Hawaii Invasive Species Council - Support Program

08/27/2024

🚨 Another Opossum Sighting in Hawaiʻi ?!? 🚨
Last week, the second live opossum in a month was found on Oʻahu in a shipping container!

This isn't the first time opossums have been spotted here. The first recorded sighting was in 2011, and there have been 7 opossums captured in Hawaiʻi since 2005—all during the summer months. As omnivores and potential carriers of parasites and rabies, these opossums pose a risk to Hawaiʻi. 🌺

Mahalo to our vigilant community members who report what they see! 👀

If you spot an opossum or any other invasive species, please call 643-PEST or report it online at 643pest.org. Let's work together to protect our islands! 🌱

An opossum discovered Tuesday in a shipping container was the second live opossum in a month found in Hawaii, raising the concerns about the growing threat of invasive species in our islands.

08/26/2024

🌿Next Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council Meeting - August 28, 1 pm 🌿
HISC meetings are open to the public. Participate in person or watch the live stream on YouTube. Get all the details on the agenda, how to join, and how to submit testimony here:

The Hawai’i Invasive Species Council (HISC) cordially invites all members and interested parties to attend its upcoming council meeting. The meeting will be held on December 19, 2023, at 1:00 PM at the Conference Room 16; Hawaiʻi State Capitol 415 S Beretania St., Honolulu, HI 96813. Virtual atte...

06/03/2024

🌿 2024 UH Turf and Landscape Pest Management Zoominar Series 🌿

Enhance your pest management skills and earn Pesticide CEUs! Join the UH Mānoa experts every Wednesday from 3:00 to 4:00 PM:

Schedule:
May 22: Landscape pests: coconut rhinoceros beetle, lobate lac scale, hala scale.
🗣️ Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa
🔗 Register by May 20

May 29: Turfgrass pests: frit fly, oriental flower beetle, take-all patch.
🗣️ Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa
🔗 Register by May 27

June 5: Non-chemical turf renovation and w**d control.
🗣️ Dr. Joseph DeFrank, UH Manoa (Emeritus)
🔗 Register by June 3

June 12: Pesticide labels.
🗣️ Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, UH Manoa
🔗 Register by June 10

CEUs Available:
1.0 HDOA RUP
1.0 LICT
0.10 GCSAA points
1.0 ISA (May 22 & June 12)

Free sessions organized by UH Manoa and CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service.

05/14/2024

🌿🏆 Celebrating the 2024 HISAM Awardees! 🏆🌿

We are thrilled to honor these incredible individuals and organizations for their dedicated efforts to combat invasive species. Meeting these community heroes at Governor Green's HISAM proclamation signing and the awards ceremony was truly inspiring!

Outstanding Business Leader: Keoki’s Paradise, Darin Tann
For their commitment to educating employees and removing invasive species on their days off, along with generous support for community events.

Community Heroes: Joe Wat & Kapua Kawelo
For leading proactive Little Fire Ant treatment initiatives and inspiring community involvement through their dedication and passion.

Greatest Hit: Melody Euaparadorn
For coordinating statewide Little Fire Ant efforts and tirelessly working to survey and treat affected properties.

Hawaiʻi Island MVP: Deborah Chang
For advocating against the sale of invasive quaking grass seeds and inspiring consumer action to stop the spread of invasive plants.

Maui Nui MVP: David Dahlberg
For promptly reporting the discovery of coconut rhinoceros beetle larvae on Maui, preventing their spread and increasing community awareness.

Oʻahu MVP: Kimeona Kane
For his leadership in addressing Little Fire Ant threats and advocating for measures to protect the community.

Kauaʻi MVP: Lei Wann
For supporting ʻŌhiʻa Love Fest and using the garden to educate visitors about invasive species threats.

Read more about these amazing awardees and their contributions: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/news/hisam-2024-awards/

Mahalo to all the awardees for their unwavering commitment and aloha ʻāina spirit! 🌺

05/13/2024

It is week 3 of Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month! Join us for an informative talk or in-person event. Full schedule & webinar registration: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisam2024/

📅 Thursday, May 16th, 9:00 AM
"Having a Seat at the Table: Hawai'i as Part of the National Conversation" with Christy Martin and Dr. Laura Brewington. Learn how Hawai'i's efforts are influencing national policies and conversations on invasive species.

📅 Friday, May 17th, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
"All the Ants of Hawaiʻi" - Have you ever been curious about the secret world of ants? Join Monte from MISC to learn about the 60+ species of ants in Hawai'i and how to identify them.

📅 Monday, May 20th, 5:00 - 6:00 PM
"Sting Operation: Oahu’s Fight Against Little Fire Ants" - Get the latest on Oʻahu LFA detections, mitigation efforts, and community initiatives. There has been a lot going on the past year- join us to get caught up!

📅 Tuesday, May 21st, 1:00 - 2:00 PM
"When Giving Up Isn’t an Option: The Efforts to Stop Little Fire Ants on Maui" - Hear the inspiring story of Maui's successful fight against Little Fire Ants- the only landscape level eradication in the state!

For the full schedule and to access webinars, visit the HISAM 2024 page. Webinars will also be available on the HISC YouTube page HISAM 2024 Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLevs-pqIGE6ESZNEKIyeyoyr0E9HnbsPb&si=hHcNLShnHi9YHobZ

05/01/2024

🌿 May is Hawai'i Invasive Species Awareness Month! 🌿
We're excited to kick off a month full of engaging webinars, special events, and a deep dive into vital invasive species work being done across the islands.

What’s Happening This Month:
- Educational Webinars: Explore a broad range of topics on invasive species. Visit the HISAM24 page to see the full lineup.
- Volunteer Opportunities & Community Events: Participate in local efforts to combat invasive species.
- HISAM Awards & Governor Green’s Proclamation: Mark your calendars for May 10th as we honor outstanding contributions in the fight against invasive species.

👉 Swipe through our upcoming webinar highlights and mark your favorite events! 👉 Follow us for regular updates — additional events and webinars announced weekly. 👉 Share this post and invite friends and family to join us in learning about invasive species in Hawaiʻi protecting our 'āina.

🔗 Register for Events and Learn More Here: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisam2024/

04/24/2024

⚠️This past week 3 adult CRB were found in the Waikaloa area of Big Island. These are the first adult CRB found on the island.

There are likely more CRB out there- we need everyone's help in finding where they are breeding so we can stop the spread!

🌴 Inspect palms for CRB damage
🔎 Search high-risk materials like compost and green waste for larvae
📷 Take photos of feeding damage or beetles. For larvae, take a brief video of it moving on a flat surface.
👉 Report to 643pest.org or 643-PEST, to BIISC ([email protected])
More info on CRB in Hawaiʻi @ crbhawaii.org

Three live adult coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) were found in traps in the Waikoloa area on Hawai‘i Island, marking the first adult detections since six larvae were discovered in October 2023.

On all islands except Oahu, please report any signs of CRB to 643pest.org, call 808-643-PEST (7378) or on our website crbhawaii.org

For more information go to this article from HDOA:
https://hdoa.hawaii.gov/blog/main/nr24-13crb-waikoloa/

04/17/2024

Navigating the Legislative Jungle: Stories of Success and Setbacks in Environmental Advocacy in Hawai'i" with Franny Kinslow Brewer, Manager, Big Island Invasive Species Committee on Friday, April 26 at 2 PM.

University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo Tropical Conservation Biology and Environmental Science Graduate Program Natural Resource Management Seminar Series and Department of Political Science presents, "Navigating the Legislative Jungle: Stories of Success and Setbacks in Environmental Advocacy in Hawai'i" with Franny Kinslow Brewer, Manager, Big Island Invasive Species Committee on Friday, April 26 at 2 PM. The seminar will be held in-person in Wentworth 1 and streamed online via Zoom. All are welcome!

https://hawaii.zoom.us/j/91645622125
Meeting ID: 916 4562 2125
Passcode: TCBES

Abstract: Legislative session in Hawai'i is a short, intense season, with lots of behind-the-scenes workings, political influences, and unexpected developments that can make getting involved in the process daunting. In this talk, BIISC program manager Franny Kinslow Brewer will share stories from the trenches, reviewing the surprising ways that legislation can fail or succeed and the challenges that still remain even after the bill becomes Law. Follow along as she traces the journey of the many invasive species bills introduced in the 2024 Session, sharing some of the wider context and the eventual fates. She will also share the nuts and bolts of how a program with limited resources like BIISC works to support advocacy for environmental legislation, and give you some tips for adding a little environmental advocacy into a busy life.

04/17/2024

🚨 Python Found in Waipahu 🚨

A live ball python, an illegal and potentially dangerous non-native species, was discovered in a local home. Pythons pose significant threats to Hawai'i's delicate ecosystems as they have no natural predators and can prey on native wildlife.

🌿 Stopping the spread of invasive species begins with you! If you see or suspect any invasive species, please report it immediately via our hotline at 643pest.org. Your vigilance helps protect our islands' biodiversity and supports our community's safety and environmental health.

📞 Remember, early detection is key to preventing these animals from establishing and causing harm. Together, we can keep Hawai'i safe and healthy.

🛑 The Hawai'i Department of Agriculture offers an amnesty program, allowing individuals to turn in any illegal animals without facing penalties. This program helps prevent the release of harmful species into the wild.



Read more: https://www.staradvertiser.com/2024/04/16/breaking-news/police-find-live-ball-python-in-deceased-mans-waipahu-home/

Honolulu police over the weekend found an unattended death at a Waipahu home — and a live snake.

04/08/2024

04/01/2024

No April Fools’ here! The deadline to apply for the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council’s Research and Projects Coordinator position is approaching fast.

Role Highlights:
- Lead research and projects aimed at enhancing biosecurity and tackling the management of invasive species. This includes coordinating the Port of Entry/Exit Pest Monitoring Program, which is an essential layer of protection at critical points of entry and exit within the state.
- Facilitate partnerships and communications between key stakeholders, aligning efforts across various agencies and organizations.
- Develop and implement monitoring and response strategies to safeguard our islands, working closely with HISC funded research projects to drive innovation and effectiveness in invasive species management.

Interested? Visit our website for details and application. https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/news/hiring-research-and-projects-coordinator/

Apply before the April 4, 2023 deadline.

Join Our Team and Make a Difference in Hawai‘i’s Biosecurity The Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) is an integral inter-departmental collaboration involving the Departments of Land & Natu…

04/01/2024

Merrie Monarch Season is Upon Us! 🌺
It's that time of the year again! If you're one of the fortunate ones attending, enjoy every moment of the Merrie Monarch Festival! And a gentle reminder: please protect our native forests by not transporting ʻōhiʻa off Hawaiʻi Island.

From the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture- HDOA is reminding travelers to the Merrie Monarch Festival this week about the quarantine on all parts of the 'ōhi'a plant. 'Ōhi'a may not be taken off of Hawai'i Island to help stop the spread of Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death, a fungal plant disease that is devastating to native forests.

For more information, view the news release on their website!