invasive species

This week represents a key deadline for bills to move forward this legislative session, and lawmakers have kept some alive for the most problematic pest species in Hawaiʻi.

Researchers in Waimānalo are testing fertilizers made of wildfire-prone invasive plant biomass to see if they can grow food just as well as contemporary products, typically made from fossil fuels. The project could lead to cheaper alternatives for local farmers. HPR's Cassie Ordonio takes a closer look.

Senate Bill 3237 would primarily create a plant nursery license, designate dozens of pest species for eradication, add rules for imported goods and give the state Department of Agriculture more power to stop the movement of infested goods.

The state Department of Agriculture is considering a change to its internal rules to stop the movement of plant material infested with pest species. Under the proposed changes, the State Plant Regulatory Official would be able to order a company to keep plant materials if it contains pests. The SPRO is in charge of the state’s pest detection and regulation.

Kapua Kawelo works in resource management at Schofield Barracks. Her worries about little fire ants extend beyond her day job. She's also active in her community of Kahaluʻu, which has turned its focus to the threat of the little fire ant. Many new ant sites have been reported in Windward Oʻahu in the past year.

The online website allows the public to report real-time sightings of the invasive birds that devastate local crops and upset the ecological balance of the island.

State plant inspectors went through more than 19 million parcels that came into Hawaiʻi last year. However, there were only about 90 inspectors who did that work. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

Oʻahu lawmakers want more to be done about invasive species, and they say the city needs to play a bigger role. The Honolulu City Council just approved a measure asking the city administration to do so.

Local leaders want the City and County of Honolulu to be more involved in managing Oʻahu’s invasive species. Coconut rhinoceros beetles, little fire ants, invasive coral, coqui frogs and other species have been recently growing threats to the island.

Department of Agriculture Chair Sharon Hurd told state lawmakers at an informational briefing on Monday that general funds would help free up money for other biosecurity efforts and stabilize the funding for those employees.