Pa'auilo Mauka Kalōpā Community Association
Invasive Species Committee
Why care about invasive species in Hawai'i?
For thousands of years, our Hawaiian islands, the most isolated island chain in the world, were protected by their isolation from most foreign species of plants and animals. The flora and fauna of Hawai'i evolved in unique ways, often with an inherent expectation that the environments and species on the islands would not change - or at least, not rapidly. All that changed with the arrival of humans. The first settlers, Polynesians, arrived in their ocean-going canoes, bringing with them the plants and animals they would need to establish themselves in a new environment. The early Hawaiians brought changes, threatening ground-nesting birds and introducing new species to the island environment. The changes the original settlers brought, however, while destructive, were negligible in comparison to the disruption caused by the European arrivals, bringing disease to the native Hawaiians and devastation to the Hawaiian ecology. In our modern era, with easy and frequent modes of transportation bringing tourists in planes and goods on ships, the native species and local inhabitants have been undergoing a constant assault from invasive species of all types, from viruses and fungi, to disease-carrying insects, to predatory mammals. The last of our native birds are in danger of extinction from avian malaria, brought to the islands with the introduction of mosquitoes. The problem of invasive species is being addressed at all levels - from the Dept. of Agriculture overseeing ports of entry to non-profits educating the public, to community organizations reaching out to their residents. The effort to combat invasives is formidable and daunting, but what we have to lose - native species, safe and comfortable homes, family-supporting agriculture, and Hawaii's unique lifestyle - is far more precious. In 2019, PMKCA formed a committee to educate ourselves and our communities on the particular threats that we face in our section of the Hamakua Coast. Since then, with the unfortunate break caused by the pandemic, we have done our best to keep the concerns of invasive species in the minds and hearts of our residents.
What invasive species are of particular concern to mauka Pa'auilo and Kalōpā ?
There are many invasive species in Hawai'i, and more are arriving every year. Some are considered highly damaging with serious impacts to important aspects of Hawaiian life and well being. Some are localized or limited in range and don't appear in our communities. Others haven't arrived in our area yet, but are expected and we are monitoring for them. Others are present in our homes, gardens, pastures or forests. State and county agencies and non-profits are actively engaged in controlling them. And there are a few (coqui frogs?) that we have just learned to live or cope with.
Here are the current FIVE invasive species that PMKCA's Invasive Species committee
is paying the most attention to:
Avocado Lace Bug
Insect
Impacts:
Agriculture
Actions:
Educate, Monitor, Advise
Presence:
Common
Risk:
Moderate
More information:
The Avocado Lace Bug was discovered on the island in 2020 and has become well established in avocado trees around the island. The insect in its stages is commonly found on our avocado trees now. The bug damages the leaves of the trees and interferes with the tree’s ability to photosynthesize the nutrients it needs to produce avocado fruits. The insects can be controlled by insecticidal sprays applied regularly, but when avocado trees are 30+ feet tall, that can be an impossibility for growers and residents. We follow the research and control methods and do our best to pass on any worthwhile information to residents.
Rat Lungworm (RLWD)
Parasite
Impacts:
Health
Actions:
Educate, Monitor, Advise
Presence:
Rare to Common
Risk:
High
More information:
The parasitic pathogen that causes Rat Lungworm Disease in humans and other animals has a strange lifecycle which begins in the bodies of rats and is transferred to slugs and other soft-bodied creatures before finding its way into our locally grown produce, potentially causing severe disease in us. While the disease is not widespread or frequent, it is a cause for concern as we grow our own food. The ISC follows the research into the pathogen and passes on any advances in prevention and treatment to our residents who would prefer to practice a self-sustaining lifestyle.
Twolined Spittlebug (TLSB)
Insect
Impacts:
Agriculture
Actions:
Educate, Monitor
Presence:
Not present but...
Risk:
High
More information:
While the TLSB has not appeared in our upcountry pastures, the risk that the bug poses to our ranching communities is staggering. The TLSB kills the rich pasture grasses on which cattle and other livestock depend, thereby threatening the local self-sustaining livestock industry and the families that have depended upon their pastures for income and the paniolo lifestyle. The ISC keeps up with research into methods of control and future options for nutritious, disease resistant grass species, while helping to educate our residents in monitoring and reporting any potential outbreaks in our area.
Rapid 'Ohi'a Death (ROD)
Fungus
Impacts:
Nature/environment
Actions:
Educate, Monitor, Advise
Presence:
Rare to Common
Risk:
High
More information:
ROD first appeared in our community around 2016 after having done great damage to forests in the Puna and Volcano districts. The fungal disease has the potential to kill our endemic O’hia trees which serve important functions in holding groundwater in our watersheds and are honored in our Hawaiian cultural history. The ISC advises residents and connects them to resources that can help maintain our forests; we keep up on the latest research in controlling this disease and developing resistant strains of O’hia trees which might restore our future forests.
Little Fire Ants (LFA)
Insect
Impacts:
Home/Lifestyle
Actions:
Educate. Monitor, Advise
Presence:
Rare but increasing
Risk:
High
More information:
Little Fire Ants have been a painful scourge in many Big Island communities, making life difficult for residents in their homes and gardens. While infestations are rare in our mauka communities, there is a high risk for them to be brought in on landscape materials and plants. The ISC connects residents to agencies that educate and advise on monitoring for LFA, and to services that can eradicate colonies in early stages of infestation.
Join the Invasive Species Committee!!
The committee's role is to EDUCATE our community about the pest or disease, to MONITOR for outbreaks, and to ADVISE residents on where they can seek help in combating an outbreak on their properties. We meet irregularly to share information about invasives in our mauka Pa'auilo and Kalōpā communities. Some members have become "specialists" in one invasive species and helps the committee understand the threat and options for control. We work together to plan informative articles and events and we coordinate with other agencies and non-profits that are actively working to control invasive species.
To find out more, contact Irwin Francus - ifrancus@hotmail.com.