MISC — Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

Fountain grass threatens dryland ecosystems

Posted on April 1, 2020 by MISC

Jared Clapper with Hāna Lima Land Management, working on behalf of Haleakalā Ranch, was part of a team responding to an infestation of invasive fountain grass in proximity to Pu‘uokali above Kīhei. Fountain grass has a reputation for fueling a cycle of brush fires and is one of the greatest threats to the remaining dryland forest ecosystems.

On the leeward slope of Haleakalā above Kīhei rises a red dirt cinder cone named Puʻuokali. Puʻuokali means “the hill of waiting,” and is said to be one of several mo‘o (lizard deities) who were transformed into cinder cones on the summit. From her prominent vantage, Puʻuokali watches over her daughter, Puʻuoinaina on the island of Kahoʻolawe. As visible as Puʻuokali is to Maui residents, she also has her secrets. Inside the cinder cone is an intact dryland forest – a representation of the most diverse and most threatened ecosystem in Hawaiʻi. This native oasis was forgotten about until the early 1980’s when a brush fire broke out nearby and biologists rediscovered the forest.

Dr. Art Medeiros, program manager for the Auwahi Forest Restoration Project, was one of those biologists. “Puʻuokali is amazing. It’s almost the only place from Makawao to Kaupō that looks like it did when Hawaiians were the only people here.” Wiliwili, lama, naio, koaiʻa, and ʻohe are the dominant trees of this forest – these plants were essential for early Polynesians but are virtually unknown today. Dryland Hawaiian forests are the most diverse of Hawaiian forests, yet they are virtually lost: an estimated 90 to 95% of dryland forest is gone. What remains is critical: 25% of endangered Hawaiian plant species are found in these tiny refugia.

In July of 2018, Byron Stevens of the Hawaiʻi Natural Area Reserves System passed over Puʻuokali in a helicopter and saw something that didn’t belong: a two- to four-foot-tall bunchgrass with wiry leaves and purple bottle-brush flowers. Fountain grass. He sounded the alarm to multiple conservation organizations.

Fountain grass starting to invade the sacred grounds of Puʻuokali on Maui. This area is one of the few remaining places that show how Hawaiʻi looked prior to western contact.

Fountain grass is an invasive weed rarely found on Maui. Native to North Africa, it’s targeted for eradication by the Maui Invasive Species Committee. The drought-tolerant grass is able to survive in some of Hawaiʻi’s driest areas; it poses a serious threat to native dryland forest. While rare on Maui, the alien grass now covers much of the leeward coast of Hawaiʻi Island. Introduced as an ornamental in the early 1900s, fountain grass has completely transformed the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island, turning what was once bare lava with patches of native forest into fields of grass.

“Introduced as an ornamental in the early 1900s, fountain grass has completely transformed the Kona side of Hawaiʻi Island, turning what was once bare lava with patches of native forest into fields of grass.”

Dominating arid, bare lava is one thing, but this wiry bunchgrass can also advance into intact forest, in part because it survives brushfires. Fountain grass is fire-adapted; it can regrow after flames pass over then quickly flowers and set seeds to recolonize the area. In contrast, Hawaiian forests are not adapted to fires—native plants generally donʻt survive. Fountain grass is notorious for fueling and increasing fire. At one site on Hawaiʻi Island, fountain grass (ignited by humans) has increased fire frequency from once every 500-1,000 years to once every 6-8 years.

“Fountain grass is a direct threat to the Maui County sanctuary forests such as Puʻuokali, says Medeiros. Though surrounding areas have burned, Puʻuokali has not had any wildfire, hence why so much remains. This hidden forest survived over the years partly because the surrounding landscape was so barren. There was no fuel for brushfires, and less incentive for goats and deer to cross the cinder to reach the crater. “The last refuges [of dryland forest] are in these rocky areas,” Medeiros explains. The intrusion of fountain grass changes that.

Fountain grass is almost never found on Maui, but is extremely widespread on the leeward side of Hawaii island, where it has transformed the landscape and continues to spread. Any sightings of this invasive bunchgrass should be reported — identified by its purple bottle-brush flowers that turn white as they age. MISC file photo

With that in mind, crews from multiple organizations – Auwahi Restoration Group, Haleakalā Ranch, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and the Plant Extinction Prevention Program – came together to remove over 1,000 fountain grass plants from Puʻuokali. Completing the work will take several years. Grass seeds cover the ground and recent rains will bring a flush of seedlings. But now that the infestation has been detected, it can be managed and eradicated.

You can help. Fountain grass is often used as an ornamental landscaping plant, and people sometimes plant it on Maui by accident. Seeds can be unwittingly transported interisland on hunting or golf gear. If you see fountain grass, take a photo and report it. You can contact MISC directly at 573-MISC (6471) or the statewide pest hotline at 643-PEST, or 643PEST.org.

Lissa Strohecker is the public relations and education specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. She holds a biological sciences degree from Montana State University. Kia’i Moku, “Guarding the Island,” is prepared by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to provide information on protecting the island from invasive plants and animals that can threaten the island’s environment, economy, and quality of life.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on September 12th, 2018, as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles. Find more information about fountain grass:

Species profile: Fountain grass
Report suspected populations of fountain grass: 643PEST.org

COVID-19 and MISC

Posted on March 25, 2020 by MISC

Aloha kākou,

One of the joys of working at MISC is the close ties we have to our community. Our first priority is the health and safety of our employees, their families, and those with whom we work. We wanted to provide you with an update on our response to COVID-19 and what it means for our work in the short term.

We are following the social distancing guidelines and shelter-in-place measures set forth by Mayor Victorino and Governor Ige. MISC and MoMISC have temporarily closed their baseyards to the public, although some staff may be present to perform maintenance and other work that can be accomplished without public interaction or threat to their well-being. Our field crews are working away from each other during this time and our capacity to respond to reports may be delayed.

If you participate in the coqui community resiliency program, we will provide more specific details on ways to support you in quieting the coqui in your neighborhood.

Consider taking this opportunity to check your yard for invasive pests. If you detect a MISC target species, such as little fire ants, new locations of coqui frogs, ohia trees suspected to have Rapid Ohia Death, or others, send us your report and we will follow up when we can. Send reports through:

Voicemail: 808-573-6472
Online: 643PEST.org
Snakes: call 911

Given the dynamic nature of the situation, we will provide updates on MISC’s response on our website and our Facebook page. Significant changes will be sent through email updates.

For now, please know how much we value your support and partnership in protecting Maui Nui from harmful invasive species. Mahalo nui and take care of your health and your family.

All the Staff at the
Maui Invasive Species Committee

Hiring five field crew and a crew leader to join our coqui program.

Posted on February 23, 2020 by MISC

Both recruitments have closed, but if you are interested in working with MISC, please contact us at 808-573-6472. A list of current openings can be found at: mauiinvasive.org/careers

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew Leader – Recruitment closes March 2, 2020
Keep reading for details about the position.

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew – Recruitment closes March 10. 2020
Keep reading for details about the position.

Work outside, mālama the ʻāina, and help your community.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is hiring full-time permanent field positions for the coqui crew. There are five (5) field crew positions and crew leader position open.

This crew works out of our Makawao field station. The work shift is from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm Monday through Thursday during the summer months and 12:00 pm to 10:30 during winter. Shifts can vary depending on operational needs.

Starting salary is $2580/month ($14.89/hour) for field crew postions and $3400/month ($19.61/hour) for the crew leader. Work involves mixing 50 lb bags of citric acid into a 14% solution, hiking in rough terrain while carrying heavy fire hose to spray coqui frog infested areas, and maintaining detailed records including GIS.

Must have current driver’s license and high school diploma or GED equivalent. If you have questions about the position duties and responsibilities, contact the Maui Invasive Species Committee at 808-573-6472.

To apply:

You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position:

1) Cover Letter,
2) Resume,
3) Supervisory References,
4) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s).

All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808) 956-8344 or (808) 956-0872.

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew – Recuitment closes March 10. 2020

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew Leader – Recruitment closes March 2, 2020

Find all current job openings on our Careers page.

Help protect the fragile and amazing anchialine pools of Hawaii

Posted on January 21, 2020 by MISC

Anchialine pools are not tide pools — they have no direct connection to the ocean. Each pool is unique, both in the salinity of the brackish water and the species that live within them. — JEFF BAGSHAW photo.

Amidst a black canvas of young lava, plant-like bacteria grow…..painting a gold border that divides the brilliant green plants from the crystalline blue waters. A diversity of shrimp, from nearly translucent to ruby red in color, float through the water while tuxedo-wearing stilts, ae’o, wander the shoreline plucking their meal from the water.

Such is the scene at a healthy anchialine pool, one of the most unique ecosystems in the world. A mix of freshwater and saltwater, these are not tide pools—anchialine pools are landlocked with no direct channel to the ocean. They are fed by seawater that seeps in underground through porous rock and mixes with surface water. The depth of the pools fluctuates, influenced by the tides, but delayed by the rocks the ocean filters through.

Anchialine pools exist in only a few places in the world and the largest concentration is in the Hawaiian Islands, where most occur on the relatively young lava fields of Big Island and Maui. Unique as they may be, these pools and the species that reside within them are vulnerable to the same threats that plague the rest of Hawaiʻi’s natural resources: invasive species, climate change, and the trampling of too many feet.

Anchialine pools can be as small as a soup pot or as large as a parking lot and no two are alike: “Each one is like a complete universe,” explains Jeff Bagshaw, Natural Area Reserve Specialist at the ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve.

ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu has 12 groups of pools; one is the only home in the world for a tiny swimming crab. Measuring only an inch long and shy, this little creature is rarely seen. It took over 50 years before researchers could finally capture the tiny critter and identify it. Along with the swimming crab, the pools at ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu provide habitat for 10 species of shrimp, five of which are candidates for being listed as endangered species.

Elsewhere in Hawaiʻi, introduced trees such as kiawe and milo suck up water that would otherwise fill pools. Pickleweed, a salt-tolerant introduced plant, crowds out algal mats that feed the shrimp, which in turn feed native shorebirds. Feral goats and people wander among the pools, trampling plants and defecating along the shoreline, changing the chemistry of the pools.

Endangered waterbirds known as stilts enjoy their environment alongside an anchialine pool. Any introduction of invasive species could be extremely detrimental to this very delicate habitat. — Jeff Bradshaw photo.

The pools at ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu are now protected from animals by a fence around the preserve. People have been restricted from accessing the pools since 2008 but footprints are still visible in a mat of cyanobacteria, the plant-like bacteria lining the pond that adds such spectacular color. Volunteers and state crews from the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources have taken on the invasive species, cutting back trees from the shoreline and lying on boogie boards to pluck out pickleweed from the native plants. This work to keep the pools and species within them healthy may help as climate change starts to affect these tiny universes.

As sea levels rise, the pools risk being swamped by the ocean. But there is hope. “If they have an undisturbed space to go to,” says Bagshaw, anchialine pools have potential to move, filling recesses in the lava field upslope as sea level rises. “So it is important to protect potential new habitat in trying to manage pools for the future.”

You can help. The ʻĀhihi-Kīnaʻu Natural Area Reserve is looking for volunteers to educate visitors about responsible behavior in the reserve. Contact Bagshaw at jeff.w.bagshaw@hawaii.gov

This article was originally published in the Maui News on August 13th, 2017, as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Hiring – Community Engagement Coordinator for Coqui Removal – Apply by 12/18/19

Posted on December 6, 2019 by MISC

Please see recruitment on RCUH careers site for a full job description.

Employment type: One (1) Full – time, permanent position open
Shifts: The work schedule is very dynamic and will include evenings and weekends.
Minimum Monthly Salary: $3,800/month
Responsibilities: As the community engagement coordinator, you will be responsible for managing and expanding a community based social marketing program with the goal of engaging private citizens in neighborhood-wide efforts to remove coqui frogs. The position will have supervisory responsibilities once additional staff are hired.
Qualifications:
- Education: Must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Biological Sciences, Agriculture, Resource Management/Conservation, Marketing, or Communications.
- Experience: Three to five years of experience in field activities related to invasive species control, resources management or public relations/outreach, including experience communication and coordinating with agency personnel and private landowners.
- Abilities/Knowledge/Skills: Knowledge of Hawaiian nature history and threats from incipient alien plant and animal invasions in Hawaii. Excellent interpersonal communication skills. Good oral and written communication skills with diverse groups. Ability to understand and carry out oral and written instructions. Skill in facilitating meetings, resolving conflicts and giving public presentations. Ability to make sound planning and logistical decisions, and respond appropriately to shifting operational needs. Ability to oversee and train staff in alien species control field techniques and use of small-mechanized equipment. Ability to write clear and concise reports.

Questions? Contact Adam Radford at 573-6472.

DIRECTIONS FOR APPLYING:

Click the link to access the RCUH careers site.
Search for Job ID# 19627, MISC Community Engagement Coordinator
Review the job description and select the Apply button to begin your application.

The little fire ant (LFA) has been detected in the Twin Falls area, Huelo, Maui.

Posted on November 27, 2019 by MISC

An infestation of little fire ants (LFA) has been detected at an area known as Twin Falls, in Huelo, East Maui. The infestation was reported in early November, by both an area resident living within the infested zone and a former employee of the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) who had been stung while visiting the popular hiking and swimming site off the Hana Highway.

Do not remove anything from a known infestation to avoid spreading little fire ants. MISC file photo
Little fire ants easily fall off overhanging vegetation. Stings on the neck and torso can indicate the presence of this invasive ant. MISC file photo.
Little fire ants, Wasmannia auropunctata, on a penny. Photo by Zach Pezzillo.
A little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, on the tip of an index finger. Photo by Zach Pezzillo.

On Hawaii Island, residents and visitors have abandoned popular trails and waterfall hikes because of the rain of stinging ants that fall on them as they pass through overhanging vegetation.

On November 14th, two dozen people – both local residents and community members from elsewhere on Maui, worked with MISC and Hawaii Department of Agriculture personnel to place and collect samples to determine the size and spread of the infestation.

At approximately eight acres, the infestation encompasses several homes and some areas frequented by hikers and swimmers. Samples collected downstream from the core of the infestation have little fire ants – additional survey work will determine if the ants have spread along the waterway.

This find marks the third detection of the year on Maui, consistent with the trend of detecting two to three little fire ant populations each year. “We are fortunate to have strong community awareness – public reporting of little fire ants continues to be the most effective way to find populations,” says Adam Radford, MISC manager. MISC is actively treating ten populations of little fire ants.

Thanks to funding from Maui County and the Hawaii Invasive Species Council the LFA response team is expanding by two to address this growing problem. MISC continues to partner with Maui HDOA staff in following up on reports and treatment efforts from Kapalua to Hana. The most important part of successful containment is community participation.

“If we are to keep little fire ants from becoming established, we need to find the populations early while they are still small – – we need the community to remain vigilant, actively checking for little fire ants whenever new material (potted plants, mulch, or anything stored outside) is introduced to their homes and reporting suspected populations of little fire ants early on. We know new populations will continue to be discovered, and we’re prepared for that, we’ve been highly successful at removal throughout Maui,” says Radford.

There will be a community meeting on Thursday, December 5^th, at 6:00 pm at the Haiku Community Center to discuss what is known about the Twin Falls little fire ant infestation and plans for eradication.

Visit stoptheant.org to find out more information on collecting samples of ants and the status of LFA on Maui and throughout the state. Suspected populations of little fire ants can be reported to the Maui Branch of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture at 808-873-3080, or the Maui Invasive Species Committee at 808-573-6472.

PDF link: Press-Release-Little-Fire-Ants-Twin-Falls_112719.pdf

Perils of pampas on West Maui Mountains

Posted on November 18, 2019 by MISC

Steve Perlman examining invasive pampas grass in Kauaʻula Valley. — MISC file photo

With plumes that bring to mind ostrich feathers, pampas grass first became popular in the Victorian era. Fluffy seed heads decorated the most fashionable hats, homes, even carriages. Interest surged again in the mid-1960s and the plant became a fixture in some yards and golf courses on Maui.

Today, pampas is taking over Instagram feeds: the plumes are used to add a Bohemian/Southwestern flavor to wedding bouquets, centerpieces, and home décor. But here on Maui, this ornamental grass is associated with a different trend: loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species and destruction of the watershed.

“But here on Maui, this ornamental grass is associated with a different trend: loss of habitat for threatened and endangered species and destruction of the watershed.”

Pampas can grow on nearly vertical slopes, displacing native plants that support populations of threatened and endangered animals and disrupting watershed function. With seeds that can travel 20 miles in the wind, ornamental plantings can infest far away forests. — MISC file photo

Pampas is a clumping bunchgrass native to South America. The leaves are razor-sharp, dying back each year but leaving dry foliage that accumulates and can fuel wildfires. The decorative plume is the seed-head and a single plant can spread millions of tiny seeds on the wind – in some cases, as far as 20 miles. Seeds germinate readily on bare soil, but with enough moisture, the invader finds footholds in patches of moss or tree bark. The plant competes with native vegetation and could replace habitat and food resources used by native birds and in doing so disrupting the layered structure of the rainforest so important for aquifer recharge.

This grass knows no limits – it has been found growing from sea-level to the rim of Haleakalā Crater at 9000 feet. Water, or lack thereof, doesn’t seem to be a key determinant for where pampas lives. It will (and does) grow in the wettest rainforests and on the driest hillsides, often emerging in rain-drenched bogs and wind-scoured cinder slopes.

Pampas grass has been a target for eradication on Maui since the mid-1990s when staff from Haleakalā National Park started finding feathery plumes in the crater. MISC has been working to stop pampas since the inception of the program. Through continued control efforts, the East Maui population has been in steady decline but without consistent support and control efforts, progress could stall.

MISC employee scoping out pampas. Invasive plants don’t always grow in easily accessible areas. The slopes of West Maui are so steep that efforts to remove plants like pampas grass necessitate the use of helicopters. — MISC file photo

The West Maui pampas population has always presented challenges. Much of the difficulty lies in the rugged terrain and weather, limiting access for much of the year. On East Maui, crews can access much of the known pampas infestation by timing helicopter flights early in the day and camping and hiking to access plants from the ground, but the slopes of the West Maui Mountains are more vertical than anywhere else in Maui, affording few camping sites and making ground access difficult or impossible. Pampas, on the other hand, thrives on the bare soil of the erosion-prone slopes. When that happens, our crews depend on helicopters to seek out and remove the invader.

Thanks to funding from the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, MISC crews have been scouring the cliff faces of West Maui over the last year. They are looking for pampas plumes and the tell-tale growth pattern of the plant before it goes into flower. If they find the plant, they record the location by on a GPS and then return by helicopter but this time loaded down with an external tank and 80’ long line and weighted sprayer attached. This allows the pilot and crew to hold hover over the plant and remotely trigger a tiny spray of herbicide directly to the grass below.

Despite nearly constant rescheduling of flights due to weather or a need for the helicopters to go fight a brush fire, crews have flown over 15,000 acres on West Maui from 2017 to the summer of 2019. This coverage has led to the detection and removal of nearly 1,900 pampas plants from the mountain slopes– a huge leap forward in the effort to stop this invader from taking over prime habitat for native birds, plants, and invertebrates.

You can help. First, become familiar with what pampas grass looks like (mauiinvasive.org/pampas/). Second, never plant pampas grass or import it for décor or floral arrangements. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife has designated pampas as one of Hawaiʻis most invasive horticultural plants. Finally, report any pampas grass you find. You can report it to MISC: 573-6472, miscpr@hawaii.edu, or online at 643PEST.org

This article was originally published in the Maui News on September 14th, 2019 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Accepting applications for full-time coqui field crew positions

Posted on October 28, 2019 by MISC

Apply HERE for MISC Coqui Crew

MISC is looking for hard-working, detail-oriented individuals with a passion for Maui to join our coqui crew and control invasive coqui frogs by spraying food-grade citric acid.

Gain valuable field experience in the Maui conservation community!

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is hiring full-time temporary field positions for the coqui crew. The positions are five (5) month temporary hires with the possibility of permanent positions.

Starting salary is $14.89/hour. Work involves mixing 50 lb bags of citric acid into a 12% solution, hiking in rough terrain while carrying heavy fire hose to spray coqui frog infested areas, and maintaining detailed records including GIS.

Must have current driver’s license and high school diploma or GED equivalent. This is an ongoing recruitment. If you have any questions about the position, contact Abe Vandenberg at 808-269-0535.

To apply:

Submit your application online: Apply HERE for MISC Coqui Crew

–or–

Email a cover letter that includes your interest in the position and a resume with 3 professional references to Abe Vandenberg, anv@hawaii.edu.

Know a landscaper helping prevent the spread of invasive species? Nominate him/her for the 2019 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Posted on September 30, 2019 by MISC

The Mālama i ka ʻĀina recognizes the proactive efforts of those working within the landscape community to address the threat of invasive species. The award is sponsored and presented by the County of Maui (Rob Parsons -L), the Maui Invasive Species Committee (Adam Radford), and the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals (Allison Wright). Also pictured is the 2018 recipient, Anna Palamino, owner of Hoʻolawa Farms (holding award), and past awardee Martha Vockrodt-Moran of D.T. Fleming Arboretum on far right.

Nominations are now being accepted to honor invasive species prevention efforts within Maui County. The Malama i ka Aina Award is presented annually to a landscaper, plant provider (retail and wholesale nurseries and garden shops), or commercial/agricultural property owner/manager to recognize their efforts to keep invasive species out of Maui County.

The award is a cooperative effort of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, the Maui Invasive Species Committee, and the County of Maui.

The 2018 award featured a sculpture of an iʻiwi feeding on an endangered koliʻi by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen

The winner will be announced Saturday, November 2nd at the Arbor Day Garden Expo and Hawaiian Tree Giveaway at the Maui Nui Botanical Garden. The winner will receive a plaque, a glass sculpture by artist Jupiter Nielsen, a one-year free membership with the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals and local media recognition.

Applicants are requested to explain how the nominee’s activities or decisions have contributed to keeping Maui free from invasive species. Examples include: not selling or using invasive plants, steps taken to learn about invasives, and efforts to reduce the use of invasive species by customers.

Applications are due by Friday, October 18th, 2019 and are available on the event website, www.arbordayexpo.com or here: 2019 Malama i ka Aina Award Nomination Form. You may submit completed nominations via email to miscpr@hawaii.edu, fax to 573-6475, or mail to MISC at P.O. Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768. There is no fee to apply. Self-nominations are welcome. For more information, call 573-MISC (6472), or e-mail miscpr@hawaii.edu. Past Malama i ka Aina Award recipients were recognized for meaningful steps taken to prevent the spread of invasive species, including incorporating codes-of-conduct in business practices, educating the public and clients about invasive species, and encouraging the use of native species in landscape design. Actions of award recipients are steps in the right direction!

Press release 9/23/19: New infestation of little fire ants found in Waihee Valley

Posted on September 23, 2019 by MISC

Little Fire Ants on a hibiscus flower in Waihee Valley. MISC file photo

In late August 2019, a Waihee Valley resident called the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) to report stinging ants. She feared they were little fire ants (LFA) after being stung on her neck and under her collar while working near fruit trees. Staff from MISC contacted the resident and arranged a site visit to investigate the report. The ants were identified under a microscope as little fire ants or Wasmannia auropunctata.

The next day, a team from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and MISC conducted surveys in the area, which is adjacent to the Waihee River. Initial surveys indicate that LFA are present on three properties. The infestation is estimated to cover four to five acres, mostly in overgrown vegetation and away from homes. Little fire ants were detected next to the river, raising concerns that the ants may have moved downstream; however, preliminary riverside surveys below the infestation zone did not detect any LFA.

Area residents who have encountered stinging ants—particularly those who have been stung on their neck and upper body after working with or under vegetation – are urged to report suspect ants by contacting either the Maui Invasive Species Committee at 573-MISC (6472), the Hawaii Department of Agriculture on Maui at 873-3080, or online at 643PEST.org.

LFA on a coconut. Multiple colonies can live within a coconut and simply the act of moving a coconut, mulch, or anything stored outside can spread an infestation to a new area. MISC file photo

This infestation is the fourteenth detection of little fire ants on the Valley Isle since 2009 and the second detection of LFA on Maui this year, following the April detection in the Happy Valley neighborhood of Wailuku. MISC is actively treating five sites; the Waihee Valley site will be the sixth. After undergoing a rigorous treatment regimen, little fire ants are thought to be eliminated from other sites, though MISC continues to survey to ensure they are gone.

The source of the infestation is unknown at this time and there is no known connection between this one and a previously-infested site at a farm in Waihee. Based on the size of the new infestation, experts estimate little fire ants have been present for five or more years.

The little fire ant has been called one of the 100 worst invasive species globally (IUCN Invasive Species Specialist Group). They were first detected on Hawaii Island in 1999 and Maui in 2009. Little fire ants reach incredible densities (80 million ants per acre) and outcompete many other insects and small vertebrates. LFA live in trees as well as on the ground. People often discover the ants by brushing against heavily-infested bushes or in windy conditions when the ants fall off plants or trees. Unsuspecting victims of the “ant rain” are left with painful stings and animals can be blinded. On Hawai‘i Island, little fire ants are now widespread. People describe being at their “wit’s end” and unable to take their keiki to the places they learned to fish, hunt, surf, and hike. Left unchecked, this species will affect Maui’s environment, and agriculture, and forever change our quality of life.

There will be a community meeting on Wednesday, October 9th at 6 pm at the Waihee Elementary School. Officials from MISC and HDOA will share information on the threat of little fire ants, the current status of Maui’s infestations, the plan for treatment, and community efforts to prevent the spread. Learn more about LFA, including how to collect samples, at www.stoptheant.org

Contact:               Lissa Strohecker, Public Relations and Education Specialist                                Brooke Mahnken, LFA Coordinator
                               Adam Radford, MISC Manager
                               Maui Invasive Species Committee
                               PH: (808) 573-6472

Email: miscpr@hawaii.edu

Little fire ants on the stem of a hibiscus flower. MISC file photo.
LFA are attracted to peanut butter. Baiting a chopstick with peanut butter and returning after 45 minutes to pick it up is one way to sample your yard for little fire ants and other species. Find instructions at http://stoptheant.org/report-little-fire-ants/ MISC file photo.