Uncategorized — Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

The race to protect Hawaii’s native forest birds from extinction

Posted on February 13, 2023 by Serena Fukushima

The upland realm of wao akua captivates all senses. Freshwater percolates into the earth, perfuming the cool air, and hues of greens and pops of red lehua delight the eyes, but the sound of its most charismatic denizens – the forest birds – is unique in all the world. These jewels of our rainforests – the honeycreepers – once had 54 different species. Today, only 17 remain, and some, like the kiwikiu, have fewer than 200 individual birds. Their plight is mainly due to a sound out of place in a Hawaiian forest – the buzz of a mosquito.

Hawaiian honeycreepers are an integral part of native ecosystems and Hawaiian culture. Some birds, like the ʻiʻiwi (left), developed long, curved bills to sip nectar out of crescent-shaped flowers, which both feed the bird and pollinate the plant. Kiwikiu (middle), developed sturdy beaks to snatch insects from tree bark. The ʻākohekohe (right) is Maui’s largest honeycreeper and has a feather duster tuft on its forehead to help aid in forest pollination. — James Petruzzi, John Crawley, Jim Denny photos (from left)

Hawaiian honeycreepers evolved from one common finch ancestor millions of years ago. Some birds, like the ʻiʻiwi, developed long, curved bills to sip nectar out of bell-shaped blossoms, filling their bellies while pollinating the flowers of the forest. Others, like the kiwikiu, developed sturdy beaks to snatch insects from tree bark. The ʻākohekohe, one of the largest honeycreepers, has a feather duster tuft on its forehead and helps spread pollen as it flits from tree to tree. An integral part of native ecosystems, forest birds are important to Hawaiian culture. Kia manu (bird catchers) plucked vermillion and honey-colored feathers for the lei, helmets, and cloaks of Hawaiian royalty. ʻŌlelo noʻeau (Hawaiian proverbs) reference birds in describing love, gossip, industriousness, and beauty. “He kumu lehua muimuia i ka manu,” means an ohia in full bloom attracts forest birds, as an attractive person will bring attention from others.

With the arrival of humans to the Hawaiian archipelago came invasive predators like rats for which native birds had no defense. But the greatest impact on native birds in recent history has been mosquito-borne diseases, primarily avian malaria and avian pox. Out of the 17 honeycreepers that remain, majority are federally endangered or threatened. Kiwikiu and ʻākohekohe populations have decreased by more than 70 percent over the last 20 years. Scientists predict their extinction in two to fifteen years if no action is taken to control mosquitoes in the forest.

A warming climate is allowing mosquitos to now reach high-elevation forest bird habitat. The southern house mosquito is the primary vector of avian malaria and has a 100% transmission rate. Some birds are particularly at risk – just one bite from an infected mosquito can mean death for a vulnerable forest bird. (Photo: Jack Jeffrey)

Mosquitoes, and the diseases they transmit, don’t thrive in colder environments and have historically been restricted to warmer, lower elevations. Unfortunately, a warming climate is allowing these pests to reach high-elevation forest bird habitat, the last refugia. The southern house mosquito is the primary vector of avian malaria and has a 100% transmission rate. Some birds are particularly at risk – just one bite from an infected mosquito can mean death for a vulnerable forest bird.

The southern house mosquito is the primary vector of avian malaria and has a 100% transmission rate. Some birds are particularly at risk – just one bite from an infected mosquito can mean death for a vulnerable forest bird.

The multi-agency Birds, Not Mosquitoes Project is urgently working to save our native honeycreepers from extinction. They have been exploring use of a naturally-occurring bacteria that is present in over half of all insect species worldwide, including many in Hawaiʻi. This bacteria, called Wolbachia, affects mosquito reproduction. Luka Zavas, Outreach Manager with the American Bird Conservancy, one of the agencies involved in the project, explains how it works. “When male and female mosquitoes have matching Wolbachia strains, the sperm and egg are like connecting puzzle pieces that result in fertile eggs. When a male mosquito has a different, incompatible strain than its female mate, their puzzle pieces won’t match, resulting in infertile eggs.”

Wolbachia is a naturally occurring bacteria present in over half of all insect species worldwide, including many in Hawaii, and can be critical to saving Hawaii’s last forest birds. When male and female mosquitoes have matching Wolbachia strains, the sperm and egg are like connecting puzzle pieces that result in fertile eggs. When a male mosquito has a different, incompatible strain than its female mate, their puzzle pieces won’t match, resulting in infertile eggs. — BIRDS, NOT MOSQUITOES PROJECT photo

Researchers hope to save our honeycreepers by raising and releasing male mosquitoes with an incompatible strain of Wolbachia, Swamping the dating pool with unproductive males effectively puts wild mosquito populations on birth control. Repeated releases over time suppress the overall population of mosquitoes and reduce the transmission of avian malaria, with the goal of giving our Hawaiian honeycreepers a fighting chance for survival.

Those working on the project stress that male mosquitoes don’t bite, Wolbachia doesn’t harm people, animals, or the environment, and the process doesn’t modify any genes. The same technique is used elsewhere in the world to control mosquitoes that transmit human malaria.

On Maui, approximately 64,000 acres of federal, state, and privately-managed lands have been identified as a proposed project area for the release of incompatible male mosquitoes. Environmental Assessments prepared for the state and Haleakalā National Park outline the proposed release strategy as well as plans for monitoring mosquito and bird populations to track progress.

For more information on the project, visit birdsnotmosquitoes.org. Luka Zavas will give a community presentation on February 22, 2023, at 5:00 p.m. at the Makawao Public Library. More information can be found here.

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 February 11, 2023 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Recruiting for MISC Manager

Posted on October 28, 2022 by MISC

The Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) is seeking a new Manager to lead its multi-taxa, innovative program focused on the eradication of invasive species. MISC’s rapid-response teams work throughout the island of Maui in coastal habitats, forested watersheds, ranchlands, and residential areas. Target species include a suite of invasive plants, vertebrates, and invertebrates. MISC staff brings creative, science-based management approaches to controlling some of the greatest threats to Hawaiʻi and works closely with the community and partners to protect some of the most unique places in the world. The Committee seeks a manager who can bring a landscape-scale perspective, a grounding in invasion biology and operations, and an ability to motivate and honor those who do the hard work on the ground. The project has a robust outreach and education program and receives strong support from county and state funding.

Responsibilities include providing goals and objectives for staff, writing grants, tracking and reporting on deliverables, and ensuring a strong relationship with partners, funders, and the broader community. The manager also provides support and oversight for the Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Eligible candidates will have:

Project management experience, including community engagement (5-7 years), and experience overseeing a culturally- and professionally-diverse workforce (3-5 years).
Knowledge of Hawaiian environment, community, economy, and politics.
Excellent management skills, including the ability to provide guidance, motivate, and engage direct reports through effective communication and leadership.

For more information, contact Teya Penniman 1 (808) 280-1170 or penniman@hawaii.edu

The full job description and application information is available through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawaii. Maui Invasive Species Committee Manager

Application Deadline: November 11, 2022

New invasive little fire ant population discovered in Haʻikū

Posted on September 8, 2022 by Serena Fukushima

In late August, the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) received a report of stinging ants in Haʻikū, via the Statewide Pest Hotline, 643pest.org. The community member reported painful stings from tiny, red ants inside the home. MISC staff visited the site, confirmed the presence of little fire ants (LFA), and began conducting surveys in the neighborhood on August 29th. The MISC team estimates the infestation to include approximately four-to-six acres and will finish mapping its extent before beginning control treatments.

Little fire ants (LFA) are collected by an LFA team member during a survey. A new infestation of LFA has been discovered in Haʻikū. MISC estimates the infestation is approximately four-to-six acres and will finish mapping its extent before beginning control treatments. Photo: MISC

Little fire ants are native to South and Central America and are thought to have arrived in Hawaiʻi in the late 1990s. The ants are tiny – only as long as a penny is thick. They form supercolonies with multiple queens, blanket landscapes, and outcompete most other insects in the area, both native and non-native. Elsewhere in the world, little fire ants have had devastating impacts on native biodiversity.

The ants live in moist, shady environments on the ground and in trees. Typically, people first experience little fire ant stings on the neck or arms; the ants are easily dislodged from trees or branches, falling onto whomever passes below. These painful stings can cause hikers, farmers, and hunters to abandon areas where LFA become well established. When little fire ants invade yards and homes, they can blind pets and cause residents to move to avoid relentless stings.

“Community reports of stinging ants are critical in preventing little fire ants from becoming established on Maui,” says Teya Penniman, MISC Acting Manager.

Reports from community members have led to the detection of 13 of the 19 known infestations on Maui. Once detected, each infestation is treated for approximately one year, then monitored to ensure elimination. The new infestation in Haʻikū will make eight little fire ant sites on Maui under active treatment. Six sites are in the monitoring phase (ants not currently detected), and five have been eradicated. Maui’s largest little fire ant infestation in Nāhiku has shown promising results: 95% of the samples collected in last year’s survey efforts were empty, indicating that the treatment of this 175-acre site is working. A comprehensive survey will take place later this month to further gauge progress.

“Community reports of stinging ants are critical in preventing little fire ants from becoming established on Maui,” says Teya Penniman, MISC Acting Manager. “It’s our best hope for early detection. Calling MISC or using the 643-PEST reporting tool helps catch these invaders before they can spread further.”

Little fire ants are an invasive species that are not widely established on Maui. They can impact native biodiversity, blind pets and cause residents and farmers to move to avoid relentless stings. MISC needs the community’s help to find LFA infestations early. Request a free ant collection kit at stoptheant.org. Photo: MISC

MISC recommends collecting ants in your yard for identification at least once per year and every time you purchase new materials such as mulch or nursery plants. It only takes a few minutes to test for LFA:

Smear a tiny bit of peanut butter (or mayonnaise if peanut allergies are a concern) on several thin strips of cardboard, and place them in shady places in your yard. After 45 minutes, collect the samples with ants, place them in a plastic bag labeled with your name, address, and contact information, and freeze for 24 hours to kill the ants. Mail them to your local Invasive Species Committee. On Maui, send them to MISC, P.O. Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768.

MISC recommends checking your property for little fire ants and other unknown arrivals at least once a year, and every time bringing home new landscaping materials (mulch, potted plants, etc.). Click the infographic above for a video on how to test for LFA. Photo: stoptheant.org

Funding from the County of Maui and the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council supports little fire ant detection and control efforts in Maui County. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture inspects incoming plant materials and produce for invasive pests, preventing additional infestations, and partners with MISC on survey and control efforts.

Visit stoptheant.org to learn more about collecting ant samples and request a free ant collection kit. Contact MISC with concerns, questions, or reports at 808-573-6472 or miscants@hawaii.edu. Reports can also be submitted through 643PEST.org.

Dracula ants re-emerge on Maui

Posted on June 14, 2022 by Serena Fukushima

In March of 2022, the Maui Invasive Species Committee’s (MISC) little fire ant (LFA) crew was wrapping up what they thought would be an uneventful day. The crew had placed peanut-butter-baited vials as part of a routine survey to attract little fire ants. LFA team member, Monte Tudor-Long, was examining the samples under a microscope when he noticed a solitary, reddish-tinged ant mired in the peanut butter in one of the vials. Assuming it was an LFA, he almost moved on to other vials, but something nagged him to look closer. He painstakingly washed the ant with alcohol and placed it on a slide. Tudor-Long was surprised to find the ant was not LFA or even a common tropical fire ant, but something he had never seen before. It turned out to be a Dracula ant, known as Stigmatomma zwaluwenburgi, and had not been recorded anywhere else for the last 20 years. But what was it doing here?

Dracula ants drink the blood of their larvae, leading to the gruesomely appropriate name. As odd as this behavior is, it doesn’t appear to harm the young and provides essential nourishment to queens. You would not find this ant on your kitchen counter. Like any good vampire, these solitary hunters spend most of their lives in the dark. They lurk underground or in leaf litter and typically aren’t born with eyes.

It has been 77 years since Stigmatomma zwaluwenburgi, a type of Dracula ant, has been recorded in Hawaii. This ant is not believed to be invasive, and gets its name from its tendency to drink the blood of its larvae. The sample collected on Maui this year will contribute to DNA research to determine the origin of this rare ant. Photo: MISC

Scientists and naturalists have only collected a dozen specimens of Stigmatomma zwaluwenburgi in the world. The species was first discovered in Hawaiʻi in 1937 by R.H. Van Zwaluwenburg, an entomologist with the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association, and was named after him. The ant collected by MISC is the first one found in Hawaiʻi since 1945 – 77 years ago.

Tudor-Long sought outside confirmation of his identification. “MISC’s ant matched with Stigmatomma zwaluwenburgi,” said Paul Krushelnycky, Assistant Researcher with the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa’s Department of Plant and Environmental Protection Sciences. Krushelnycky sent the sample to Brian Fisher at the California Academy of Sciences who is revising the taxonomic tree of Dracula ants. Fisher had not been able to extract enough DNA from the few remaining specimens. Armed with this fresh sample, he can now delve more deeply into the genetic history of this Dracula ant.

“Think of it like a 23 and Me for ants,” Krushelnycky explains. “The more samples taken of these ants and their relatives, the more complete the branch of this sub-family grows, and more specific connections are formed. We then begin to understand where it could have originated.”

Members of the Maui Invasive Species Committee little fire ant crew were conducting surveys of an existing LFA infestation when a Dracula ant wandered into one of the vials. Reporting and collecting stinging ants in Hawaii is essential to preventing the spread of a new little fire ant infestation or detecting a new invasive species such as the red imported fire ant. It can also lead to exciting discoveries like this Dracula ant. To request a free ant collection kit, visit stoptheant.org. Photo: MISC

Since Hawaiʻi has no native ants, it is still unknown how this one originally arrived. As for the single ant found in Huelo, Tudor-Long is still in awe of how it came to his desk. “This tiny ant, next to an infestation of some of the most voracious invasive ants in the world, just seemed to have wandered into the vial.”

While this species is unlikely to be invasive, the discovery highlights the importance of careful observation. “Reporting and collecting stinging ants in Hawaiʻi is essential to preventing the spread of a new little fire ant infestation or detecting a new invasive species such as the red imported fire ant,” he says. “You could also discover something unique, like this Dracula ant.” Who knows what new discovery may be lurking in your backyard? If you don’t look, you will never know what you may find.

You can help look for LFA and other potentially harmful ants at home! To request a free ant collection kit, visit stoptheant.org.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on June 11, 2022 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Habits Are Key To Preventing the Spread of Rat Lungworm

Posted on May 18, 2022 by Serena Fukushima

In 2017, rat lungworm disease was making big headlines with an unprecedented 21 cases on Hawaiʻi Island and Maui. Those afflicted told stories of blinding headaches and feeling like their skin was on fire. Although the disease had been present in Hawaiʻi for over 50 years, many residents were learning about it for the first time. The spike in cases followed the spread of the invasive semi-slug. Nearly all slugs and snails in the islands can carry the parasite, but the semi-slug is the most common vector.

Invasive semi-slugs carry a high concentration of the rat lungworm parasite. These slugs are prevalent around human dwellings. They are remarkably fast and efficient climbers – commonly found in gardens, buckets, water catchments, and even slithering into open drinking containers. Photo: Wikiwand

These pests hide in produce and if gardeners and shoppers don’t thoroughly wash their lettuce, broccoli, or other greens, humans can accidentally ingest infected slugs and snails. Even juveniles smaller than a tic-tac can carry the parasite. In the human body, the parasite makes its way into the brain and dies. This triggers a rare type of meningitis that causes the lining around the brain to swell. Results range from flu-like symptoms and light sensitivity to nerve damage and even death. Diagnosis is complex, and there is no specific treatment or cure.

The rat lungworm parasite begins its life cycle in a rat’s lungs. The eggs of the parasite hatch in the lungs and travel to the digestive tract, exiting the body through the rat’s feces. Nearby slugs and snails eat infected poop, becoming secondary hosts. Other hosts include cane toads, coqui frogs, freshwater shrimp, and centipedes.

In February 2022, Bishop Museum published a survey confirming the presence of rat lungworms in invasive slug and snail hosts on six Hawaiian Islands (excluding Kahoʻolawe and Niʻihau). Norine Yeung, Malacology Curator at the Bishop Museum, was not surprised by the results. “There are over 60 invasive slug and snail species in the state,” she says. “All have the potential to carry rat lungworm. As long as there are rats, slugs, and snails in Hawaiʻi, it is almost certain that the parasite will continue to exist here.”

Gardening does not have to be scary when practicing good habits. To prevent rat lungworm from landing on your dinner plate, keep rats and slugs at bay and thoroughly wash produce before eating. Photo: S.Fukushima

But with the rat lungworm parasite so widespread, why arenʻt there more cases of human infection? In 2020 and 2021, Hawaiʻi saw a combined total of 10 cases. The Covid pandemic led to more people staying home and an increase in home gardening, so it seems plausible that more people would be in contact with the parasite. Yeung has a hunch on why folks havenʻt been getting sick, “Rat lungworm awareness campaigns reached nearly every resident during 2017. On the front page of the news, in community meetings, information was everywhere.” If Yeung is correct, residents not only got the message but strengthened daily habits to prevent contracting the parasite. Fast forward to 2022, and continued practice of these habits remains vital. Here are a few actions to incorporate into your routine:

Eliminate hungry rats from your garden or orchard. Set traps (be sure to check them) and remove debris that could be hiding or nesting places for rodents.
Slugs and snails need cool, damp places to rest during the day. Remove overgrown vegetation, check under potted plants, or use dripline irrigation to reduce habitat. If slugs and snails are present, bait pellets and granules containing metaldehyde or iron phosphate have proven effective in reducing numbers (just make sure pets don’t have access to them).
In the evening or early morning, pick pests from your garden using disposable gloves or a designated pair of tongs. Drop any plucked pests into a wide-mouthed bottle filled with a 15% salt water solution. After several days, the saltwater will kill the slug and any rat lungworm larvae. Dispose of it in the trash. Other methods to kill both host and parasite are pouring boiling water on collected slugs in a metal pot or freezing them in a sealed bag for 48 hours.
Rinsing produce under running water and drying is the best way to remove any parasites from your veggies. Boiling, steaming, and sauteeing veggies for at least 3-5 minutes will kill any lingering larvae. Freezing produce for 48 hours is also effective. For fruit or veggies with a peel or rind (think bananas, mangos, pumpkins, etc.), rinse thoroughly before consuming.

Yeung feels optimistic. So far, no new cases have been reported this year. “Good sanitation and washing are key to preventing the spread of this parasite,” she says. She recommends keeping an eye out for invasive garden pests so new rat lungworm hosts don’t get established. Report any new pests to your local invasive species committee or 643pest.org. Learn more about snails and slugs through Bishop Museumʻs Malacology Department webpage at bishopmuseum.org/malacology.

This article was originally published in the Maui News on May 14, 2022 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Press Release- New Pest Alert: Highly invasive red-vented bulbul spotted on Maui

Posted on December 8, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Kahului, Maui- Recent sightings of red-vented bulbuls (Pycnonotus cafer) on Maui have agriculture and wildlife officials concerned. Native to Pakistan and India, red-vented bulbuls are among the International Union for Conservation of Natureʻs (IUCN) Top 100 Invasive Species worldwide. They have long been established on Oʻahu, but have remained absent on all other Hawaiian islands. Over the years, several individuals have been observed on Maui, however, these individuals were removed, and no established breeding population is known on the island. Red-vented bulbuls are on the State of Hawaiʻi Injurious Species list, making it illegal to release or transport them to other parts of the State or export them without a permit. They are a high priority invasive pest for the State of Hawaiʻi.

Long established on Oʻahu, red-vented bulbul’s have remained absent on all other Hawaiian islands. One of the top 100 invasive species in the world, red-vented bulbuls can cause significant damage to our native ecosystems, watershed, and agriculture and orchid industries. If you spot a red-vented bulbul on Maui, report it immediately to 643pest.org or (808) 643-PEST. Photo: K.Hari Krishnan

On November 28, 2021, Chris Warren, Forest Bird Program Coordinator at Haleakalā National Park, observed a male red-vented bulbul on Stable Road in Spreckelsville, Maui. Since then, several other sightings have been reported near Costco, Whole Foods, and Queen Kaʻahumanu Center. It is unknown if there are multiple birds or just one individual traveling throughout this area. Two reports were also submitted on December 2 of sightings near Honolua and Kapalua Golf Course in West Maui. These sightings have not yet been verified as red-vented bulbuls.

*Red-vented bulbul identification tips, from left to right: Male red-vented bulbul, female red-vented bulbul, juvenile red-vented bulbul. Photo: Wikicommons*

Red-vented bulbuls are a serious agricultural and wildland pest in Hawaii, and have caused significant damage on Oʻahu. They plague fruit farmers and nurseries, flocking in large groups and devouring commercial fruits such as papaya, mango, lychee, and bananas. They also have a taste for orchid buds, and reportedly caused over $300,000 in damage to the Oʻahu orchid industry one year. Bulbuls are also particularly good at dispersing high-priority plant pests targeted by invasive species committees such as ivy gourd and miconia. If red-vented bulbuls become established on Maui, they pose a severe threat to native forest ecosystems and Mauiʻs watersheds.

Red-vented bulbul are loud with a distinct call. Click on the play button above to listen to one. If you see or hear a red-vented bulbul on Maui, report it immediately to 643pest.org or call (808) 643-PEST.

The red-vented bulbul is about 8 ½ inches long and looks like a black cardinal. Adults are dark with a pointed crest on their head, white abdomen and rump, and crimson under the tail. They also have a slight white marking at the tip of their tail. They make frequent loud calls. The immature bird is like the adult but with some brownish edging on the feathers. Bulbuls are often seen scavenging in parks, hunting for insects in the evening hours, sitting on telephone wires, and are one of the few birds that tend to land on the sides of trees.

Red-vented bulbul’s have a similar body shape to the already established red-crested and northern cardinals. Keep an eye out for dark brown-black coloring, a pointed crest on their head, white abdomen and rump, and crimson under the tail. They also have distinct and loud calls, which are easy to find and listen to on the internet. If you think youʻve spotted a red-vented bulbul, report it immediately to 643pest.org or call 643-PEST (7378). Clear descriptions of the bird, time and place observed, and photos and videos are helpful when submitting reports.

It is crucial to prevent this species from becoming established on Maui. Residents are urged to help by immediately reporting any red-vented bulbul sightings to 643pest.org or calling 643-PEST (7378). Clear descriptions of the bird, time and place observed, and photos and videos are helpful when submitting reports.

For more information, please call 573-MISC or e-mail miscpr@hawaii.edu.

Gobble Gobble! Maui’s Wild Turkeys

Posted on November 23, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

With Thanksgiving only 12 days away, the traditional centerpiece of this holiday meal is likely on your mind. Stores will be flooded with them, the president will pardon one, old family recipes dusted off to make a favorite variation of it, and leftovers will be eaten for a week as sandwiches and jook. If you haven’t guessed it, I’m talking turkey. But did you know that outside of the freezer, this Thanksgiving icon resides in our islands?

Male wild turkeys show off their plumage in Ulupalakua as a courtship display to nearby turkey hens. Maui turkeys are concentrated mainly throughout private ranch lands above Mākena, Wailea and Kīhei. Although they are introduced species, they are not considered harmful invasive pests. — Forest and Kim Starr photo

According to the Bishop Museum archives, turkeys may be one of the first bird species introduced to our islands post-Western contact. In 1788, several birds arrived from China. In the 1800s, they were abundant on Oʻahu and Kauaʻi as escaped domestic birds formed wild, self-sustaining populations. During the 1930s, a particularly deadly parasite called blackhead disease swept through, greatly diminishing turkeys throughout the state. Efforts to reintroduce them as a game bird resumed to give us the turkeys we have today. The Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DLNR-DOFAW) currently manages wild turkey populations. Although they do not have estimates on the total population statewide, Hawaiʻi Island is thought to have the largest number of wild turkeys, and Lānaʻi has the most in Maui County. In fact, turkeys were so abundant on Lānaʻi in the 1900s, that they were harvested and distributed to other islands to provide the classic centerpiece to Thanksgiving and Christmas dinner. Today they are considered a nuisance by many residents of Hawaiʻi’s third smallest island- seen often along the roadside, in neighborhoods, on hotel properties, and even eating crabs on the beach!

The Maui gobblers are concentrated in the southern parts of the island, dispersed throughout ranch lands above Mākena, Wailea, and Kīhei. They have also been observed in ʻUlupalakua and one was even spotted near Kuihelani Highway recently. Although they are introduced species, they are not considered harmful invasive pests according to Shane De Mattos, Wildlife Biologist for the Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “Turkeys do not seem to make a substantial negative impact on our environment. The areas they frequent are not pristine ecosystems, and their numbers arenʻt so large that they are competing with natives” They do have the potential to spread invasive seeds, however, as they forage primarily on non-native grasses, seeds, and berries.

Turkeys have been in Hawaii since the late 1700s and quickly escaped domestication. The largest population of wild turkeys in our islands today occur on Hawaii island, with Lanai having the most in Maui County. — Forest and Kim Starr photo

In regards to hunting turkeys on Maui, De Mattos says, “Turkeys are allowed to be harvested during the State game bird season, usually held November through January. On Maui island, they can only be harvested on private lands with a valid State of Hawaiʻi hunting license.” De Mattos encourages hunters and birders wanting to observe wild turkeys to make sure they have permission before entering private lands and to follow best sanitation practices to prevent the spread of invasive species or diseases like Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. “When hunting or going into wild areas, make sure to clean your boots of any mud, as well as wash and clean clothing and gear. Washing vehicles and tires before and after going to new areas is also a great practice,” De Mattos encourages, “Just doing these simple practices can create a huge positive impact to reduce the spread of invasive species in our islands.”

A wild turkey was featured on the 2018-2019 Hawaiʻi Game Bird Stamp. Turkeys are allowed to be harvested during the State game bird season On Maui, they can only be harvested on private lands with a valid State of Hawaiʻi hunting license. – DLNR photo

As for how they taste, Upcountry rancher and hunter, Steven Wong remarks, “You have to know how to cook them right, otherwise they’re dry, tough, and rubbery.” Wong grew up hunting and eating wild turkey and recommends cooking it with green papaya (similar to chicken papaya soup) or in an imu- but with added pork or beef fat to prevent it from drying out. For most of us, it may be best to stick to the Butterball.

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. “Kiaʻi 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 November 13, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

Duane Sparkman Receives 2021 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award

Posted on November 2, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Duane Sparkman, Chief Engineer at the Westin Maui Resort and Spa, is the 2021 recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award. The award is given each year to recognize the efforts in the landscape and agricultural community towards stopping the spread of invasive species in Maui County. The award is presented by the Maui Invasive Species Committee, the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and the County of Maui.

With his roots in landscaping, Sparkman worked his way up to become part-owner of a large landscape company that maintained 65 acres of resorts along Maui’s coastlines before coming on board with the Maui Westin Resort and Spa. Along with his day job, Sparkman has pursued his passion of learning about Maui’s unique environment. He has volunteered with over a dozen conservation organizations, removing invasive species and planting endangered plants in some of Maui’s most pristine places. In 2012, he worked at Haleakalā National Park with their resource management team, which drastically changed his view of landscape maintenance. Through his experience, Sparkman came to a realization: “If I don’t have to fertilize a native forest, why do I need to fertilize urban landscapes?” He then proceeded to transform the landscape practices at the Maui Westin Resort and Spa’s 12-acre oceanfront resort to organic practices.

*Duane Sparkman, 2021 recipient of the Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award.* *Photo: MISC*

Additionally, Sparkman sits on the board of directors of Maui Cultural Lands as their botanist and is the project manager for a 72-acre Hawaiian cultural reserve called Kīpuka Olowalu. He also has a consulting company called Edaphic Perspective, where he assists homeowners, landowners and municipalities transition to organic landscape practices, and has recently partnered with the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council to assist them with their organic land management division

Sparkman’s nomination stems from his passion in seeing thriving and healthy ecosystems from mauka to makai. He has affected not only the industry he works in, but countless other organizations throughout Maui, by sharing his knowledge and skills with community members, respecting and promoting Hawaiian culture and practices, working with local non-profit organizations, and continuing to improve sustainable landscape practices within Hawaii’s resort industry.

*The 2021 Mālama i ka ʻĀina Award features a glass sculpture of a Maui Parrotbill on a koa branch, made by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen, and mounted on a koa wood plaque.* *Photo: MISC*

Due to Covid-19, the award was presented in a small, socially distanced award ceremony in West Maui and filmed by videographer Spencer Hyde of Dgtl Film. The presenters included Allison Wright, President of the Maui Association of Landscape Professionals, and Adam Radford, Manager of the Maui Invasive Species Committee. This year’s commemorative plaque featured a sculpture of a Maui Parrotbill perched on a koa branch by glass artist Jupiter Nielsen. The Mālama i ka ʻĀina award is a part of the 2021 Maui Arbor Day Garden Expo and Tree Giveaway held November 2-6. This year, local experts will offer tree and plant care lectures and webinars and the Maui Nui Botanical Gardens will host a nursery open house in addition to giving away more than 1,000 Hawaiian trees. More information on Arbor Day can be found at arbordayexpo.com.

Not All Fire Ants Are The Same

Posted on October 13, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

It’s a familiar feeling many of us have experienced. You may have been picnicking in a park, loading up a surfboard, or walking your dog when OUCH! The sensation between fire and an electric shock move slowly up your leg. You look down and see them. Fire ants. A familiar yet frightening sight, yet are all fire ants in Hawaiʻi alike?

Hawaiʻi has no native ant species. Since humans first began to inhabit the islands (and bring cargo), over 60 species of ants have hitchhiked here. One of the most common and notorious is the tropical fire ant. With a native range from the southern U.S. to South America, tropical fire ants were first documented in Hawaiʻi as early as 1879. These small red ants are now commonly found on every major Hawaiian island. Ground-nesting, they prefer dry, sunny locations and are right at home in beach parks, lawns, fields, driveways, and dirt roads. When a human foot or leg disturbs their nest, they attack – and they pack a punch and immediately start hurting. Because these ants live only on the ground, stings are almost always found on the victim’s feet and legs.

Hawaiʻi has no native ant species. Since humans first began to inhabit the islands… over 60 species of ants have hitchhiked here.

Fire ants are not all the same. Relatively new to Hawaiʻi, the little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata) usually stick to humid and shady locations: think dense foliage and rainy or irrigated areas. Tropical fire ants are on the ground, whereas little fire ants (LFA) can live in brush and treetops. They don’t have a good grip, so if you brush against an infested plant (or it’s a windy day), they can rain down on you, stinging your neck and falling down your shirt and on your arms, leaving painful rash like wounds that become increasingly itchy and swollen over time.

Size is one of the best ways to tell what type of fire ant you may have encountered. Tropical fire ants are giant compared to LFA, and TFA moves quickly and aggressively, making them easy to see with the naked eye. LFA are slow and sloth-like and extremely tiny. You most likely will feel their sting without even seeing them! Don’t let their size fool you, though- these tiny terrors have an enormous impact, affecting our economy, health, environment, cultural practices, and quality of life.

Established tropical fire ants are much larger than newer, invasive little fire ants. Tropical fire ants live in the ground and are commonly found in beach parks, fields and driveways. These are the ants that will typically sting your feet and legs. Little fire ants are not established on Maui, and can live in brush and treetops. Stings by LFA are typically on the neck, down the shirt, or on arms since they donʻt have good grip and will fall on passerby from above. Photo: MISC

LFA were first detected outside of Hilo in the 1990s, then spread throughout the state, first reaching Maui in 2009. The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, and Invasive Species Committees endeavor to stop the spread of these pests, and solicit help from the community in these efforts. In fact, 12 out of the 18 known little fire ant populations on Maui were detected by members of the public.

Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture are working to prevent little fire ants from establishing a permanent foothold on Maui. Monte Tudor-Long, Little Fire Ant Crew Leader with MISC, feels hopeful. “Our control methods are working, and we are proud to say that we have declared several little fire ant populations on Maui eradicated, and those undergoing treatment are showing positive results. But we need the public’s continued help to detect these pests early.” Research and efforts by the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab, based on Hawaiʻi Island, has led to the development of new control methods and tools.

Tudor-Long says that it’s important to collect any stinging ants, even if they might be tropical fire ants. By doing so, you can help detect any new populations of LFA or prevent new invasive ants like the Red Imported Fire Ant, a notoriously invasive tropical fire ant lookalike not known to be in Hawaiʻi yet.

Collecting ants is simple “All you need is some peanut butter and a chopstick. Smear the bait on your stick, leave it in a shady place, and check back on it in an hour. If there are any ants on the stick, send them to us!”, Tudor-Long encourages. On Maui, MISC will identify your ants and let you know if you indeed have LFA and then help, free of charge. Don’t have LFA? Your ant sample will still help by contributing to understanding what ants are present in Hawaiʻi’s environment.

Testing for little fire ants is easy, and a great way to ensure that LFA, or other harmful ants, aren’t present on your property. Watch the video above to learn how to test for ants, and request a free testing kit at www.stoptheant.org, or by calling (808) 573-MISC. Video: Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources

October’s Stop the Ant Month is a state-wide campaign that brings awareness to little fire ants and encourages the public to test for ants in the backyards. You can request a test kit at www.stoptheant.org. Throughout the month, kits will also be available at local libraries, garden stores, veterinary clinics, and farmstands in Maui Nui.

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

Be like Bob: The Importance of Reporting Something Out of Place

Posted on September 24, 2021 by Serena Fukushima

Retired state forester Bob Hobdy knows his trees. So, when he was driving through his Haʻikū neighborhood earlier this summer and saw a tree he didn’t recognize, he collected a branch complete with the flowers and seeds. After some sleuthing, he determined that it was Vernonthura polyanthes, a tree that has never been documented in Hawaiʻi, hiding in plain sight. Hobdy, concerned about the invasive potential of this plant, shared his findings with MISC’s Early Detection Specialists, Forest and Kim Starr, who quickly confirmed the identifications. The surprise lies in how far it had already spread.

Vernonanthura polyanthes, or assa-peixe, can grow to about 20 feet in height and has oblong-shaped green leaves. During the winter months in Brazil, assa-peixe puts on a display of delicate white and pink-colored flowers beloved by bees and resembling the blooms of invasive haole koa. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr.

The Starr’s gathered historical aerial photos of the area where this tree was discovered, looking for an indication of how many trees might be there. The results were shocking. In 2008, the area was completely cleared and bare dirt. Photos from 2015 show vegetation regrowth and a sprinkling of this new arrival in open pasture. In 2019, the pasture was completely clogged with mature trees. Recent data shows that this tree has sprouted up from Māliko Gulch to Kaupakalua Gulch, and ranges from about 600-1,000 ft. elevation. Aerial imagery can only go so far, and the Starrʻs are concerned that the pest may have expanded farther than can be detected with only aerial photos. As of the publication date of this article, the invasive tree has colonized an estimated 1,000 acres. Though current data shows this tree to only be in the Haʻikū area, Hobdy has concerns about its potential to spread further. “If left unmanaged, this tree will invade Maui’s agricultural and pasture lands and even has the potential to reach Haleakalā’s leeward native forests.”

Aerial photos taken on Maui of an area where assa-peixe is prevalent shows just how quickly this invasive plant can quickly invade open land. If you spot this invasive tree outside of the Haiku area, report it to 643pest.org. Photo: Forest & Kim Starr .

Vernonathura polyanthes is commonly called assa-peixe (ah-sa-payshay) in its native Brazil. Its leaves are breaded and fried and eaten as a snack, and when prepared this way, the veins of the leaves are reminiscent of fish bones, inspiring the tree’s common name, which translates to “fish roaster.” The tree can grow to about 20 feet in height and has oblong-shaped green leaves. During the winter months in Brazil, assa-peixe puts on a display of delicate white and pink colored flowers, resembling the blooms on invasive haole koa.

Beloved by bees and beekeepers, assa-peixe was exported in the 1990s to Mozambique as a nectar plant for honeybees. It invaded quickly- thriving in open agriculture fields, pasture lands, roadsides, and other areas disturbed by humans and animals. It soon began impacting agricultural communities and economies while creating a significant wildfire threat. Able to regrow after being cut down or after a fire and with seeds that travel easily by wind, assa-peixe moved into neighboring Zimbabwe and quickly became a dominant invasive species in the region within 25 years.
No stranger to working with invasive species throughout his 38-year career, Hobdy remarks, “In less than 20 years, it seems to be doing the same thing on Maui that it’s been doing in Africa. Frankly, this one scares me.”

In less than 20 years, it seems to be doing the same thing on Maui that it’s been doing in Africa. Frankly, this one scares me.

Maui Invasive Species Committee staff and partners plan to conduct more surveys to determine many trees are established. “Even if it seems like something you’ve seen before, be like Bob and investigate. You just may have found something early enough to stop it.” says Starr. He encourages the Maui community to keep an eye out for assa-peixe to learn if it has moved further from the known area. Since the seeds of this tree can quickly disperse on Maui’s trade winds, it has the potential to spread to other places, so catching it early and controlling it in your backyard before it gets out of hand is critical. If you find assa-peixe outside of the Haʻikū area, take a photo and report it to 643pest.org.

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 Hawaiʻi at Manoa. “Kiaʻi 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 September 11, 2021 as part of the Kia‘i Moku Column from the Maui Invasive Species Committee.