Kia’i Moku Column — Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

643PEST simplifies reporting invasive species throughout Hawai’i

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

In the late 1990s, a Maui-based ecologist and scientist working with the US Geological Survey (USGS) envisioned a simple, straightforward way for the public to report invasive pests. The late Lloyd Loope was acutely aware of how important it was to have widespread community participation in detecting invasive species. He sought funding to develop an online system to help the public easily report invasive species. The benefit would be two-fold: promoting awareness of harmful plants and animals pests in Hawaiʻi, and stopping high priority pests from becoming established.

Loope found agreement and funding. He and other resource managers began making plans for what would become the 643PEST.org online reporting system. This online system would complement a statewide phone hotline, 643-PEST (7378), implemented by the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture.

Elizabeth Speith was the first report facilitator, hired in 2005, and still fields online submissions. With statewide input and support, she’s helped develop the program from its earliest stages to the recognized and effective program it is today. “You can contact the 643PEST system and know your report will go to specialists to be reviewed,” says Speith.

How does it work? Any report of an unknown or concerning plant or animal goes to report facilitators to first identify and determine if it’s actionable (incipient or too widespread) and if it needs an immediate response, e.g., a snake or skunk. “Every island is unique,” explains Speith, “both in the species introduced and the roles and organizations available to respond.”

The mongoose is an opportunistic predator — The mongoose is widespread on all islands in Hawai’i except for Lānaʻi and Kauaʻi. Community reports on Lānaʻi and Kauaʻi trigger crews out searching for the invasive predator.

A plant or animal new or in low numbers on one island may be too widespread to stop on another one. Case in point: the mongoose, an introduced predator that dines on the eggs and hatchlings of ground-nesting seabirds, is widespread on all islands save for Lānaʻi and Kauaʻi. A report of mongoose on those islands would launch crews to look for and remove the pest; but a sighting on Maui, where the stubby-legged carnivore is commonplace, would generate a more limited response: identification and information. Regardless of the eventual outcome, reporters will learn the identity, information about the impacts, and resources on how to control the pest.

If the report requires on-the-ground action, Speith and other assessors will contact the appropriate response agency. The kuleana (responsibility) may depend on the pest’s location. Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is decimating ʻōhiʻa trees on Hawaiʻi Island but is not currently present on Maui. If an alert Maui resident reported a suspected ROD-affected tree in their backyard, it would be passed on to the Maui Invasive Species Committee who would collect a sample for analysis and testing but a suspect tree along a State trail would go to Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR). The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture would respond to any instances of shipping ʻōhiʻa material – logs, firewood, or foliage– from another island (in violation of a quarantine). Rather than asking people to navigate the maze of agencies, concerned citizen scientists have the support of the 643PEST system to shepherd reports to the right responder.

The program has had an impact: in 2020 alone, the 643PEST online system logged nearly 550 reports. Though many reports are of common species, 16% of all reports made to 643PEST.org since 2005 have been for high-priority pests actively managed. Sometimes, a report has stopped a pest in its tracks. In 2013, a Kauaʻi resident reported a strange lizard to the 643PEST system, leading to the first capture and subsequent eradication of the invasive Jackson’s chameleon from the Island.

Another example of a pest widespread on some islands yet not present on others is the Jackson’s chameleon. Thanks to an alert Kaua’i resident, Jackson’s chameleons were removed on Kaua’i before they could threaten native snails found there. Photo courtesy of 643PEST.org

Today, the 643PEST.org report system is under DLNR as a project of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council. Experts from the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Bishop Museum, University of Hawaiʻi, and Invasive Species Committees help identify and review reports. The free 643PEST app makes it even easier to help protect Hawaiʻi from invasive species.

Look around your yard and neighborhood. If you see an unusual new pest, report it, and help stop the spread of invasive pests on Maui and elsewhere in the islands. Check out the 643-PEST.org website or contact your local Invasive Species Committee.

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 February 13th as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Evolutionary oddities: giant flightless ducks roamed Maui, grazing like buffalo and spreading seeds

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

As tall as a toddler, the flightless moa-nalo lived in Hawaiʻi for over 3 million years.

For millennia, before humans ever set foot on Hawaiʻi, birds ruled the islands. From mountain top to shoreline, the feathered filled the forests, grasslands, wetlands, and shorelines. As the predominant animal of islands that lacked the land-dwelling reptiles (only sea turtles) and mammals (only bats) found elsewhere, birds adapted to fill a range of ecological roles. They were pollinators, predators and scavengers, seed dispersers, fertilizers, and even the grazers on the landscape shaping the ecology and being shaped by geography and isolation.

Take the moa-nalo or “lost fowl,” named as they are only known from fossils found in caves and dunes. Moa-nalo are a group of flightless birds that lived in Hawaiʻi for over 3 million years until humans arrived. They had large massive turtle-like beaks, complete with teeth. Some species were as tall as a toddler and weighed up to 15 pounds. Forest dwellers, they were the grazers of the landscape, like the buffalo or deer of the mainland, they used their oversized beaks to tear at leaves and spent their lives munching the understory plants and ferns.

Moa-nalo wandered the islands of Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, and Maui Nui but are not known from Hawaiʻi Island. On Maui, there are two species known from fossils found in caves: the Maui-Nui moa-nalo, the largest species in the Islands, and the Stumbling moa-nalo, a species that lived in the mountains

The ancestors of the moa-nalo were dabbling ducks (ducks that feed on the surface of freshwater) that colonized the islands around 3.6 million years ago. At that time, the island of Oʻahu was the youngest in the chain, with Maui Nui and Hawaiʻi Island yet to be formed. As the Pacific Plate moved northwest, Maui Nui – first Molokai, then Lanaʻi, Kahoʻolawe, and then Maui began forming. Exactly when and how giant flightless ducks reached Maui Nui, or whether they evolved to be flightless after they arrived is unknown. At that time, sea level was lower and wetlands were prominent on the landscape of Maui Nui, attracting birds as they do today. Flightlessness could have been an advantage for the ancient birds, transferring energy reserves from powering wings to walking to take advantage of a plentiful plant resource, underutilized as there were no other grazing animals around.

Though most plants in Hawaiʻi do not have thorns, many species of *Cyanea* (hāhā) like this *Cyanea duvalliorum* from Makawao Forest Reserve bear formidable-looking defenses. Scientists suspect that the presence of moa-nalo influenced the evolution of these plants’ defenses. Birds have been a critical force in shaping the ecology of the Hawaiian Islands. Photo courtesy of Forest & Kim Starr

Many of the plants that are endemic to Hawaiʻi (found here and nowhere else) lack the chemicals and thorns that their ancestors may have had to deter grazing animals – take for example the ʻākala, the Hawaiian raspberry, with only hair-like thorns when compared to a related invasive blackberry. But giant grazing ducks may have spurred some plants to defend themselves. Thirteen of the 20 species of hāhā (Cyanea) native to the islands have prickly fern-like leaves, though only when the plants are young and within about four feet of the ground – the reach of the moa-nalo. As the plants grow taller and out of the reach of the grazers, the leaves are full and spineless.

Though plants may have evolved defenses from moa-nalo, these oversized flightless, ground-nesting birds were one of the first species to disappear when humans reached the islands – likely as meals for humans and the animals that came with them—rats, pigs, and dogs. The moa-nalo are among 77 species of Hawaiian birds that have become extinct in the last 700 years, thanks to invasive species, disease, and habitat loss.

There are still rare and unique bird species left in Hawaiʻi – forest birds, shorebirds, and seabirds that are both amazing in their own right and serve critical roles in ecosystem processes. Heroic efforts protect the remaining species. Here on Maui, many projects work to protect bird populations and nesting habitat through research and restoration. Among them are the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project, Maui Nui Seabird Recovery Project, Maui Bird Conservation Center, Kanahā Pond State Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. If you would like to learn more about birds in Hawaiʻi and efforts to protect them, consider volunteering with one of these organizations.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on January 11, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Earthworms: an invasive species underfoot in Hawai’i

Posted on March 24, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

Invasive earthworms support other invasive species: As pigs dig for roots and grubs, they rototill the soil. Disturbance and bare soil creates gaps in the forest floor opening it up for invasive plants and water that pools in these pits supports mosquito populations that spread diseases to native birds. Photo courtesy of East Maui Watershed Partnership

If you garden, you’ve gained an appreciation for the relationship between soil and plant health. From soil pH to mineral content or drainage there are countless indicators of soil quality and one size doesn’t fit all; the right soil for a cactus won’t support a lily. As with climate, rainfall, and temperature, soil type and composition plays a key role in determining what grows where and if it will thrive.

Gardeners look to earthworms as an indicator of soil aeration and they’re often thought of as a beneficial critter, but earthworms, introduced to Hawaiʻi, don’t necessarily benefit the plants that evolved in Hawaiʻi.

Earthworms were among the first living creatures on earth, predating dinosaurs. Until relatively recently – when people began moving plants and soil great distances—worms remained in the warmer regions of the continents where they had been for billions of years, breaking down organic matter, aerating the soil, and living their fossil-like existence, engineering the soil to support the surrounding ecosystem.

The Hawaiian Islands have an entirely different, and earthworm-less, evolutionary history: the islands are geologically young, arriving in the middle of the Pacific long after dinosaurs had come and gone. The plants that evolved for life in Hawaiʻi are adapted to grow in iron-rich volcanic soils free of worms; for millions of years, the work of decomposition was done, slowly, by leaf-shredding insects, springtails, fungi, bacteria, and the native kāhuli snails.

So, when earthworms arrived, thanks to people, they started to change the soil. We don’t know when they arrived, but the first earthworms in Hawaiʻi were collected in 1896. They’ve nonetheless successfully spread throughout Hawaiʻi, both with the help of humans and gradually moving from gardens and homes thought the soil. Stephanie Joe, Alien Invertebrate Research Specialist with the Oʻahu Army Natural Resource Program wanted to research the impacts of earthworms in Hawaiʻi but couldn’t find any forested areas that lacked earthworms, from the summit of Puu Kukui on West Maui to isolated kipukas (pockets of vegetated land surrounded by newer lava flows) on Hawaiʻi Island.”

“Given that we don’t have a place without earthworms in Hawaiʻi, it’s hard to quantify the impacts, but it’s not good–earthworms are definitely changing the forest floor,” says Joe.

Earthworms are not native to the parts of the continental mainland that were covered in glaciers. Researchers look at the earthworm invasion front in temperate forests in Canada and the northern United States comparing areas that do not have earthworms to those that do. They have found a correlation between invasive worms and invasive plants – in particular, grasses, suggesting that worms – known ecosystem engineers – are creating conditions that favor invasive plants.

Earthworms, introduced to sections of North America as well, have dramatic impacts on forests. Earthworms are present in the soil on the right side of the picture, but not the left. Photo courtesy of Great Lakes Worm Watch

The little research on earthworms in Hawaiʻi has found that they alter nutrient cycling, increasing nitrogen content in the soil by breaking down plant matter. In other experiments, researchers have shown that additional nitrogen increases the growth of invasive plants in Hawaiʻi.

There is also evidence that earthworms support feral pigs in Hawaiʻi.

Earthworms are food for wild pigs and in search of dinner, pigs will dig up acres of the rain forest. For his graduate research, Nathaniel Wehr, looked at the relationship between soil macroinvertebrates (animals lack a backbone) and pigs. He compared pig-free sections of rainforest in Volcanoes National Park to sites where pigs were still present. There are more worms where pigs are present, and he detected particularly high numbers of worms where pigs had been rooting in the dirt. Wehr suspects the reason is not necessarily because pigs are good at finding worms, but because pigs aerate the soil and press organic material into it – conditions that worms favor. The pigs then cycle back to find more worms. “It’s termed invasional meltdown,” he explains. “Pigs and worms interact to create a constant cycle, ultimately benefiting each other.”

Feral pigs knock over tree ferns, opening up gaps in the forest structure that allow for invasive plants to find a foothold.

Given how widespread they are, nothing can be done on a landscape scale to address earthworms in Hawaiʻi. They may be good in gardens and compost piles, but the presence of worms in Hawaiʻi has altered the ecosystem forever. Preventing impacts from species yet to arrive and spread in the state is critical. Find out more about efforts to increase biosecurity by looking at the Hawaiʻi Interagency Biosecurity Plan: dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/plans/hibp/. The Great Lakes Worm Watch website is a good resource for information about the impacts of invasive earthworms.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on February 8, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Two-lined spittlebug: A threat to Hawaiʻi’s ranches, watersheds

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

In 2016, a rancher on Hawaiʻi Island saw a large swath of his green pastures quickly turn brown. Surveys revealed a new invasive pest and even more damage: the two-lined spittlebug (Prosapia bicincta) had already decimated 2,000 acres of his land in the Kona area. Over the last four years, the infestation has expanded across 175,000 acres of rangeland – an area nearly half the size of Oʻahu.

At this rate, the voracious bug is consuming 35,000 acres of pasture land each year. Maui ranchers are worried that the two-lined spittlebug will make it to our island and damage pastures here.

Adult two-lined spittle bugs are aptly names for the two bright orange lines on the adultʻs black wings. These tiny pests are causing a huge impact on Hawaiʻi Island ranchlands, consuming 35,000 acres of pastureland each year.

Native to the Eastern United States, the two-lined spittlebug is a recognized pest of pastures and turfgrass in North America and elsewhere in the world. Aptly named for the two bright orange lines on the adult’s black wings, the “spittle” part comes from the white frothy mass that young nymphs make by blowing bubbles out of their abdomen, creating a camouflage defense from predators. Mature two-lined spittlebugs have a deep red head, abdomen, and legs. Nearly a half-inch long, they are highly active, able to jump almost three inches high. The crop damage comes from the bug’s feeding habits. Spittlebugs are sap suckers – feeding primarily on grasses. The saliva of adults contains an enzyme that interferes with photosynthesis and can even kill grasses at the root.

Kikuyu is the dominant pasture grass in the state; about 70% of livestock production relies on this protein-rich food source. Even if this invader doesn’t kill the grass, it can reduce the overall nutritional value and palatability of kikuyu. Kikuyu grass benefits more than just cattle, helping to curb erosion of our watersheds and reduce coastal runoff. Jordan Jokiel, Vice President and Land Manager of Haleakalā Ranch says, “Even though it is not native, kikuyu is a great ally to conservation efforts and key in land stewardship. From grazing, to silviculture, to native reforestation efforts, kikuyu keeps down ecosystem altering weeds, not only in pastures but remnant native forests as well.” When kikuyu and other pasture grasses are weakened or reduced, invasive and cattle-toxic weeds such as blackberry, gorse, crofton weed, and fireweed can move in.

The saliva of the two-lined spittlebug contains an enzyme that kills grasses at the root. Since its discovery in 2016, it has destroyed more than 175,000 acres of rangeland on Hawaii island. When pasture grasses are weakened or reduced, invasive weeds can move in. — CTAHR photo

The crippling effects the two-lined spittlebug could have on the state’s $45 million-a-year cattle industry is a significant impact. It would also hinder efforts to increase food security by raising more meat locally. Although not yet on Maui, the fast-paced movement of this pest poses a serious threat. William Jacintho, a fourth-generation rancher and President of the Maui Cattlemen’s Association, says,

The potential impact of the spittlebug on Maui would be huge. With the rate of how it spreads, we’re like sitting targets, not knowing if or when it will hit.”

Prevention and early detection activities are key to stopping this pest from reaching Maui or finding it early when it can still be controlled. To help stop its spread on Hawaiʻi Island and prevent it from becoming established on other islands, the Natural Resources Conservation Service, Big Island Invasive Species Committee, Hawaiʻi Cattlemen’s Council, and the University of Hawaiʻi Extension Service established a working group for research and outreach. Franny Brewer, Big Island Invasive Species Committee Public Relations Specialist, urges the public, “Monitor your lawns and pasture areas and report large patches of dead grass that can’t be explained by environmental factors.” Brewer also encourages people to learn what the two-lined spittlebug looks like. “If you see one, trap it, and report it to 643-PEST immediately.” Jacintho also emphasizes good cleaning protocols to prevent inadvertent spread of the bug. “If you are in any pasture, make sure you clean your boots, equipment, and check your cars and bags. If you don’t have a reason to visit a pasture known to have the spittlebug, don’t go.”

The two-lined spittlebug is a new invasive pest threatening Hawaii’s pasture lands and cattle industry. The top image displays the prominent bright orange lines on the adults’ wings, while the bottom is a spittle mass formed by juvenile bugs for camouflage. If you find a two-lined spittlebug, trap it and call 643-PEST immediately. — CTAHR photo

Many new invasive pest species are reported by the public. We rely on the eyes and ears of our community to ensure the protection of our island home. For more information about this pest, visit: https://globalrangelands.org/state/hawaii

Serena Fukushima is the public relations and education specialist for the Maui Invasive Species Committee. She holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and a graduate degree in education from the University of Hawaii at Manoa. “Kia’i Moku, Guarding the Island” is written by the Maui Invasive Species Committee to provide information on protecting the island from invasive plants and animals that threaten our islands’ environment, economy and quality of life.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on January 9, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Don’t Let Hawaii Get Skunked: Preventing A Smelly Invader

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Hawaiʻi is the only state in the U.S. that is rabies-free. State law requires that dogs, cats and carnivores complete a quarantine before entering our islands to ensure that they don’t bring in this deadly virus. However, the process of keeping our rabies-free status has started to get a little smelly with the appearance of several recent hitchhikers.

Over the last three years, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA) Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) Inspectors successfully captured four skunks near the harbors and airports in Honolulu and Kahului. And citizens have reported other sightings: In May 2020, someone submitted a video to a social media site showing a skunk in Polipoli. At the end of January of this year, a skunk was filmed near the Costco Maui gas station. In both instances, HDOA PQB Inspectors immediately searched the surrounding areas, deployed traps, and conducted outreach to businesses and the general public, but have not caught anything to date.

Using a can of tuna and a cat trap from the Maui Humane Society, workers captured a skunk that was spotted at Kahului Harbor in Decembe 2020r. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo

There are no skunks in Hawaiʻi, outside what’s permitted to live at the zoo. Skunks are among the leading wild carriers of the rabies virus (other significant carriers are bats, raccoons, and foxes). This viral disease is transmitted through an animal’s bite, infecting mammal’s central nervous systems and ultimately causing disease in the brain and death. Vaccinations protect pets and domestic animals in the continental U.S., however, there are still cases of pet and human exposures. Each year in the U.S., hundreds of thousands of animals need to be placed under observation or tested for rabies, and between 30,000 to 60,000 people need to receive rabies post-exposure treatment.
In the continental U.S., skunks live in diverse desert, forest, and mountain ecosystems. They prefer open spaces to forage and are primarily nocturnal. Skunks are typically the size of a cat, and are famous for their foul-smelling defense mechanism to deter predators: well-developed scent glands and coordinated muscle control let them accurately aim their spray up to six feet away.

Although it is unknown how skunks snuck into Hawaiʻi, Fern Duvall, Native Ecosystems Protection and Management Maui Nui Program Manager of the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife, suspects that it’s all about location. “Since skunks prefer open spaces, they could be foraging around loading areas near shipping containers”, Duvall explains, “Since they’re nocturnal, they could seek shelter in a dark container and when the sun starts to rise, accidentally get locked in.” Duvall also mentions the danger of proximity of Maui feral cat colonies to points of entry if skunks were to get loose,

“Skunks could seek food at feral cat feeding stations nearby the harbor and Kanahā Wildlife Refuge. If a rabid skunk were to bite a feral cat, it would spread quickly, creating a serious health crisis for pets and humans alike.”

A rabid skunk could impact native wildlife as well. Hawaiʻi’s only two native land mammals are the Hawaiian Hoary Bat and Hawaiian Monk Seal. Since all mammals are susceptible to the rabies virus, this deadly disease can be transmitted to these species by a rabid animal. Even if not carrying the rabies virus, skunks could eat the eggs and chicks of ground-nesting native birds, some of which are endangered and found nowhere else in the world.

Officials continue to rely on the public to be the eyes and ears of our communities to report unusual animals such as skunks. Maui HDOA Master Journeyman Inspector, Marshall Loope, encourages the public to immediately report any skunk sightings. “If you think you see a skunk, please note an exact, detailed location of where you saw it. If it left any tracks in dirt or sand, take photos of that as well.” Loope cautions the public not to approach a skunk if sighted, “HDOA officials have extensive training and wear personal protective equipment when trapping or encountering any wild animal. If you see a skunk, do not approach or try to capture it. Instead, take a photo or video from a safe distance and report immediately.” If you see a skunk, or any unusual new pest, please report it to the Maui HDOA office by calling (808) 872-3848, going online to www.643pest.org, or calling (808) 643-PEST (7378).

This article was originally published in the Maui News on March 13, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Protect Hawai’i’s reefs by keeping boats clean

Posted on March 23, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

Near-shore reefs contain species found no where else in the world. Photo: DLNR-DAR

Over 1,000 ships enter Hawaiʻi’s ports and harbors every year. Coming from throughout the Pacific and Oceania, bringing cargo and vacationers to the islands. Below deck, they risk carrying stowaways – fragments of algae and other marine critters – on their hulls and in the ballast water. Moving throughout the world and between islands, boats inadvertently carry marine organisms from place to place. Some of these become invasive in their new habitat.

“Hawaiʻi has the most non-native aquatic species of any place in the United States,” says Jules Kuo, the Hawaiʻi Ballast Water and Hull Fouling Coordinator with the Department of Land and Natural Resources. She works with boat owners and captains of all types of boats from large shipping companies and cruise lines that move globally to recreational and fishing boats hopping between islands to keep new non-native species out and limit the spread within the state.

Hawaiʻi’s marine environment, like the terrestrial environment, evolved in relative isolation. The near-shore reefs glitter with colorful coral, fish, seahorses, urchins, and other creatures, some of which live nowhere else in the world.

Hawaiʻi has the highest rates of endemic marine species: 18% coral and roughly 20% of fish are found here and nowhere else. Important for tourism and residents alike, these reefs are threatened by an onslaught of species arriving from around the world. Once here, marine species can’t be fenced out or weeded.

New marine organisms can make it to Hawaiʻi either by clinging to the hull of a boat or carried in ballast water, seawater stored in tanks to provide stability. Warm temperatures and a lack of predators increases the likelihood that some species will grow unchecked and threaten reefs and human health. Researchers suspect at least one species of box jellyfish made it to Hawaiʻi as an undetected hitchhiker.

A 2014 study identified dirty hulls as the main pathway for non-native marine organisms arriving in Hawaiʻi. According to Kuo, within hours of being in the water, ship hulls begin to develop a slime layer as bacteria build up on the hull. The longer a ship sits, the more slime it will develop. Slime is a drag, literally; it increases friction and fuel costs. But from the perspective of invasive species risk, slime is a foothold for other marine life: algae, sponges, barnacles, clams, and more.

Microfouling – a build up of bacterial slime – begins to accumulate within hours. Slime increases fuel costs and acts as a foothold for other marine life. Photo: DLNR-DAR

One person for 1,000 ships means Kuo can’t personally inspect every boat bottom and ballast tank so she’s developed a priority setting matrix combining information about the ship’s port of origin, how long it was in port, and if species have been detected before to determine which boats to visit. She collects samples of ballast water and checks the hull for fouling, but most of her effort is spent working with captains and owners on the steps they can take to proactively prevent hull fouling and ballast water contamination: regularly cleaning the hull, using anti-fouling paint, and exchanging ballast water in the open sea, far from where algae and critters can be taken up.

A diver checks a reef monitoring structures in Kahului Harbor.

“Initial introductions most often happen with commercial vessels but recreational boats carry species throughout the state,” says Kuo For example, the Mycale armata sponge, a conspicuously bright orange sponge from Australia in a Kāneʻohe Bay and other harbors on Oʻahu has spread to Kahului Harbor. Kuo is trying to better understand what species are were introduced by installing autonomous reef monitoring structures (ARMS) in harbors statewide. The ARMS are PVC pipe attached to a plate that mimics coral habitat, Kuo then checks the stations every year to see what has shown up. She is also working with other states along the Pacific Ocean to provide education on simple steps recreational boaters can take to protect Hawaiʻi’s marine environment. These include:

Coat your boat: use an appropriate anti-fouling coating for your boat.
Clean before you go: removing any biofouling and slime layer before traveling will increase fuel efficiency and reduce the accidental spread of marine organisms. Include the hull, propellers, rudders, and intake.
Keep a logbook: this will help you maintain biofouling paint and maintenance schedules.

Find more information about Hawaiʻi’s Ballast Water and Biofouling program, check the Department of Land and Natural Resource’s website: dlnr.hawaii.gov/ais/ballastwaterbiofouling/biofouling/

This article was originally published in the Maui News on March 14, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Backyard efforts help protect Hawai’i

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

With stay-at-home orders in place, many of us are stretching our legs with a walk around the yard or neighborhood, perhaps seeing things with different eyes. Even if you are only in the backyard or on the lanai, now is an ideal time to explore and ask questions about the plants and animals that surround you.

Investigating surrounding sights and sounds can enhance your connection to the amazing place we call home. The simple exercise of paying attention to the call of a bird or identifying the plant growing at the edge of the yard or along the road can provide a respite from current stresses and anxieties. And it helps our environment.

Early detection – finding a plant or animal before it becomes widespread – is a key step in addressing invasive species. You don’t have to be a degree-holding botanist or entomologist to find these pests. Noticing what is different and asking questions can turn you into a backyard sleuth.

Many online resources can guide your inquiry. These activities can also become outdoor lessons if you happen to be sequestered with keiki. Some suggestions:

Do an ant survey. Early detection of little fire ants is critical to preventing our islands from becoming overrun with this pest. All you need is 45 minutes (mostly spent waiting for the ants to arrive) and (not much) peanut butter. Samples can be sent through the mail. Find a video online at more information at stoptheant.org.
Send the kids outside. If you have keiki, send them on a scavenger hunt to find plants and animals using Seek, an app by the website iNaturalist. Suitable for beginners young and old, Seek has image recognition software that can suggest species identifications.
Start with what interests you most. iNaturalist is a good overall resource. Accessible online (inaturlist.org) and as an app, this online community of citizen scientists and naturalists collaborates on species identifications for plants, animals, mushrooms, spiders, and more.
Get to know your backyard birds. If feathered friends fascinate you, check out eBird online (ebird.org) and the affiliated Merlin Bird ID app. You can find out what species are in your area. This citizen-science website is run by the experts at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and illustrated checklists and bird song recordings help you learn the birds of your backyard. Another Hawaiʻi-specific resource for bird song recordings is soundshawaiian.com
Turn over rocks. The Hawaiian Entomological Society has an excellent Facebook page where experts help the less entomologically oriented identify the strange 6-legged, 8-legged, and occasionally legless critters of our islands. Pay close attention to requirements about posting.
Test your plant knowledge. If you have some existing knowledge of plants, check your identifications against the Starr Environmental website (starrenvironmental.com). Organized by plant family, genus, and species, their thousands of photos can help you compare plant families and verify species identifications. The Hawaiʻi Plant ID group on Flickr allows you to submit a photo if you are still stumped.
Report pests: For observations from anywhere in the state, you can report plants or animals you suspect may be invasive. Find the pest reporting platform online and as an app: 643PEST.org

Backyard birders can find support online. Photo of a Red-billed leiothrix by Forest and Kim Starr

Becoming knowledgeable about the plants and animals in your own backyard or neighborhood is an important first step. Ask questions, seek advice, and test for questionable species. These actions can make a huge difference in slowing or stopping the spread of invasive species.

Even in these uncertain times, you can stay safe, stay home, and help protect the world around you.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on April 11, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Safe biological controls rely on specialized species

Posted on March 19, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

Living creatures can be grouped as specialists or generalists based on their strategies for finding food and habitat: generalists thrive in a variety of conditions and eat a range of foods; specialists rely on a particular environmental condition or a food type. For example, specialist species like koalas only eat eucalyptus leaves, Kamehameha caterpillars rely on māmaki, and our iconic ʻāhinahina (silverswords) are found only in high-elevation alpine environments in Hawaiʻi.

When researchers look for a biological control agent – another living species that can be used to reduce a pest – they look for specialist species. This is part of an approach that began over 40 years ago with the goal of reducing unintended impacts. It works. Since 1975, over 50 different biological control agents have been brought into Hawaiʻi. “There have been no unpredicted non-target impacts in that time,” says Darcy Oishi, the Biological Control Section Chief at the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture. He oversees the efforts to find, test, and release biological control in Hawaiʻi.

“We worry most about specificity,” says Oishi. Host-specificity, the relationship between the pest and the natural enemy, is the creed of modern biological control. By seeking out species that have evolved to be dependent on the target host, there is less risk that the natural enemy will have unintended consequences.

Wiliwili are endemic to the Hawaii Islands and are a keystone species in the dryland forest. Photo courtesy of Forest and Kim Starr

As new pests arrive in Hawaiʻi (and sometimes even before), the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture compiles lists of possible natural enemies, specialist species that could act to lessen the invasiveness and impacts of the pest in Hawaiʻi. Scientists comb through the scientific literature, call and visit natural history museums, and consult with entomologists and researchers worldwide, learning what species live in close association with the pest in its native habitat.

Exploratory entomologists then travel to the pest’s native range to collect candidates. Each potential natural enemy is studied further in its host range. After ruling out potential candidates, entomologists collect several species for additional testing.

Back in Hawaiʻi, the biological control agents are quarantined, raised and tested again for host specificity. In a process called no-choice testing, a potential agent is evaluated throughout its life stages to see if It will eat species it is likely to encounter in Hawaiʻi. For example, in introducing a biocontrol for a plant, the agent is isolated with other non-target plants to find out whether any unintended plants could be affected.

Researchers evaluate host specificity by looking at genetically related species as well as unrelated species that evolved similar characteristics to the target. For example, pasture-invading fireweed is in the aster family, but the phytoalkaloid – the toxic chemical that sickens animals – is what attracts one natural enemy, a caterpillar, to the plant. The caterpillar is tested to see if it can feed on related plants in the Aster family as well as those containing a similar toxic chemical.

Fireweed, *Senecio madagascarensis,* is a pasture invading pest that contains a chemical poisonous to horses and cattle. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr.

Until the 1970s, biocontrol agents were selected primarily based on the impact they would have on the pest, an approach that has unfortunately biased people against biological control today. Since then, though, rigorous selection and testing has gone into preventing unintended consequence. Another challenge is caused by misinformation; some invasive pests are inaccurately equated with biological control. For example, ʻōhiʻa rust, a leaf fungus that threatens our native ʻōhiʻa, decimated populations of rose apple, leading some to inaccurately assume it was an intentional introduction; instead, it was another of the thousands of unwanted pests that arrive in Hawaiʻi accidentally.

Modern biological control provides long-term, cost-effective, environmentally safe control of invasive species. It’s an essential tool in protecting Hawaiʻi from the impacts of widespread invasive species. Biological control does not eradicate a pest; it balances the equation to lessen the harm. The biological control for prickly pear cactus hasn’t eradicated it; the plant is still here, but instead of blanketing upcountry pastures it occurs in patches. Biological control saved the wiliwili trees of Hawaiʻi from decimation by a leaf gall wasp. The problem-causing wasp is still here but does less damage with the biological controls working to keep it contained.

Take time to learn more about biological control in Hawaiʻi and contribute to the decision-making process. Visit the Department of Land and Natural Resources biological control page at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/info/biocontrol/

This article was originally published in the Maui News on May 9, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Stopping both global pandemics and biological invasions requires flattening curves.

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

In 2002, an unusually large and strange-looking chameleon turned up in a remote area of West Maui. The resulting media attention led to the detection of a population of the same species in Makawao. These lizards weren’t the familiar Jackson’s chameleons but a new and different species: veiled chameleons. These invaders, illegally introduced to Hawaiʻi posed a threat to our endemic forest birds and snails. Staff from the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), Hawai’i Department of Agriculture and Department of Land and Natural Resources launched nighttime surveys, scouring the vegetation in the backyards of Makawao looking for these cryptic reptiles.

Veiled chameleons pose a risk to native birds in Hawaii. Thanks to community reports, these tree-dwelling arboreal predators were detected early and have efforts to eradicate them have proven effective. “Veileds” can be recognized by the shark-fin shaped casque on their head. MISC file photo.

During initial searches, the teams found chameleons quickly: they were distinctive, larger than their horned cousins and sporting a “shark fin” head, and clung to tree branches as they slept. The community helped by allowing searchers into their backyards and finding and turning in chameleons themselves.

In 2003, search crews and residents captured a total of 102 lizards, but over time, the numbers steadily declined. From multiple chameleons per night, searchers started to find only one or two per week. Then came months when crews came back from a week of searching without seeing a single chameleon. Searchers counted Jackson’s chameleons to stay focused on their task. As numbers continued to drop, the time between searches increased. The last capture was in 2008. In 2012, after a final search and outreach to the community, the agencies agreed: veiled chameleons had been eradicated from all known locations on Maui. Addressing the threat early, with community cooperation, prevented this species’ spread into new areas, including higher-elevation rainforests, the last habitat for our native birds and snails.

Both the language and processes used to stop an invasive species before it becomes widespread mirror the terms used to address a contagious and serious disease outbreak. As the COVID-19 pandemic spread worldwide and governments implemented social distancing measures, Jane Mangold, an invasive plant specialist at Montana State University, considered the similarities:

“One of the most obvious parallels is the importance of prevention, early detection, and rapid response. ‘Flattening the curve’ has been stated repeatedly by experts keeping us informed about the pandemic; the rationale behind this phrase is that by slowing the spread of the disease, medical providers will have more time and resources to treat those in need, and ultimately save more lives,” Mangold said.

Initially, reducing the spread of the chameleons was costly: routinely searching every few weeks to find chameleons faster than they could spread. So too for COVID-19, after months of social distancing and substantial economic impacts, the number of new cases has dropped and the curve has flattened. There are other parallels between controlling the spread of human disease and pests.

Addressing biological invasions early prevents later impacts.

Those last few chameleons were likely the most time-consuming and expensive to remove, but if crews hadn’t captured them, the population could have rebounded. Working past the frustration and searcher fatigue to find the few remaining individuals was critical to achieving eradication. While eliminating a small population of lizards is not readily comparable to addressing and suppressing a global health pandemic, similar elements lead to success: widespread cooperation, diligence, and commitment to seeing the effort through the long tail of the curve a resolution. And, of course, for both the chameleon and COVID-19, local reintroduction remains a possibility.

We can all do our part to maintain vigilance. And if you happen to see a strange chameleon with a shark-fin on its head while you are at home, report it to MISC at 573-6472 or through 643PEST.org. Anyone can turn in veiled chameleons and other illegally owned reptiles through the state Department of Agriculture’s amnesty program.

Learn more about the veiled chameleon at dlnr.hawaii.gov/ hisc/info/invasive-species-profiles/veiled-chameleon/.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on June 13, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

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Native plant firebreaks may be a tool to control wildfires

Posted on March 18, 2021 by Lissa Strohecker

A few hundred feet from the traffic of North Kīhei road, native dragonflies swoop and dive, snatching their food mid-flight. The endangered aeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) and ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot) probe the mud and vegetation for small shrimp while an ʻaukuʻu (black-crowned night heron) stalks fish for dinner. The coastal strand, salt marsh, and wetlands at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge are thriving, thanks to the hard work of dedicated staff and volunteers who remove invasive plants, fence out feral animals, and plant native species in this 700-acre refuge. But decades of protection and restoration efforts almost disappeared in a puff of smoke.

In July 2019, 25,000 acres of central Maui burned in a series of brushfires that shut down roads and isolated communities as firefighters and helicopters worked through the night to put out the blaze. The flames burned right up to the edge of the Refuge, singeing trees.

Fire poses one of the greatest threats to restoration projects, particularly in dry, arid environments like South Maui. Hawaiian ecosystems and native flora are not adapted to fires – which are mostly human-caused. Invasive plants, such as fountain grass (Cenchrus setaceum), can fuel fire cycles by growing quickly and leaving behind piles of dry biomass, then germinating rapidly after a wildfire. Nonnative buffel grass and red top natal grass serve as kindling on Maui. With global warming, drought periods are predicted to become more common, fostering the conditions in which fires start and spread.

Fountain grass, a fire-adapted invader, fuels wildfires. Planting bands of native species that are resistant to a fountain grass invasion can help mitigate wildfires. Photo by Forest and Kim Starr.

Researchers are testing strategies in Hawaiʻi to limit the spread of wildfires in areas dominated by fire-promoting grasses. Green fire breaks – strategically planted strips of vegetation — have been effectively used in the continental U.S. as a complement to traditional firefighting methods. Water-rich and inflammable plants can help deprive wildfires of fuel, while also serving as habitat for other native species and a seed source for restoration projects.

“Greenstrips planted with natives can give added value to conservation areas,” explains Susan Cordell, a research ecologist with the US Forest Service and director of the Pacific Fire Exchange, is exploring how this technique can be used in Hawaiʻi with some of the native plant species used in dryland restoration. She evaluated several different species for their flammability and resistance to invasion – looking for ones that won’t allow fire-promoting grasses like fountain grass to take over. Her findings are offering restoration programs a host of options for the use of green fire-breaks.

ʻĀweoweo (Chenopodium oahuensis), a low-growing shrubby plant with a high-water content, stood out for its lack of flammability and resistance to invasion from fountain grass. The small glossy-leaved naio (Myoporum sandwicense) was also a contender due to its inflammability

“This isn’t a silver bullet,” cautions Cordell. “It’s just one tool in the tool-box.”

Bands of native shrubs could add a protective ring around the birds and their habitat at Keālia Ponds.

On Hawaii Island, Cordell and her team evaluated native plants’ suitability for use as a firebreak based on their resistance to invasion and lack of flammability. Photo courtesy of Susan Cordell.

Expand your knowledge about wildfires in the Hawaiian Islands: www.pacificfireexchange.org/hawaii. Learn more about Keālia Ponds National Wildlife Refuge: www.fws.gov/refuge/Kealia_Pond/.

Explore volunteer opportunities on the Refuge by contacting Keālia Pond NWR Visitor Services Manager, Courtney Brown at courtney_brown@fws.gov.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on July 11, 2020 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Read more Kiaʻi Moku articles

643PEST simplifies reporting invasive species throughout Hawai’i

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Two-lined spittlebug: A threat to Hawaiʻi’s ranches, watersheds

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Protect Hawai’i’s reefs by keeping boats clean

Backyard efforts help protect Hawai’i

Safe biological controls rely on specialized species

Stopping both global pandemics and biological invasions requires flattening curves.

Native plant firebreaks may be a tool to control wildfires

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