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Haʻikū Residents bring back quiet nights through MISC Community Coqui Control Program

Posted on December 4, 2020 by Susan Frett


Haʻikū communities are taking back their quiet nights from noisy, invasive coqui frogs, with tools and training from the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC). MISC is currently working with five Haʻikū neighborhoods –Haʻikū Hill, Haʻikū Mauka, Haʻikū Makai, Lower Kokomo and Akoa/Ala Olu/Makaio. The program is ready to assist and empower more Haʻikū residents in the fight against this invasive species to protect their way of life and health of our native ecosystems.

Ha’ikū residents support each other in controlling coqui frogs on their properties with support from MISCʻs Community Coqui Control Program.

MISC recognized that in addition to strong support from the County of Maui and State of Hawai’i, containing and eradicating coqui in Haʻikū would require strong engagement at a neighborhood level. MISC launched the program to support and expand on existing community coqui control efforts by residents. MISC provides training, equipment, and citric acid solution (a food additive mixed with water). Community members provide boots on the ground – removing vegetation, hauling hoses, and dousing infested areas with citric acid solution. And it’s working. According to Haʻikū Hill team leader John Phelps, “Spraying each month has reduced the number of frogs on each property from hundreds to only a handful.” Neighbors working together can be more effective than independent control efforts, as coqui can quickly move into untreated areas or reinfest properties without a consistent effort. Participants report an additional benefit: the program is a good opportunity to get involved and meet their neighbors. MISC follows all social distancing and mask-wearing protocols whenever working in the community and all control work is conducted outdoors.

A Haʻikū residents sprays citric acid to control coqui on his property.

MISC provides different levels of support, depending on community need and participation. Individual residents can receive free powdered citric acid to control coqui on their property once MISC has confirmed that coqui are present. Residents can also borrow a 9-gallon walk-behind sprayer or a 100-gallon sprayer that fits in the back of a pickup truck. MISC provides training on how to effectively use the sprayers. 

When three or more neighbors agree to work together across their properties, MISC provides a 100-gallon sprayer to participating residents every six weeks and helps residents with spray operations if needed. For larger groups of neighbors (at least nine committed households, plus a person  who serves as a point of contact) MISC provides a reservoir of pre-mixed citric acid during the specified control week on a six week rotation. Participants report that having mixed citric acid in advance has been a “game changer” as it allows the team to focus directly on control activities. In two neighborhoods, the community groups proposed using a pipeline to effectively treat a larger area. MISC and the residents worked together to design and install the systems.

MISC provides a variety of sprayers to residents wanting to control coqui frogs on their properties.

Over the years, MISC has been able to eradicate 21 coqui populations on the island. Abe Vandenberg, MISC Coqui Field Coordinator, says the key to those successes has been persistence and consistency. He emphasizes the importance of community efforts, noting record levels of participation last summer, “Local engagement is a huge help to the island-wide coqui control strategy. As more community members help remove coqui from their own backyards, they allow MISC staff to take on more challenging work in the gulches and other areas with difficult access. Working the process of small wins will lead us toward the biggest possible success –  a coqui-free Maui.”

  • For more information about the program, visit: https://mauiinvasive.org/community-coqui-control-program/ 
  • To get involved, call MISC’s Community Coqui Control Coordinator Susan Frett at 808-633-6646 or email skfrett@hawaii.edu. 
  • To learn more about coqui, including environmental impacts, visit: https://mauiinvasive.org/coqui-frog/
  • To submit a report, visit: https://bit.ly/Coqui-Maui-Public-Report-Form or call MISC at 808-573-6472.

Filed Under: Community, Community Program News, Control Work, Get Involved!, Home Slider, Invasive Animals, Press Release Tagged With: Citric solution, community coqui control program, coqui, coqui frog, coqui frogs, maui, MISC

Community Coqui Control Progam – September 2020

Posted on September 23, 2020 by Lissa Strohecker

All four of the Haʻikū neighborhoods involved in the MISC Community Coqui Control Program held work weeks during August. One of the communities, Haʻikū Mauka, had record participation: the community worked together to treat half the properties in the neighborhood and collectively contributed 24 hours of effort helping each other remove coqui frogs. 

In the Lower Kokomo neighborhood, more residents learned how to operate the citric acid pipeline that is installed in their neighborhood gulch, further empowering them to keep the coqui frogs out of their backyards! 

Haʻikū residents work together to bring back quiet nights to their neighborhoods.

The MISC Community Coqui Control team held the first  Virtual Block Party with the Lower Kokomo neighborhood. MISC staff presented results of their neighborhood effort over the first year and discussed future plans for the program. The highlight was that the community reported hearing fewer coqui frogs in the neighborhood since the program began! MISC plans to hold Virtual Block Parties with each of the neighborhoods we currently work in before the end of the year. 

MISC will continue community spray weeks on a  6-week rotation through the fall. To further empower local residents to control coqui frogs in their own yards  MISC is offering small, in-person training sessions to learn how to use the equipment available from our community loan program. Community members with coqui frogs in their yards are encouraged to recruit a few neighbors and contact Susan (skfrett@hawaii.edu or 808-633-6646) to sign up for this training opportunity. Participants will learn how to use different sized sprayers, mix the correct percentage of citric acid solution, safely treat their yards and clean the equipment.  Any efforts that community members can take to control coqui frogs in their own yards frees up the MISC coqui crew to work in the gulches and other challenging locations.

September Updates on other species here:

Plant Crew – September 2020

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death response: In response to community reports, Mike Ade collected two samples for possible Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death: one ...
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Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee -September 2020

Removing upside-down jellyfish from Kaunakakai harbor sometimes takes partners, as when DLNR divers helped out several years ago. The Molokai ...
Read More

Coqui Crew – September 2020

From July through September, the coqui crew worked throughout Haʻikū on populations of frogs near the Kauhikoa Reservoir, the Five ...
Read More

Community Coqui Control Progam – September 2020

All four of the Haʻikū neighborhoods involved in the MISC Community Coqui Control Program held work weeks during August. One ...
Read More

Early Detection, Outreach, and Education – September 2020

Early Detection:No news is good news, at least from the early detection team. Forest and Kim Starr surveyed the Kahului ...
Read More

Little Fire Ant Crew – September 2020

Little fire ants can climb and so can our crew. Paul Moneymaker scales a steep hillside while surveying for little ...
Read More

All Updates

Filed Under: Community Program Updates, Update Tagged With: community coqui control program, September 2020

Hiring a Community Engagement Liaison – Apply by 9/16/20

Posted on September 4, 2020 by Lissa Strohecker

Help empower your community to protect the ‘aina by addressing invasive species.  Join MISC’s community engagement team, working to help neighborhood groups remove coqui frog infestations.   This position has a mix of duties: from dropping off supplies and conducting field work to organizing and maintaining records, building relationships, and giving presentations. Work hours may vary depending on operational needs but evening shifts can be anticipated. 

The ideal candidate is organized, able to work independently within a team structure, and has a proven ability to communicate with a diverse range of audiences. An Associate’s Degree is required but a combination of experience (one to three years conducting fieldwork or working with the public) and a high school diploma or GED and may be substituted. The pay range is $2, 490 – $4,379 per month. 

Find a full job description below. If you have questions about the position, please contact Susan Frett by email or by phone at 633-6646. 

Apply online through the Research Corporation of the University of Hawai‘i website:  MISC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LIAISON – ID# 220410

MISC COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT LIAISON – ID# 220410. 
Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.  Regular, Full-Time, RCUH Non-Civil Service position with the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit (PCSU), Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC), University of Hawai‘i, located on Maui, Hawai‘i. Continuation of employment is dependent upon program/operational needs, satisfactory work performance, availability of funds, and compliance with applicable Federal/State laws. 

MONTHLY SALARY RANGE:  $2,490-$4,372/Mon.

DUTIES:  Works in the field with community groups, individuals, and/or nursery/industry representatives to support their efforts in controlling specific invasive species.  Leads groups into the field for educational purposes. Identifies and works with key community leaders/residents to facilitate community-led control activities.  Schedules and coordinates community meetings.  Expands and coordinates equipment/supply loan program for invasive species control. Coordinates and implements volunteer recognition program and mechanisms for maintaining volunteer engagement.  Works with Coordinators, Crew Leaders, and Operations Manager to characterize and prioritize management units for community control involvement. Works closely with the Community Engagement Coordinator to develop programs and materials to engage the community in behaviors related to invasive species management using community-based social marketing principles.  Provides environmental education in selected classrooms and in field settings.  Will interact with minors monthly.  Works in the field with MISC invasive species control crews and with community members. Drives project vehicles to work sites. Must be able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with manual transmission. 

PRIMARY QUALIFICATIONS: EDUCATION/TRAINING:  Associate’s Degree from an accredited community college. (High School Diploma or G.E.D. equivalent and an additional one to three (1-3) years of field experience or experience working with the public may substitute for an Associate’s Degree). 

EXPERIENCE:  One to three (1-3) years of experience in public relations or education, and field activities related to natural resource management. 

ABIL/KNOW/SKILLS:  Basic knowledge of Hawaiian biota/natural history and threats from incipient alien plant and animal invasions in Hawai‘i.  Knowledge of field activities related to natural resources management.  Knowledge of identification of common native Hawaiian plants and common introduced weed species.  Knowledge of identification and detection techniques for invasive species. Good oral and written communication skills.  Public speaking ability.  Ability to think and act independently under pressure and in the public eye.  Ability to present a positive public image for activities that can be perceived as controversial at times. Ability to read maps and aerial photographs, navigate in remote areas with and without a GPS unit, and accurately collect and store data.  Ability and experience working with small, mechanized equipment (e.g., weed whackers).  Proficient in the use of basic computer programs, including word processing and desktop publishing software. Demonstrated proficiency in following administrative, operational, and safety protocols, including proper use and storage of pesticides and use and maintenance of project gear and equipment. Ability to appropriately explain project objectives to the public. Ability to identify a wide variety of native Hawaiian and alien plants/animals. Must possess a valid driver’s license (and if the use of a personal vehicle on the job is required, must also have valid personal driver’s insurance equivalent to Hawai‘i’s No-Fault Driver’s Insurance) and maintain throughout the duration of employment. Must be able to drive a 4-wheel drive vehicle with manual transmission.

Post Offer/Employment Condition:  Must be able to pass a post-offer criminal background check.  Must possess Certification in First Aid/CPR (or be able to obtain the certificate following the training provided within six (6) months from date of hire and maintain throughout duration of employment).  Must complete the online Hazard Communication training immediately after hire or no later than employee’s initial exposure to hazardous chemicals. 

PHYSICAL/MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:  Ability to backpack, lift, and carry up to fifty (50) pounds unassisted while working in the field.  Ability to work in rugged terrain under inclement weather conditions.

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

SECONDARY QUALIFICATIONS:  Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four (4) year college or university in Biology, Natural Resource Management, Environmental Science or related field.  Experience with invasive species control in Hawai‘i.  Mapmaking abilities using ArcGIS.  Strong graphic design aesthetic skills. 

INQUIRIES:  Susan Frett 633-6646 (Maui). 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS: Please go to www.rcuh.com and click on “Job Postings.” You must submit the following documents online to be considered for the position: 1) Cover Letter, 2) Resume, 3) Supervisory References, 4) Copy of Degree(s)/Transcript(s)/Certificate(s). All online applications must be submitted/received by the closing date (11:59 P.M. Hawai‘i Standard Time/RCUH receipt time) as stated on the job posting. If you do not have access to our system and the closing date is imminent, you may send additional documents to rcuh_employment@rcuh.com. If you have questions on the application process and/or need assistance, please call (808)956-7262 or (808)956-0872. 

CLOSING DATE:  September 16, 2020.  

RCUH’s mission is to support and enhance research, development and training in Hawai‘i, with a focus on the University of Hawai‘i. 

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

Filed Under: Employment Tagged With: community coqui control program, employment, jobs at MISC

Coqui – April/May 2020

Posted on May 27, 2020 by Lissa Strohecker

Kayani Singh, Teri Green, and Scott Winter following physical distancing guidelines while searching for coqui. Photo by Megan Archibald

As preparations were being made for MISC’s coqui crew to safely do fieldwork during Covid-19, the field crew had the opportunity to have an extended experience of MISC’s “Coqui College.” Utilizing virtual meetings, the crew met daily in video and voice chat rooms. They created site response plans, trained new staff, and watched selected presentations from prior Hawai’i Conservation Conferences. Our current crew includes Abe Vandenberg, Coqui Crew Coordinator; Darrell Aquino and Scott Winter, Field Crew Leaders; and Megan Archibald, Teri Green, and Kayani Singh, Field Crew. MISC is currently hiring additional staff. 

Additionally, MISC’s new Coqui Community Engagement Coordinator, Susan Frett, joined Beth Speith on the coqui community project in early March. While unable to engage directly with community members in person due to Covid-19, they developed and implemented an online questionnaire to determine how MISC could further empower community members to control coqui frogs in their yards. Susan and Beth collected, analyzed, and are now following up on feedback to improve the community program going forward. 

Based in part on questionnaire responses, the crew has been out hunting down single frogs, doing habitat work, and spraying smaller amounts of citric to tackle outlying single frogs and small populations. One response alerted the crew to a previously unknown small pocket of frogs in a challenging wildland location. This area likely expanded from a known population of frogs in Haʻikū and is now being controlled. The resident who initially reported this infestation sent this update: “I woke up at 3 am and took a moment to listen outside. I didn’t hear any coqui! I will listen again this evening. Mahalo to you and the crew!”

For a full report on what we learned from the questionnaire please check out this blog post: Results from the coqui community engagement questionnaire

At the same time, the coqui community team has been busy empowering residents to control coqui on their own. The team is distributing citric acid use for frog control using the no contact food delivery model. Between April 17th and May 9th, MISC staff delivered 633 pounds of citric to 17 separate locations around Haʻikū so residents can control coqui in their own yards. Citric deliveries will be available for as long as the MISC baseyard remains closed to the public. Small (1.28 lb) and large (50 lb) bags are available for residents to use in their own yards. Please get in touch with Susan at (808) 633-6646 or skfrett@hawaii.edu to request citric if needed.

No Contact Citric Delivery
No-contact citric delivery, May 2020

As the weather continues to warm into the summer months the frogs will be more vocal. Please let us know what you are hearing especially if you hear them in a new area. We cannot always respond to reports right away but do prioritize responding to reports of frogs in new areas. Please report if you hear frogs where you haven’t heard them before. As this Maui resident said, “this neighborhood does not have coqui frogs YET.  If I were to hear one or more I would immediately inform my neighbors and urge ACTION!” Thanks for your enthusiasm! 

Report coqui frogs using the MISC Coqui Report form.

Community reporting alerted MISC and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture to coqui frogs at a larger nursery in central Maui in mid-May. Check out the story on our blog!

Filed Under: Community Program Updates, Update Tagged With: April/May 2020, community coqui control program, coqui frog crew

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Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
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E-mail:miscmgr@hawaii.edu

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