Aloha <<First Name>> <<Last Name>>
With a new administration in place, we are thrilled to introduce the newly appointed members of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. This group comprises department heads and legislative members who work together on invasive species issues and coordinate interagency efforts towards statewide biosecurity. Invasive species have a significant impact on local agriculture, ecological balance, and Hawaii's way of life, underscoring the importance of a collaborative approach to protect our ʻāina.
In this issue, we also highlight progress on the Hawaiʻi Interagency Biosecurity Plan, legislative updates on invasive species bills, news from the field, and a brownbag talk on Hawaiʻi Biopesticide Research and Regulations.
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HISC Support Team-
Chelsea Arnott (Invasive Species Coordinator), Jack Reef (HISC Planner), Leyla Kaufman (Research and Projects Coordinator), Elizabeth Speith (643pest.org), and Chuck Chimera (HPWRA)
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HISC Council Update: Meet the Newly Appointed Members
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We are delighted to welcome our new council members, including our new co-chairs, Sharon Hurd from the HDOA and Dawn Chang from the DLNR. The council provides direction to HISC support staff, oversees council directives, and administers HISC funding. We look forward to collaborating with our new council in the years to come.
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Dawn Chang, Chair, DLNR- Ms. Chang is currently in the process of being confirmed for this position. She served as the Deputy Attorney General for the Hawai’i Office of the Attorney General's Land/Transportation Division for 14 years and also acted as counsel for various State Boards and Commissions. Prior to that, she worked as a social worker and was the principal at Ku‘iwalu, a company that specializes in resolving culturally sensitive and contentious issues. Ms. Chang holds a law degree from the Richardson School of Law, a MA in Social Work from the University of Hawai‘i, and a BA in sociology from the same university. She is a member of the Hawai‘i State Bar Association and Native Hawaiian Bar Association.
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Sharon Hurd, Chair, HDOA- Before assuming her role as Chairperson of HDOA, Ms. Hurd worked as the Business Development Program Manager in the MDB, where she focused on identifying and administering federal grants to support Hawaii's farmers, ranchers, producers, and agricultural organizations. Ms. Hurd holds a BA in Zoology from the University of Hawaii and has over 27 years of experience in sales and marketing, primarily in the airline industry with Delta Air Lines and All Nippon Airlines.
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Kathleen Ho, Deputy Director of Environmental Health Administration, DOH- Ms. Ho has been the Deputy Attorney General of the Health Division at the Department of the Attorney General since 1992. She earned her J.D. from the University of California Hastings College of Law in San Francisco.
- Scott Glenn, Director of Office of Planning and Sustainable Development, DBEDT- Before his nomination as director of DBEDT, Mr. Glenn held several significant positions within the state government. He served as Hawaii's first chief energy officer and as director of the Office of Environmental Quality Control, where he played a crucial role in modernizing the state's environmental review process. Mr. Glenn is currently the nominee for this position and is in the process of being confirmed.
- Ed Sniffen, Director of DOT- DOT manages a vast system of approximately 2,500 lane miles of state highways across the islands. Mr. Sniffen has held several important positions within the DOT, including Deputy Director, DOT Highways Division administrator, and technical design engineer in the Highways Division Design Branch. He is a civil engineer and holds a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Santa Clara University.
- Anna Wieczorek, Interim Dean and Director of UH-College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources- Dr. Wieczorek's work and research focus is on molecular biology technology and its application on agricultural problems, such as invasive species management and risk assessment for genetically modified crops, environmental conservation, population genetics, and evolutionary biology
Legislative Members
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HIBP 2023 Progress Report
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The Interagency Biosecurity Plan is the state's guiding document for biosecurity improvements over the coming decade. The HISC is responsible for tracking the implementation of the Plan across agencies and will report progress at least annually. As of January 2023, implementation of 68% of the 147 actions identified in the Plan has begun. Although a lot has been accomplished over the last 5 years, there is still much work that needs to be done. Full January 2023 Progress Report
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Legislative Update: Invasive Species Bills Being Monitored
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We are monitoring over 60 bills this legislative session, and you can follow along with our weekly updates on the INVASIVE SPECIES BILL TRACKING web page. Here are three bills that we would like to highlight:
HB 1149 [HD2] (Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response)
This Act provides funding to support the ongoing efforts of existing coconut rhinoceros beetle response positions and activities aimed at minimizing the risk of the beetle's spread. HB1149 has passed all committees and is currently awaiting minor reconciliation.
SB 1552 and HB 1150 (Little Fire Ant)
The House and Senate have both considered a bill to allocate funds to the Hawai'i Ant Lab for addressing the Little Fire Ant issue. SB 1552 has been approved by the FIN committee, but reconciliation between the House and Senate versions is required in Conference Committee.
SB 652- (Two-Lined Spittlebug)
This Act provides funding to the Department of Agriculture for mitigating and controlling infestations and conducting recovery efforts on lands damaged by the two-lined spittlebug. SB 652 has been approved by the FIN committee, but reconciliation between the amended versions from the House and Senate is required.
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In the Field
Talking Biosecurity Plans and Looking for Ramie Moth
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In late January, HISC staff visited Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park to review its biosecurity protocol, which aims to prevent the introduction of little fire ants and other harmful pests into the park. During the visit, staff surveyed for Ramie Moth, an invasive caterpillar that feeds on native māmaki plants and can cause significant damage. This new pest is of particular concern because it could potentially devastate both cultivated and wild māmaki populations. Staff met with PhD candidate Michelle Au at Hawaiʻi Forest Farms to survey for the moth and assess damage. HISC funds are supporting research into the biology and distribution of this new pest, which could have a devastating impact on cultivated and wild māmaki.
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HISC Brownbag Talk:
Hawaiʻi Biopesticide Research and Regulations
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Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng (UH-CTAHR) and Esther Riechert (HDOA) gave an informative lunchtime talk about biopesticides in Hawai'i. Dr. Cheng shared the challenges and successes of developing and testing biocontrol agents, such as those used for controlling coconut rhinoceros beetle, as well as the potential benefits of using these agents as alternatives to traditional chemical pesticides and make more tools for the IPM toolbox. Esther Riechert talked us through the evaluation process for biopesticides and how the HDOA ensures that they are used responsibly and in accordance with state and federal regulations.
If you want to learn more, follow the link at the top of this page or click on the image below to watch the presentation on YouTube.
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Dates to Remember and Job Opportunities
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Events
- April- Native Hawaiian Plant Month
- April 11, 6 pm: "Hawai'i Native Plants: Once you grow native, you won't go back" Webinar Link / FB Event
- ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Day- April 25th
- April- Invasive Plant Pest and Disease Awareness Month
- 2023 Hawai'i Legislative Session
- 8/08 Hawaiʻi Forest Bird Day
Job Opportunities
- HDOA Plant Quarantine Inspector I, Oʻahu (Continuous) Civil Service job posting
- HDOA Plant Quarantine Inspector I, Kona, Hawaiʻi Island (Continuous) Civil Service job posting
- HDOA Plant Quarantine Inspector I, Maui (Continuous) Civil Service job posting
- HDOA Plant Quarantine Inspector I, Oʻahu (Continuous) Civil Service job posting
- HDOA Plant Quarantine Manager, Oʻahu (Continuous) Civil Service job posting
- Many more HDOA job opportunities at HDOA Careers
- DLNR Job Opportunities
- KISC Pest Response Technician, Kauaʻi - (Closes April 21) RCUH job posting #222806
- KISC Invasive Species Field Crew Leader, Kauaʻi - (Closes April 17) RCUH job posting #222809
- Maui Plant Extinction Prevention Program Technician - (Closes April 18) RCUH job posting #223180
- Rapid Ohia Death Survey Lab Technician, Hawaiʻi Island - (Closes April 25) RCUH job posting # 223181
- Aquatics Invasive Species Hatchery Technician, Oʻahu - (Closes April 12) RCUH job posting # 223205
- CRB Survey Data Technician, Oʻahu - (Closes April 20) RCUH job posting #223210
- PCSU/PMRF Field Biologist, Oʻahu - (Closes April 25) RCUH job posting #223232
- NARS Field Project Technician, Hawaiʻi Island - (Closes April 25) RCUH job posting #223215
- East Hawai‘i Wildlife management Areas Field Project Assistant #223183 and Project Technician #223184, Hawai'i Island - (Closes April 12) RCUH job posting
- Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP) Watershed Protection Assistant I, O'ahu - (Closes April 19) RCUH job posting #223216
- Koʻolau Mountains Watershed Partnership (KMWP) Field Project Technician, O'ahu - (Closes April 12) RCUH job posting #223148
- Urban Forestry Program Coordinator, O'ahu - (Closes April 25) RCUH job posting #223231
- Mauna Kahalawai Watershed Partnership (MKWP) Program Associate, Maui - (Closes April 28) RCUH job posting #223144
- East Maui Watershed Partnership (EMWP) Field Crew Supervisor, Maui - (Closes April 28) RCUH job posting #222847
- ANRPO Animal Program Coordinator, Oʻahu - (Closes April 14) RCUH job posting #223172
- ANRPO Vegetation Management Program Coordinator, Oʻahu - (Closes April 14) RCUH job posting #223173
- ANRPO Vegetation Management Program Coordinator, Oʻahu - (Closes April 14) RCUH job posting #223173
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