Get Involved! — Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

Hiring! Plant crew positions

Posted on October 15, 2018 by MISC

Currently hiring! Apply by 11/15/18

The boardwalk running along the Waikamoi flume...the easy part. — The boardwalk running along the Waikamoi flume…the easy part.

Wanted: hard-working, detail-oriented individuals with a passion for Maui.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is hiring field associates for their plant crew, based out of Makawao. The positions are full-time, 40 hours/week. These are temporary positions with the possibility of permanent employment dependent on funding.

Crew work to protect Maui from a targeted set of invasive species wherever they may be found. You could spend your nights hunting down coqui frogs or your days exploring the island, from urban settings to remote places rarely touched by people.

The MISC plant crew typically works a 7:30am to 4:00pm schedule Monday through Friday though operational needs (like helicopter surveys! ) may require flexibility. Starting salary is $2582/month. Work involves hiking in rough terrain, using mechanical and chemical means to remove invasive plants, talking to the public, and keeping detailed records of efforts including operating and downloading GPS units.

Must have current driver’s license and high school diploma or GED equivalent. The crew is based out of Makawao.

Apply by sending a cover letter and resume including three professional references to Adam Knox, knoxa@hawaii.edu. Call 573-6472 if you have any questions about the position.

Full job description below:

Invasive species field associate 1: Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. (6) Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU), working for an island-based Invasive Species Committee (Big Island/Kauai/Maui/Molokai/Oahu), located in Hawaii. This position will be located in Makawao, Maui. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws.

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE: $2,582/Mon.

DUTIES: Conducts field operations to implement established action plans, targeting invasive alien plant and animal species for control or eradication. Fieldwork involves reconnaissance, surveys, and mechanical/chemical removal for invasive alien species in natural, urban, and suburban areas. Fieldwork includes off trail areas where exposure to extreme hot and cold temperatures, heavy rainfall, mosquitoes, and difficult terrain is common. Implements protocol to prevent seed dispersal, follows decontamination protocols, and conducts all operations according to accepted safety standards and established protocols. Fieldwork requires the ability to drive project vehicles both on and off road, work in and around helicopters, and handle pesticides. Keeps accurate and detailed records of treatment and control work. Operates a Global Positioning System (GPS) and downloads GPS units. Inputs and updates data and produces maps and other materials to guide daily field activities. Assists with maintenance of equipment/field gear, vehicles, and project baseyard, including proper storage of herbicides. Assists with public relations activities and events and attains favorable public relations with property owners and other members of the public. Contributes to creating and preserving a positive work environment and serves as a valued member of the field team. Progression from an Invasive Species Field Associate I to Invasive Species Field Associate II may be possible upon demonstrated ability to meet established performance factors and project specific competencies, including satisfactory completion of all required trainings.

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING: High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent. ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS: Basic knowledge of Hawaiian biota/natural history and threats from incipient alien plant and animal invasions in Hawaii. Knowledge of field activities relating to natural resources management. Knowledge of identification of common native Hawaiian plants and common introduced weed species. Good oral and written communication skills. Ability to read maps and aerial photographs and document work. Ability and experience working with small, mechanized equipment (chain saws, etc.) Basic computer skills. Level I and Level II must possess a valid driver’s license and proof of vehicle insurance, and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Must be able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with manual transmission. Post Offer/Employment Conditions: Must possess the American Red Cross Certification in First Aid/CPR (or be able to obtain and maintain the certificate following the training provided within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment). Must be able to complete basic helicopter safety and pesticide safety courses within twelve (12) months from date of hire.

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS: Ability to backpack, lift and carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted. Ability to hike and camp in remote areas and rugged terrain under inclement weather conditions, up to five (5) consecutive days.

POLICY AND/OR REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS: As a condition of employment, employee will be subject to all applicable RCUH policies and procedures and, as applicable, subject to University of Hawaii’s and/or business entity’s policies and procedures. Violation of RCUH’s, UH’s, or business entity’s policies and/or procedures or applicable State or Federal laws and/or regulations may lead to disciplinary action (including, but not limited to possible termination of employment, personal fines, civil and/or criminal penalties, etc.).

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS: Experience working in and around helicopters and using pesticides. Field experience in an active resource management program to protect ecosystems in Hawaii or elsewhere, especially in the control of invasive alien species. Experience using handheld GPS units and ArcGIS software. Ability to make sound planning and logistical decisions in the field. Ability to identify a wide variety of native and alien plants/animals. INQUIRIES: Adam Knox 573-6471 (Maui).

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please send a cover letter and resume including three references to Adam Knox, knoxa@hawaii.edu.

CLOSING DATE: November 15, 2018.

Equal Opportunities Employer – Minorities/Women/Disability/Veteran.

Celebrate invasive species prevention: nominate a Maui County landscaper for the Malama i ka Aina award

Posted on May 10, 2018 by MISC

2017 Award Ceremony: Allison Wright of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, Teya Penniman of the Maui Invasive Species Committee, Joe Imhoff, Henry Imhoff, Sara Tekula, and Jeremiah Savage of the County of Maui. Photo by Bryan Berkowitz/Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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 winner will be announced Saturday, June 16th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals’ Maui Garden and Landscape Expo at the Maui Mall. 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 con

The awardee will receive a glass sculpture by local artist Jupiter Nielsen. A Kamehameha butterfly adorned the 2016 award.

tributed 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 use of invasive species by other customers.

Applications are due by Friday, June 1st, 2018 and are available here: 2018 Malama i ka `Aina Award On-line Application

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!

Honor an invasive species savvy landscaper

Posted on May 24, 2017 by MISC

Tamara Sherrill , director of the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, was the recipient of the 2016 Malama i ka Aina Award. From left, Rob Parson, Tamara Sherrill, Allison Wright, and Adam Radford.

Tamara Sherrill , director of the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens, was the recipient of the 2016 Malama i ka Aina Award. From left, Rob Parsons, County of Maui; Tamara Sherrill, Allison Wright, Maui Association of Landscape Professionals; and Adam Radford, Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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

The awardee will receive a glass sculpture by local artist Jupiter Nielsen. A Kamehameha butterfly adorned the 2016 award.

The winner will be announced Saturday, June 17th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals’ Maui Garden and Landscape Expo at the Maui Mall. 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 use of invasive species by other customers.

Applications are due by Friday, June 2rd, 2017 and are available here: 2017 Malama i ka `Aina Award On-line Application

Deck your hall with boughs of locally harvested plants

Posted on February 10, 2016 by MISC

Join the Friends of Haleakalā for their annual pine pull – a chance to remove invasives and take home some locally harvested holiday greenery. Photo by Matt Wordeman.

Friends' 2014 pine pull - down the hill - Matt wordeman

Collecting pine trees Maui style. Though the snow may be lacking it still warms the heart. Photo by Matt Wordeman

Deck the halls with boughs of….holly? ‘Tis the season to decorate your hale with holiday wreaths, sprigs, and boughs.

Fresh greenery, seeds, and flowers are as much or more a part of this season as pretty paper and bows. Using plants to adorn homes during the winter solstice is a tradition that goes back to ancient times, as many cultures celebrated the return of the sun. Egyptians filled their homes with palms to celebrate the recovery of Ra, their sun god, from the illness that left the days shorter. Early Romans brought fir trees inside during their solstice feast of Saturnalia, honoring Saturn, the god of agriculture. Vikings honored the sun god Balder with pine boughs, and the Druids decorated their temples with evergreen boughs symbolizing everlasting life. Evergreens hold particular significance as they remain fresh throughout the year, no matter the climate.

Traditionally, all of these decorative plants were collected locally. It’s only in today’s era of globalization that our traditions are tied to imported plants and food. This year, consider revising your definition of traditional and decorate with locally grown plants. In doing so, you share your love of Hawaiʻi and help protect our island way of life for future generations.

Pine trees and garlands:
Few decorations are as iconic as the Christmas tree. But almost every year, agricultural inspectors hold and treat or even reject shipments of pines from the mainland because they contain hitchhiking pest species that threaten Hawaiʻi. Each tree is shaken to check for unwanted pests: slugs and yellow jackets are not uncommon, and in 2010 salamanders and Pacific tree frogs were found. The Vespula wasp made its way to our islands via shipments of Christmas trees in the 1970s.

Alternatives: If you consider evergreens a necessary ingredient for the holidays, you’ll be pleased to know there are locally grown pines available, for sale or for harvest. Each year groups like Friends of Haleakala National Park remove invasive pines from the slopes of Haleakala. Volunteer with them and you and your family can get a free tree. If you missed the December 12^th event this year, mark your calendar to check the Friends’ website next year: www.fhnp.org

Wreaths:
A beautiful wreath of fresh foliage welcoming people to your home is a great way to set the tone for the holiday. Whether you create your own or purchase one ready-made, make sure the fresh decorations on your wreath are locally sourced. If you are using the reproductive parts of a plant (seeds or berries) it’s especially important to ensure that you are not helping spread an invasive pest or disease. For example, pampas grass has beautiful feathery plumes, but it’s a pest that the Maui Invasive Species Committee works to remove from Maui. Each plume is filled with thousands of wind-blown seeds that can compromise Maui’s watershed – not the message you want to send from your front door.

Alternatives: Locally grown pines, proteas, succulents, and herbs can be used to create beautiful and sturdy wreaths. If you need a little guidance, several organizations and local businesses have wreath making classes during December; Aliʻi Kula Lavender Farm still has classes so you can create a wreath in time for Christmas: www.aliikulalavender.com. Locally made wreaths are often available at farmers’ markets.

Houseplants and other vegetation:
Poinsettias are a holiday stable, and a houseplant or orchid is a great gift for the person who has everything. Purchasing plants from local growers lessens the likelihood that you’ll be giving an unintended gift.

Alternatives: Every year the Agricultural and Natural Resources Class at the University of Hawaiʻi Maui College grows poinsettias to sell as a fundraiser. Check the paper or the Facebook page for exact dates. Consider giving a native plant grown on Maui; ask your garden shop where the plants are grown.

Ancient and modern Hawaiians celebrate Makahiki at this time of year, a time of peace, feasting and festival, celebrating the prosperity of the land. It’s a time of family and gathering together, a time of creating and passing along traditions. This year, celebrate the prosperity of the islands and protect it for future generations. Hauʻoli makahiki hou from all of us at the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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.

Written by Lissa Strohecker. Originally published in the Maui News on December 13th, 2015 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Now accepting nominations for the 2015 Malama i ka Aina Award

Posted on May 18, 2015 by MISC

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

The winner will be announced Saturday, June 20th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals’ Lawn & Garden Fair at the Maui Mall. 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.

Applications are due by May 30th, 2015 and are available via this link: 2015 Malama i ka `Aina Award On-line Application-2

Premiere of the new documentary Invasion: Little Fire Ants in Hawaii

Posted on January 6, 2014 by MISC Leave a Comment

In 2009, Waihee farmer Christina Chang was stung on the eye by a tiny ant at her home on Maui. She suspected, and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture confirmed, that this ant was the little fire ant, Wasmannia auropunctata, never before found on Maui. The detection spurred creation of a new documentary, Invasion: Little Fire Ants in Hawaii.

Invasive species introductions to Hawaii often end in regret and a list of should-haves. This film, produced by the Maui Invasive Species Committee, aims to change the result of the arrival of little fire ants in Hawaii. Featuring videography from award-winning film makers Masako Cordray and Chris Reickert, this half-hour film examines the biology, impacts, and potential solutions to the spread of little fire ants through interviews with scientists, farmers, and community on the Big Island reeling from the impacts of this miniscule, but devastating, ant. Viewers will learn how to identify and report new infestations, helping to protect Hawaii from this small stinging ant

The Waihee site is on target for eradication. However, little fire ants have recently been detected moving between islands, raising concern about the establishment of new infestations. On Hawaii Island, the little fire ant is now widespread in the Hilo area where efforts are focused on educating landowners about control options. Infestations are now occurring on the Kona side as well. Research on effective control continues by the Hawaii Ant Lab, a joint project of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and University of Hawaii. The little fire ant on Kauai is contained within a 12-acre area under active control by HDOA

The film will premiere on Maui January 8^that the McCoy Theater at the Maui Arts and Cultural Center. Doors open at 5pm. An awards ceremony and panel discussion will follow the screening. Food and beverages are available for purchase on site beginning at 4:30pm.

Screenings on other islands will follow. Please RSVP to miscpr@hawaii.edu to reserve a seat. Below is the current screening schedule:

Maui: January 8, McCoy Theater and the Maui Arts and Cultural Center, 5pm
Oahu: January 13, Cafe Julia at the YWCA, 1040 Richard St, 4:30pm
Kauai: January 18, Kauai Community College Performing Arts Center
Hilo: TBA (February 18)
Kona: February 19, Aloha Performing Arts Center, 5pm

The film will also air throughout the state on KITV

Sat 1/11 630-7PM

Sunday 1/12 9-9:30AM

Sat 1/19 4-4:30PM

Sunday 1/20 10:30-11P

Funding and support for the film was provided by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture, County of Maui-Office of Economic Development, US Fish and Wildlife Service, Hawaii Community Foundation-Pikake Fund, Maui Electric Company, Alexander and Baldwin Foundation, Tri-Isle RC&D. MISC and the Hawaii Ant Lab are collaborative projects of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

Hawaiian land snails– a tale of evolution worthy of protection

Posted on July 22, 2013 by MISC Leave a Comment

The tale of Hawaiian land snails began millions of years ago as the first plants and animals began to colonize the islands. Researchers don’t know exactly how snails arrived – perhaps stuck to the feathers of a bird or on a floating tree trunk. But in a remarkable story of evolutionary radiation, some 21 or more of those first species that arrived over the millennia gave rise to more than 750 distinct species. Of those, 99% are endemic to Hawai‘i – found here and nowhere else.

This species of Newcomb’s tree snail used to be widespread on Maui but today is only known from a handful of places in the West Maui Mountains thanks to habitat loss and invasive predators-rats and the rosy wolf snail. Baby snails, like this one riding on mom, are rare. Photo courtesy of Hank Oppenheimer

Famously varied in color and shape, Hawaiians called them pūpū kuahiwi, or high-hill snails. Early Europeans collected these jewels of the forest, selling them as lei or to collectors. These snails are still highly valued. Current efforts focus on saving remaining species; high-elevation snail refuges are built to protect them.

Often native snails are found only on one island, or in a single valley or ridge, teetering on extinction because of habitat destruction, shell collection, and invasive species. Adding to the challenges, many Hawaiian land snails reproduce at what is truly a snail’s pace: some species are 3-7 years old at first reproduction and have only 4-7 young per year. They grow slowly—only 0.2 to 0.4 cm a year. Compare this to the invasive giant African snail (Achatina fulica) which reproduce at one year of age, lays up to 600 eggs annually, and grows about 2.5 cm per year.

One species of snail endemic to Maui, Newcomb’s tree snail or Newcombia cumingi, was once found from Lahaina to Makawao, but like most land snails, has become increasingly rare during the latter half of the 20^th century. It was last seen in 1938 by Bishop Museum researchers then rediscovered in 1994 by resource managers with the Maui Land and Pineapple Company’s Pu‘u Kukui Watershed Preserve (PKW).

“One hundred years ago they [native snails] were everywhere,” explains Dr. Kenneth Hayes, a University of Hawai‘i researcher who, along many others, has been working to find out how many West Maui snails remain. Today, 50 percent or more are gone, many turned into escargot for invasive predators—rats, Jackson’s chameleons, and the rosy wolf snail. According to Hayes, the remaining native snails have mostly been relegated to the few areas that still contain native forest, but even these refuges won’t last long if we don’t stem the tide of invasive species. Native snails dine primarily on the fungi that grow on native plants. Invasive plants change the way water moves through Hawaiian watersheds altering the ecosystem by changing what plants, animals, fungi or microbes can live there. The snails’ preferred fungi may not grow in altered habitats.

Pomaikai Kaniaupio-Crozier, conservation manager with PKW, is leading efforts to protect the Newcombia. With US Fish and Wildlife Service funding and partner help they are planning an exclosure in the native forest of West Maui to keep hungry predators from munching native snails.

The West Maui “snail refuge” will be modeled after similar exclosures on O‘ahu, where the O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program has enclosed three areas to keep out rats, chameleons, and even the predatory rosy wolf snail. A 4-foot tall sheet metal fence topped by a curved lip deters rats and chameleons. Predatory snails face sheet metal at an impossible-to-scale 10 degree angle– if they do manage they hit an electric wire. One fence is equipped with an electronic sensing system that alerts managers via text message if debris falls on the fence.

The first step in protecting Newcombia is a population survey. “They are the size of a pinky fingernail and very cryptic,” says Kaniaupio-Crozier. “It’s like finding the needle in the haystack, looking for something that small in 8,600 acres. Up until a couple months ago we were getting pretty demoralized.”

Then they made a remarkable discovery. They found a new population, in totally unexpected habitat. The existing Newcombia population inhabited a wet area with lots of ‘ōhi‘a; the new population was found on ‘ākia, in much drier terrain. “There’s hope there may be another population somewhere else.”

From survey to construction, building the snail refuge will take several years. You can help. PKW is welcoming people interested in habitat restoration, monitoring, even joining in the brainstorming. Contact Kaniaupio-Crozier at pkaniaupio-crozier@mlpmaui.com or by phone, 870-4225. To learn more about the native and non-native land snails of Hawai‘i, contact Ken Hayes, khayes@hawaii.edu, Norine Yeung, nyeung@hawaii.edu, or visit the Hawaiian Land Snail Conservation Facebook Page.

As with many conservation projects, the snail exclosure at Pu‘u Kukui involves many agencies and partners: US Fish and Wildlife Service, National Science Foundation, University of Hawai‘i Mānoa, O‘ahu Army Natural Resources Program, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Plant Extinction Prevention Program, and more.

By Lissa Fox Strohecker. Originally published in the Maui News, July 14th, 2013 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Educator Workshop on Maui

Posted on July 11, 2013 by MISC Leave a Comment

Hō‘ike o Haleakalā Curriculum-35 million years of Hawaiian natural history over 3 days

Educator workshop on Maui Workshop Dates:
-Friday, August 16, 9-4 (Classroom)
-Saturday, August 17, 10-4 (Hike into The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve)
-Saturday, August 24, 9-4pm (Classroom)

Where: Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Office, 820 Pi‘iholo Road, Makawao

COST: $30 workshop cost covers lunch and supplies for classroom use. Check payable to Tri-Isle RC&D, mail to MISC, PO Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768

Earn 3 DOE professional development credits—search for course title on PDE3 site
Portfolio review date: Saturday, November 9, 2013

Learn new ways to teach science using examples from Hawaiian ecosystems. This course will cover the emergence of the Hawaiian Islands, native flora and fauna, and present day invasive species issues. Play with glo-germ, Google Earth, and a fast-paced forest bird card game. Workshop includes two days of hands-on activities and guest scientists with a half day field trip into The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve.

Registration Deadline: August 1, 2013. Register via this link: Hō‘ike o Haleakalā Curriculum-35 million years of Hawaiian natural history over 3 days

The “yellow dragon disease” is perched on Hawaii’s doorstep

Posted on April 30, 2013 by MISC Leave a Comment

Tangerines, oranges, lemons, limes, pummelo and grapefruit— sharing a box of citrus just picked from the backyard is part of life in Hawai‘i, much as leaving your slippers outside the front door.

But imagine walking outside to find your trees covered in bitter, misshapen fruit: no more fresh lemons, tangerines, or oranges from your yard. Backyard gardeners and commercial growers across the mainland are scrambling to protect their citrus in the face of one of the most serious citrus diseases in the world, a disease perched on Hawai‘i’s doorstep.

Citrus greening disease, also known as huanglongbing or yellow dragon disease, originated in Asia. It was first detected in the United States in Florida in August of 2005. By July of 2008 it had spread across the state. It has since sprung up in backyards and farms throughout the Southern United States. Once infected, plants don’t recover and thousands of trees throughout the Southeast have died. The impacts to the citrus industry in Florida have been profound. California citrus growers are bracing themselves after the disease popped up in a Los Angeles suburb last summer.

A tiny, gnat-sized insect, the Asian citrus psyllid (Diaphorina citri), is responsible for spreading citrus greening disease. These psyllids feed on the stems and leaves of citrus and must feed on an infected tree to spread the bacterial disease. Currently, citrus greening is not present in Hawai‘i, but we do have sizeable populations of non-native Asian psyllid. Across the mainland the trend has been for the arrival of the psyllid to be followed by the disease.

The Asian citrus psyllid was first detected on the Big Island in 2006. Monica Tauyan is a plant pest

The pattern of “blotchy mottle” on this citrus leaf is an classic sign of a citrus greening infection. Photo courtesy of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences-Citrus Canker.

control technician with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. She is part of a team that regularly surveys citrus across the state for citrus greening. Tauyan has no problem finding the Asian psyllid living on a variety of different citrus. “The psyllid causes leaf curl,” she says, “but the major concern is the disease.” If citrus greening arrives, the psyllids will carry the disease from tree to tree. Tauyan conducts surveys on Maui several times a year, and on Moloka‘i and Lāna‘i annually. Her efforts have been focused on farms, nurseries, and residences, and to date, have come up empty handed.

She’s looking for blotchy mottling on the leaves in an asymmetric pattern, “It’s the classic symptom.” according to Tauyan. When she finds this, or other indicators—such as yellowing leaves or misshapen, bitter fruit that don’t ripen—she collects samples and sends them to the University of Hawai‘i for testing. “We’ve been doing surveys since 2009. So far we’ve had no positives.”

If citrus greening makes it to Hawai‘i, Tauyan thinks it will likely arrive in the form of an infected psyllid. Psyllids carry the disease for life. A miniscule psyllid slipping undetected into Hawai‘i could spell big trouble for our citrus and inspectors with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture are on the lookout.

Malformed fruit also indicate and infection of citrus greening. Photo courtesy of the University of Florida Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences-Citrus Canker.

You can help. First, don’t bring citrus plant material into Hawai‘i from the mainland or other parts of the world without first checking with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture. Secondly, regularly check your citrus. If the leaves are blotchy and mottled unevenly, or the fruit is misshapen and not ripening correctly your citrus could be infected. Confirming the diagnosis requires lab work, as there are also mineral deficiencies that resemble a greening infection. Contact Tauyan at the Department of Agriculture on O‘ahu 808-973-9528 if you are concerned about your citrus plants, or collect a sample yourself and submit it to the local extension office of the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources in Kahului or Ho‘olehua on Moloka‘i. Submission guidelines are online at www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/dnn/yellowdragon/SampleSubmission.aspx. Learn more about the disease and find an app for reporting possible cases of citrus greening at www.saveourcitrus.org

By Lissa Fox Strohecker. Originally published in the Maui News, April 14th, 2013 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Maui Activities for Invasive Species Awareness Week

Posted on February 28, 2013 by MISC Leave a Comment

It’s Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Week and on Maui, we’re focusing on ant awareness (more activities to follow).

What do you know about the little fire ant? Here’s a change to test your knowledge and win some great prizes. Teachers-here’s an activity for you and your students!

Tune into KPOA 93.5 & KISS 99.9 March 4-8th for the Spot the Ant & Stop the Ant contest from the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the County of Maui.

Be ready to answer the trivia questions (all information from fireantfreemaui.org) on-air for a chance to win one of these great prizes from our sponsors:

One night at the Ritz-Carlton, Kapalua
One night & brunch for 2 at the Kaanapali Beach Hotel
A round of golf for 2 at the Makena Beach & Golf Resort
All you can eat prime rib & seafood buffet for 2 from the Makena Beach and Golf Resort
A sunset dinner cruise for 2 from the Pacific Whale Foundation
$100 gift card for tickets from the Maui Arts & Cultural Center
6-line canopy tour for 2 from the Piiholo Ranch Zipline
Hana-Haleakala A star tour for 2 from Blue Hawaiian Helicopters
$100 gift card for Ruby Tuesdays in Kihei *

*Special thanks to the Hawaii Islands Land Trust

Think you have little fire ants on your property?
On Maui test & send in a sample to Maui Invasive Species Committee, PO Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768

Hiring! Plant crew positions

Celebrate invasive species prevention: nominate a Maui County landscaper for the Malama i ka Aina award

Honor an invasive species savvy landscaper

Deck your hall with boughs of locally harvested plants

Now accepting nominations for the 2015 Malama i ka Aina Award

Premiere of the new documentary Invasion: Little Fire Ants in Hawaii

Hawaiian land snails– a tale of evolution worthy of protection

Educator Workshop on Maui

The “yellow dragon disease” is perched on Hawaii’s doorstep

Maui Activities for Invasive Species Awareness Week

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