Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

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Coqui Crew – September 2020

Posted on September 23, 2020 by MISC

From July through September, the coqui crew worked throughout Haʻikū on populations of frogs near the Kauhikoa Reservoir, the Five Corners area, Kaluanui, Kauhikoa Gulch, and West Kuiaha resulting in a dramatic reduction in coqui in these areas. Interns from American Conservation Experience helped tackle an outlying population near Pe‘ahi in Haʻikū.  The crew followed up on reports and removed frogs in Makawao and Huelo as well. Community reports help us to find these new frog populations. Please keep reporting!  mauiinvasive.org/coqui-frog/got-coqui/

Aja Early, formerly a coqui crew leader and currently part of the MISC miconia crew, captured a single calling frog in a kalo loʻi in Wailuaui near Keʻanae, protecting east Maui from coqui. Citric acid pipeline infrastructure improvements, habitat modification, and citric acid sprays are ongoing with dedicated and integrated training time to inform decisions made in the field by our newer members on the team. 

MISC’s coqui crew welcomed five new crew members in August bringing the coqui field crew to 14. In September, three more crew members started work bringing the crew to 17. The experienced staff, especially Darrell Aquino and Scott Winter, have done an excellent job of sharing their knowledge, experience, and perspectives with everyone on the team. In September, the MISC field crew was supplemented with 11 experienced field interns from A.C.E., American Conservation Experience. MISC is still looking for people who feel drawn to this type of work and we are currently accepting applications for field crew. Follow MISC on Facebook or Instagram for updates on these positions.

A system of PVC pipeline delivers citric throughout a gulch. Crew work along stations, plugging in fire hose and spraying the walls of the gulch.

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 ...
Read More
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: Update Tagged With: coqui crew, September 2020

Social media posts help MISC catch coqui frogs

Posted on May 13, 2020 by Susan Frett 2 Comments

Hand captured coqui frog
Coqui frog captured by hand (example image from April 29, 2020)

Updated May 18, 2020

Late in the evening on May 12th, 2020 people across Maui started reacting to a video posted on Facebook of coqui frogs calling in the plants outside a large nursery in Central Maui. The notifications for the MISC Facebook page were flooding in as people sent messages, shared the video, and tagged MISC in their comments to the video on other pages.  Many people also filled out the Coqui Report form on our webpage. Mahalo for all of your reports!

Early the next morning, before MISC could even start preparing to respond to the location, we learned that one of our awesome, longtime staff, Darrell Aquino, had quashed the outbreak! Darrell’s daughter, a former MISC Coqui Crew member, had seen the video on Facebook and let him know about it. Being a take-charge person, as well as an experienced MISC coqui field supervisor since 2005, Darrell went out to the location at 10:30pm on the 12th.

As all who watched the video that was shared or have heard coqui in person know, the males emit a loud two-toned call. By listening and whistling back to the frog, Darrell was able to track down and hand capture a single frog in the plants for sale outside the nursery. Additionally, Darrell learned from the local security person that the store manager captured a second frog. 

Darrell sharing his knowledge with the coqui crew January 30, 2020

Mahalo to Darrell and the nursery store manager for their quick action! The area where the frogs were found is currently quarantined – plants are not being sold from there.

Mahalo to Darrell, and the nursery store manager, for their quick action! The area where the frogs were found has been treated with citric by HDOA and is currently being monitored throughout the evenings by store staff. Nursery employees will report any additional coqui frogs to HDOA who will respond if needed

Mahalo to the Maui community for taking action and drawing attention to this incipient invasive species threat. Unfortunately, other invasive species are not as vocal. We all need to be vigilant to limit the spread of all invasive species. 

You can help! Prevent the spread of invasive species on Maui

  • Purchase locally-grown plants whenever possible – pest species hitchhike on cargo moving long distances.
  • Inspect all new plants and landscaping materials brought on to your property.
  • Isolate new plants and landscaping materials for a few days and inspect them again.
  • Do a self-test to inspect for little fire ants, check out this video to learn how. 
  • Report MISC target invasive species 
  • Support funding for more inspectors and rapid response at the county and state level.

Filed Under: Uncategorized Tagged With: coqui crew, coqui frog

Hiring five field crew and a crew leader to join our coqui program.

Posted on February 23, 2020 by MISC

Both recruitments have closed, but if you are interested in working with MISC, please contact us at 808-573-6472. A list of current openings can be found at: mauiinvasive.org/careers

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew Leader – Recruitment closes March 2, 2020
Keep reading for details about the position.

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew – Recruitment closes March 10. 2020
Keep reading for details about the position.

Work outside, mālama the ʻāina, and help your community. 

The Maui Invasive Species Committee is hiring full-time permanent field positions for the coqui crew. There are five (5) field crew positions and crew leader position open.

This crew works out of our Makawao field station. The work shift is from 1:00 pm to 11:30 pm Monday through Thursday during the summer months and 12:00 pm to 10:30 during winter. Shifts can vary depending on operational needs.

Starting salary is $2580/month ($14.89/hour) for field crew postions and $3400/month ($19.61/hour) for the crew leader. Work involves mixing 50 lb bags of citric acid into a 14% solution, hiking in rough terrain while carrying heavy fire hose to spray coqui frog infested areas, and maintaining detailed records including GIS.

Must have current driver’s license and high school diploma or GED equivalent. If you have questions about the position duties and responsibilities, contact the Maui Invasive Species Committee at 808-573-6472.

To apply:

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) 956-8344 or (808) 956-0872. 

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew – Recuitment closes March 10. 2020

Apply for MISC Coqui Crew Leader – Recruitment closes March 2, 2020

Find all current job openings on our Careers page.

Filed Under: Employment, In the field, Invasive Animals Tagged With: coqui crew, Jobs, work at MISC

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Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)
Office: (808) 573-6472
Press and Media Inquiries: (808) 344-2756
Mailing Address:
PO Box 983, Makawao, HI 96768

Acting Manager / Public Relations: Lissa Strohecker
E-mail: miscpr@hawaii.edu

Special Projects: Teya Penniman
E-mail: miscmgr@hawaii.edu

Statewide Pest Hotline: 808-643-PEST
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