invasive species

The Kauaʻi-based National Tropical Botanical Garden's prized loulu palms are being closely monitored as the beetles were discovered on Kauaʻi last year. The Conversation talked to various employees about the race to protect the palms.

The Hawaiʻi Ant Lab reported 19 new LFA sites on Oʻahu this year and eight new sites each on Maui and Kauaʻi. The invasive ant is already considered widespread on Hawaiʻi Island. Six of the newly infected sites on Kauaʻi are plant nurseries.

The state Department of Agriculture is holding an educational event this weekend on invasive and illegal species, with the hope that more people learn more about its Amnesty Program.

Local agencies are asking the public not to dump their aquarium coral, fish and other aquatic species into the ocean, streams or other water sources — an all too easy way to introduce harmful invasive species to Hawaiʻi.

On Tuesday, the board voted to approve a set of administrative rules that would, in part, designate quarantine areas infested with invasive pests. Now, the rules will go to the state’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board for comment, and then have to be approved by the governor.

The ability of invasive seaweed to adapt to ocean changes could be one reason why they outcompete native species, according to a new study by University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers.

The department’s Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals just approved a rule to stop the movement of all potential CRB breeding material from Oʻahu to other islands.

Dozens of palm trees along Oʻahu’s shoreline have been cut down to prevent further damage caused by invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles. A city spokesperson said the situation will get worse before it gets better. As HPR's Mark Ladao learned, an infestation of one or a handful of trees results in an issue for an entire neighborhood.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources said the infestation is in a remote location in East Oʻahu with steep slopes inaccessible by foot, so crews plan to use drones to apply a non-toxic citric food additive mixed with water. The state learned about the infestation from a member of the public who submitted a pest report.

You may have heard of ongoing mosquito birth control efforts on Maui to protect native forest birds from avian malaria, but what about rat birth control? The Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project is testing a new product.