Species Council · 1151 Punchbowl Street, Room 325 · Honolulu, HI 96813 · USA

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