Active response updates

• Little Fire Ant (LFA): 
  • Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month - October, 2017 was proclaimed Spot the Ant, Stop the Ant Month in Hawaii, by Governor David Y. Ige.
    • Social Media Outreach on Facebook (10/1-10/15)
      • Shares have greatly expanded reach and engagement. 
      • OISC paid to boost post of 10/13/2017 Gov. Ige's Proclamation post until the end of the month. 
      • BIISC 10/06/2014 post for ALL HAWAII RESIDENTS have best reach (2.9K)
      • BIISC 10/13/2017 post has the greatest engagement (247)
  • The Hawai’i Ant Lab offered two trainings for Restricted Use Pesticide credit. One for landscape maintenance managers on the west side of the Big Island and one for pest control operators. These trainings were coordinated by the Hawai’i Unites Against Invasive (HUI). An additional training for credit will be offered at the Hawai’i Island Landscape Association (HILA) conference in November.

• Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB):
  • On Oahu, the CRB Response continues its efforts to mitigate and prevent the spread of the population, but what about the other islands? CRB has not been detected on any other Hawaiian island besides Oahu. To insure airports in Hawaii are primed for the early detection of CRB, the CRB Response trained members of the Big Island, Maui, Molokai and Kauai Invasive Species Committees (ISC’s) in September 2017 as part of the HDOT-funded Mamalu Poepoe program. The training provided technical and hands-on experience including how to deploy, service, and maintain traps; survey trees for damage; and inspect potential breeding sites. Additional traps deployed by the CRB Response at six airports in the state of Hawaii will be serviced and maintained by the various ISC’s. Training was also provided to airport workers including maintenance crews, landscaping companies and USDA personnel. These collaborative efforts will instill confidence in the ability to detect CRB so that there will be no need to put this training to use on any other island.

• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD):
  • 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
  • Research Update: 
    • As of September 2017, there has been a confirmed ROD outbreak in North Kohala. First seen by air and then confirmed by further testing. As of now the size of the potential outbreak is around 300 acres with over 50 trees testing positive for the Ceratocystis pathogen. Scientist and staff are currently examining how it got established in the area. 
    • Diseases similar to ROD have found no cure and with that knowledge we believe that there is no cure for ROD; however, we can proactively manage our forests in ways that will prevent the extinction of our beloved `ōhi`a. Although there is no cure, the disease is showing variable impact to the forest, we see healthy trees in devastated areas which can be possible signs of resistance, and the disease seems to come out in episodes so that doesn’t mean that the disease will continue spreading at same rate it has in the past. Actions that people can take is to plant `ōhi`a and other native species that serves the same function as `ōhi`a, and look into artificial regeneration of `ōhi`a. 
  • Survey Update:
    • ROD is still confined to Hawai`i Island and found nowhere else in the State. 
  • The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Strategic Response Plan is available at www.rapidohiadeath.org

• Division of Aquatic Resources (DAR)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
• Division Of Forestry And Wildlife (DOFAW)
  • The Lehua Island Ecosystem Restoration Project completed the operational phase of its rodent eradication effort in August and September 2017, under a partnership that includes Island Conservation, DLNR, US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Tropical Botanical Garden, the Robinson Family, and residents of the island of Niihau. The operational application of rodenticide to the island went very smoothly, with favorable weather conditions throughout the operational period. Initial post-application monitoring has found no evidence of rats remaining, though the final verdict on whether the rats are eradicated won't be given until summer 2018 (at which point any remaining rats would have had sufficient time to reproduce to a detectable population size). 
• Kaho`olawe Island Reserve Commission (KIRC)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.

• Rapid Ohia Death (ROD)
  • ROD Reminder: Anyone on ROD-free islands (other than Hawai`i Island) 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.

• 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 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.
• The program has accomplished the following in the last 6 months:
  • In September 2017 the CRB Response Team provided training to 15 members of the Invasive Species Committees (ICS’s) from neighboring islands. Members of the Kauai, Molokai, Maui and Big Island Invasive Species Committees (KISC, Molokai, MISC and BIISC) were trained on CRB biology, damage, and monitoring procedures.

• The program coordinated CRB outreach presentations directed to airport personnel (maintenance crews) and tree trimming companies.

• A total of 43 CRB traps have been set up at airport facilities statewide.

• The HDOA Apiary Program provided training to all the ICS’s and set up a total of 50 swarm traps at all airport facilities. A total of 10 swarms have been caught during regular monitorings in September and October 2017. Samples are getting ready to be sent for mitochondrial analysis to test for africanization.

• The Hawaii Ant Lab (HAL) is completing ant baseline surveys at all airport facilities. Hilo airport is the only facility that detected the presence Little Fire Ant (LFA).
• Mosquito lure studies were initiated at Hilo airport. Lures that are currently being tested are carbon dioxide (CO2), BG lure and CO2 + BG lure. A first trial was completed in May 2017 and the program expects to conduct two more trials.

 

• College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources (CTAHR)
  • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
• Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU)
  • Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS)
    • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
  • Hawaii-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA)
    • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
  • Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)
    • October was a busy month for BIISC! The outreach team led 13 community events for Stop the Ant month, including a collaboration with the Hawaii Island Humane Society to educate pet owners about the importance of surveying and treating for fire ants to protect their pets. This month also corresponded with the first cohort of "graduates" from the LFA neighborhood program, with 4 neighborhood huis completing a full year of LFA treatment! All of the participants reported significant reductions in LFA populations, some with zero ant detections. One participant shared that she and her husband were about to sell their house and move to the mainland because of the fire ants, but now feel like they have reclaimed their lives.
    • Also in October, a new technique for treating strangler fig developed by BIISC's early detection team is showing great success. Six months after treatment of the figs, the ohia trees that had become unwitting hosts to the ficus are going strong and show no signs of impacts from the treatment. Caretakers of Kalopa State Park, where the tests took place, are eager to continue the control of the strangler fig, which has been slowly taking over the ohia canopy in the area. 
  • Kaua`i Invasive Species Committee (KISC)
    • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.
  • O`ahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) 
    • OISC has been working in the ‘Aiea and Hālawa Heights area targeting devil weed (Chromolaena odorata). In September and October, crews surveyed 84 acres and removed 38 mature and 1,132 immature plants. Devil weed was first detected in Kahuku in 2011. There are only four known locations on O‘ahu, with the most recently detected infestation in ‘Aiea in December 2015. Based on the size of mature plants that have been found and the extent of the infestation, the plants have likely been in the area for at least three years before they were found.
    • OISC surveys and monitors the infestation zone every six months to make sure any plants sprouting from the remaining seed bank aren’t allowed to mature and create even more seeds. The challenges with devil weed are: time, terrain, weather and access to areas. OISC greatly appreciates the help we receive from private citizens. Their support is crucial in accessing these some of these areas to remove plants. Approximately 1,300 private properties in ’Aiea and Hālawa Heights have received a notification in the mail to be on the look-out for devil weed. The plant does have some look-a-likes, so residents can send photos of suspect devil weed plants via email to oisc@hawaii.edu or text to 808-286-4616. If confirmed to be devil weed, OISC will come out to remove and dispose of the plant/s properly.  To learn more about devil weed and other OISC targets, visit: http://www.oahuisc.org/devil-weed/ 
    • For more information about OISC targets, visit: www.oahuisc.org.
    • OISC’s Outreach & Education Program is gearing up for the 2017-2018 school year and are scheduling school visits for invasive species presentations and the Ho‘ike little fire ant survey and mapping activity. O‘ahu teachers can schedule presentations by contacting OISC at 808-266-7994 or email oisc@hawaii.edu. 
  • Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
    • MISC coqui crew continue to work on coqui in the Haiku area, now with periodic assistance from the Na Ala Hele crews from the Department of Land and Natural Resources – Division of Forestry and Wildlife.  State crews have been helping with chainsaw work and chipping in and around Maliko Gulch. MISC staff are exploring options for cost efficient and effective coqui barriers.  We continue to expand our sprayer loan and citric distribution program, empowering the community to control coqui on their own property
    • Little fire ant work continues with crews responding to every report of suspect ants – accuracy and thoroughness of surveys has increased thanks to the use of real-time GPS enabled tablets. Having staff dedicated to LFA control has strengthened relationships with the residents of infested properties.
    • The miconia control crew hosted two interns from Hana for the summer who were focused on miconia control in the Keanae area. The Makawao-based plant crew focused on removing pampas grass from the Polipoli area and took advantage of good weather to do extensive aerial surveys for pampas on East and West Maui.
    • Early detection specialists Forest & Kim Starr have spent most to their effort monitoring traps at the airport for Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, Africanized honeybee, and mosquitos as part of the Mamalu Poepoe project.
    • MISC outreach staff set up a manned display at the 4-day Maui County Fair and hosted a 2-day teacher development workshop highlighting lessons from the Hoike o Haleakala Curriculum. For Spot the Ant Month we put little fire ant test kits in all the libraries in Maui County and visited four classes with the little fire ant lesson. Radio PSAʻs encouraged people to test their homes.
  • Molokai-Maui Invasive Species Committee (MoMISC)
    • No update at this time, visit the link above for general information.

• The HISC Brownbag series continues! We had two fantastic presentations since the last newsletter. On September 21 we heard from Rachel Neville, the Manager of the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC). She gave a summary presentation on the 2017 Island Invasives Conference. The October 26th presentation was given by Brooke Mahnken, Little Fire Ant Coordinator for the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). His talk provided an update on the current state of Little Fire Ants on Maui. 
• The HISC's  Facebook page now has over 687 likes. Like HISC on Facebook to receive updates from HISC news, posts from our website, and invasives-related posts from our constituent agencies and partners.
• Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC)

Upcoming events

• HISC Brownbag - The next presentation is scheduled for November 30th from 12pm-1pm in the Kalanimoku Building, Room 325 conference room. Jolene Sutton, Assistant Professor at University of Hawaiʻi Hilo will be speaking about her work on mosquitos that impact human health and native forest birds. 
• Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) award nomination forms may be found at the links below:
  • 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: https://goo.gl/forms/I07b8kfB3Q2SVr4H3
  • Community Hero
    Recognizes a community member or community-based group that has been a shining example of dedication to the prevention and/or management of invasive species: https://goo.gl/forms/7CvBQEEgBkXWS3Wb2
  • Greatest Hit
    Recognizes the individual, organization, or agency responsible for one of the major invasive species highlights of 2015 in the areas of research, prevention, control, and/or public outreach: https://goo.gl/forms/DwVAghsuPf6nTmYz1
  • In addition, HISC Support will need:
    • Island MVP selection from each ISC 
      • Here is the link for the MVP form: https://goo.gl/forms/94hwes4eEZVhfDet2
    • Hottest Pest Report from HDOA.
  • All nominations need to be received by December 4th, 2017.