News — Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

Maui Invasive Species Committee Hosts Teacher Development Workshop Over Fall Break

Posted on September 1, 2022 by Serena Fukushima

Click Here To Register For The Fall 2022 Workshop!

The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) is holding a teacher development workshop for K-12 teachers and environmental educators on October 6th and 7th, featuring the place-based Hōʻike o Haleakalā curriculum. The curriculum features multi-disciplinary science lessons rooted in Hawai’i and is designed to engage students in the study of the unique ecosystems of our islands. The classroom portion of the workshop will begin on Thursday, October 6, 2022, at the Maui Invasive Species Committee’s Baseyard at Old Maui High School. It will cover lessons from the curriculum’s Alpine/Aeolian, Rainforest, and Coastal Modules; engage participants in hands-on activities from the curriculum, and feature guest speakers from Haleakalā National Park, The Nature Conservancy of Hawaiʻi, and the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Participants will then attend a huakaʻi (field trip) to The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve the following day. Waikamoi Preserve is one of Hawaiʻi’s last remaining native ecosystems and provides an important sanctuary for hundreds of native Hawaiian plants and animals, many of which are endangered. The Preserve also protects part of the 100,000-acre East Maui Watershed, which provides 60 billion gallons of clean water annually to Maui’s residents, businesses, and agricultural community. Teacher workshop participants will embark on an educational guided hike on the Preserve’s boardwalk trail, which is only accessible by reservation for guided hikes, educational trips, and research opportunities.

The registration fee for the two-day workshop is $45.00. Lunch is provided on both days, and all participants will receive tools and resources after the workshop to use in their classrooms to help students learn more about Hawaii’s natural world.

Teacher workshop participants in 2019 embark on a guided educational hike through The Nature Conservancy’s Waikamoi Preserve. MISC’s two-day workshop in October will feature a huakaʻi to the Preserve, along with lessons about Hawaiʻi’s watersheds, invasive species, and Haleakalā’s ecology for teachers to utilize back in the classroom. Registration is open until September 14th. Photo: MISC

To learn more and register, click this link. All registration forms, waivers, and registration fees must be received by September 14, 2022. For questions, please contact Serena Fukushima, MISC Public Relations and Education Specialist, at (808) 344-2756 or miscpr@hawaii.edu.

Plant a Wish founders receive 2017 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Posted on June 20, 2017 by Lissa Strohecker

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.

Sara Tekula and Joseph Imhoff were the 2017 recipients of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award, presented June 17th in a ceremony at the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals’ Maui Garden Expo held at the Maui Mall.

The annual award recognizes an individual or business working within the landscape or agricultural community to keep invasive species out of Maui County. It is sponsored by the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, the County of Maui, and the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Joe Imhoff, Sara Tekula, and their son Henry. Photo by Bryan Berkowitz/Maui Invasive Species Committee

Tekula and Imhoff are co-founders of “Plant a Wish,” a Maui-based native tree planting and stewardship project. Their mission is to encourage people to plant trees indigenous to the places they live and in doing so, bring communities together.

Plant a Wish began when Tekula and Imhoff married in 2007. At their wedding they asked friends to write down

wishes for them on slips of paper and deposit them into the earth. There, they planted a tree — in Upper Kula.

This one act grew into a project – people asked them to plant a wish tree for baby showers and birthdays. They began growing and promoting native trees as alternatives to importing Christmas trees on Maui, and then they decided to plant trees in all 50 states — species native to each place. They spread the word about their work as they traveled, explaining what has happened in Hawaii and how it is a microcosm for the rest of the world. They have become messengers in our community and across the United States about the importance of using native species.

“We believe that each individual has the power to make a difference,” said Imhoff in his acceptance speech. “We want to inspire others.”

“What is special about their story is that neither Joe nor Sara had any formal background in conservation. They learned of a need, developed a passion for protecting the place they love, and took action,” said Teya Penniman, presenting the award on behalf of the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Outside of their Plant-a-Wish project, Tekula works as the communications and outreach director for The Merwin Conservancy, home to one of the most extensive palm collections in the world, and Imhoff is the program manager for Skyline Eco-Adventures conservation initiative.

Award presenters included Allison Wright from the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals and Jeremiah Savage for the County of Maui.

The award featured a sculpture of an ʻōlapa, a tree native to the rainforests of Hawaiʻi, by artist Jupiter Nielsen (http://jupiternielsenflameworking.com/).

This year’s commemorative plaque featured a glass sculpture of an olapa branch, a native tree found in the rainforests of Hawai’i, by local artist Jupiter Nielsen.

Adam Radford Named New Manager of MISC

Posted on June 30, 2016 by Lissa Strohecker

Adam Radford, the new manager of MISC, brings a breadth of skills and expertise to the position.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) announced the hire of new manager Adam Radford, who assumes the helm on July 1. Radford has been with MISC since 2005, serving as its operations manager since 2010. He earned his undergraduate degree at UH Manoa and a master’s in natural resource management from California State University at Chico. Radford was a Ka Ipu Kukui fellow in 2013 and chaired the Maui Conservation Alliance during its recent strategic planning initiative. He will oversee all field and outreach activities for Maui and provide administrative oversight for the Molokai Invasive Species Committee, while working to ensure financial support for the projects.

Teya Penniman is taking a new position focused on special projects and developing a private donor program for MISC and other conservation projects.

MISC Chair Lloyd Loope says Radford brings a unique breadth of skills and expertise to the position. “Adam has real-world experience managing complex operations. He’s trained scores of conservation workers in safe rappelling techniques and developed successful approaches to some of Maui’s most challenging invasive species problems. He’s recognized as a conservation leader both locally and statewide and was tapped to develop an invasive species inventory strategy for the Republic of Palau’s protected area network.” Loope also highlighted Radford’s experience with grant writing and public speaking.

Radford replaces outgoing manager Teya Penniman who has led MISC since 2002. During Penniman’s tenure, MISC grew from a staff of 11 to more than 30, while responding to new threats such as little fire ants. She has taken a new position focused on special projects and developing a private donor program for MISC and other conservation projects. Penniman also lauded Radford for his work. “Adam has been the architect behind our ground and air operations for more than a decade and is a respected leader
among field staff, partners, and the community. I couldn’t be more pleased to hand over the reins to someone of his caliber and dedication. It’s a new era for MISC.”

MISC is a project of the University of Hawaii’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. Trained staff on Maui and Molokai work to protect the islands’ environment, economy, agriculture and quality of life from the most harmful invasive species. The project relies on public, private and nonprofit funding. Key funders include Maui County, Hawaii Invasive Species Council, National Park Service and U.S. Forest Service.

Fire! Little Fire Ants in Hawaii

Posted on February 17, 2016 by Lissa Strohecker

Little fire ants are spreading throughout the state.

First introduced to Puna in 1999, and shortly thereafter to Kaua’i, these ants are one of the worst invasive species imaginable in Hawai’i. They invade houses, gardens, and forests. The ants are also arboreal; they swarm up plants and trees. When disturbed, they drop off, falling onto people and animals. Unsuspecting victims are left with painful stings.

Until recently, little fire ants were limited primarily to Hawai’i Island but as infestations have grown there, so has inevitability of their spread.

In January of 2014 little fire ants were detected on Oʻahu, leading to a multi-agency response resulting in containment and eradication. These tiny pests have hitchhiked to Maui and Lānaʻi as well. Meanwhile, Hawaiʻi Island residents are faced with creating sanctuaries amidst a sea of stinging ants.

This 30 minute documentary examines the spread of the little fire ant and the people who work to address one of the most significant invasive species problems confronting the Islands.

Funding support for this video was provided in part by the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council.

Flower grower who detected little fire ant in December 2013 receives award

Posted on June 25, 2014 by Lissa Strohecker

Masako Cordray, 2014 Malama i ka Aina Award Winner

Farmer and flower grower Masako Cordray was the 2014 recipient of the Malama i ka Aina Award, presented Saturday June 14th in a ceremony at the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals’ Lawn and Garden Fair held at the Maui Mall.

The person nominating her said “Masako’s passion for land stewardship extends beyond the boundaries of the land she farms to the entire island.

On December 23, 2013, Cordray tested plant material she had recently purchased for little fire ants. After finding small orange ants on peanut-butter coated sticks she contacted MISC. Confirmation of the detection by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture set off a chain of events that resulted in the discovery of little fire ants at other garden shops and nurseries on Maui and Oahu and has sparked a statewide response “The 45 minutes she took to sample plant material has had immeasurable consequences. This is truly an example of the contributions one person can make” said MISC manager Teya Penniman.

Cordray has influenced invasive species prevention efforts for many years. She was part of grass roots efforts to incorporate an improved biosecurity facility when the Kahului airport was being expanded–actions that led to the completion of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s state of the art inspection facility completed in 2007. In addition to being a farmer, Cordray is an award-winning photographer and videographer and donated much of her time to helping educate the public about invasive species. She worked to create a film about miconia in 2006 and when little fire ants were discovered on Maui n 2009, she approached MISC about creating a film about this devastating species. A true artist, her attention to detail and uncompromising standards are evident in the quality of her work, both

(L-R) Allison Wright, MALP; Masako Cordray; Teya Penniman, MISC; Rob Parsons, County of Maui. MISC file photo

in her photographs and floral arrangements.

The Malama i ka Aina Award is presented annually to recognize an individual or business working within the landscape or agricultural community to keep invasive species out of Maui County. The award is sponsored by the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals (MALP), the County of Maui, and the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC).
This year’s award featured a glass sculpture of an endemic Hawaiian damselfly, or pinao, by local artist Jupiter Nielsen. Award presenters were MALP Vice-President Allison Wright, Maui County Environmental Coordinator Rob Parsons, and Penniman.

Press Release – 2014 MIKA awardee Masako Cordray_final

Nominations now being accepted for the Malama i ka Aina Award

Posted on April 22, 2014 by Lissa Strohecker

Christina Chang of Lokelani Ohana, a farm in Waihee, Maui, accepts the Malama i ka Aina Award. Presenters from left to right are Teya Penniman of MISC, Cas Vanderwoude of the Hawaii Ant Lab. and Rob Parsons with the County of Maui. Chang was recognized for her efforts to stop the spread of the little fire ant on Maui.

Do you know a landscape professional making a significant effort to stop the spread of invasive species in Maui County?

Nominations are now being accepted to honor efforts 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 award will be presented June 14th at the Maui Association of Landscape Professional’s Lawn & Garden Fair at the Maui Mall.

Nominations are due May 30th, 2014. Nominations (form available through this link:2014 Malama i ka Aina award-on-line fillable nomination) can be submitted via email to miscpr@hawaii.edu, through regular mail, MISC, PO Box 983, Makawao HI 96768, or faxed in: 808.573.-6475

Please call the Maui Invasive Species Committee if you have any questions, 808.573.6472.