Kia'i Moku - Guarding the Island Is the Official Newsletter of the Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee
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WHAT’S Kia‘i Moku INSIDE? guarding the island Volume 8 Issue 1 Spring 2015 A Publication of the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee KISC Expands 1 KISC EXPANSION Ho‘omanawanui 2 Bill Lucey, KISC Manager Mongoose Update 3 For the first time since KISC’s inception our targets to a successful conclusion. The HISAW Awards: the team is fully staffed. In 2015 two new little fire ant is known to occur only atone Michelle Clark, USFWS 3 positions were added; a fully dedicated location in northern Kauai. Partnering with outreach coordinator and an early detection the Hawaii Ant Lab, MISC, the KISC crew and Earth Day 4,5 botanist. KISC now has eleven full-time HDOA’s Craig Kaneshige, we have brought employees addressing the complicated task this pest down to almost undetectable levels. Coqui Update 5 of invasive species management. The next In addition, KISC is partnering with PMRF, step is rewriting our organization’s strategic Tetra Tech and Pono Pacific, to eliminate Early Detection plan to provide guidance for our actions over all the adult Long Thorn Kiawe from the Botanist 6,7 the next five years. With new invasions base; this coupled with a partnership with Target Plant Updates 6,7 such as coffee borer and coconut rhinoceros Garden Island Racing to remove LTK along beetles just off our shores on Oahu we the racetrack will eliminate 90% of this must adapt to changing priorities and new pests range on Kauai. It is crew strength LFA 8,9 management methods quickly. Having a full and partnerships that lead to successful Most Valuable Partner: team of responders has created the capacity eradications. It took 15,000 working-hours Michelle Montgomery, HAL 9 to do so. to rid Kauai of naturalized coqui frogs. Species of Concern With more people we can also push farther Despite these successes, we must maintain on our current targets. As an example, KISC vigilance to prevent reintroductions. Coqui Pereskia aculeata 10 is partnering with the US Fish and Wildlife frogs are constantly reintroduced to the Name that Invasive 11 Service to bring an international panel of island via plant shipments from the Big experts to the island in August. This team Island, fireweed can arrive in truck tires Executive Committee 11 will look at mongoose management efforts and little fire ant colonies can live inside pacific-wide and offer recommendations for something as small as a Kukui nut. The job a population assessment and biosecurity is large, but Kauai has the advantage of small plan for Kauai. size, a deep channel separating us from the rest of the island chain and thousands of "A goal without a plan With a full staff, we can also bring some of aware citizens helping to report and control is just a wish" these unwanted visitors. -unknown Find the Stategic Planning Meeting Dates inside Page 2 continued on pg 6 KISC Hoʻomanawanui funders and partners (be patient and work with what you have) A & B Properties County of Kaua‘i Bill Lucey Coordinating Group of Alien Pest Species Project Manager DLNR - Division of Aquatic Resources I would like to welcome our new employees to the KISC family. With these new DLNR - Division of Forestry and folks our ability to help guard Kauai from new biological invasions has become Wildlife more effective and diversified. DLNR - State Parks Garden Island Resource Conservation and Development Grove Farm Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council Hui o Laka/Kokee Museum Invasive Species Committees Kaua‘i Albatross Network Kaua‘i Conservation Alliance Rachel Smith, Outreach Specialist joined KISC January 2015 Kaua‘i Coqui Frog Working Group Kaua‘i Department of Water Nathan Lagundino, Field Crew joined KISC January 2015 Kaua‘i Farm Bureau Kaua‘i Native Plant Society Kaua‘i Westside Watershed Council Kokee Resource Conservation Program Kukuiula Development, Inc. National Tropical Botanical Garden Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit Pacific Missile Range Facility Private citizens Vincent Vea, Field Crew Kelsey Brock, Early Detection Botanist Research Corporation of the joined KISC July 2014 joined KISC April 2015 University of Hawai‘i UH Rural Development Project Sea Grant KISC Strategic Planning Meetings The Nature Conservancy Hawai‘i University of Hawai‘i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human KISC will be hosting Strategic Planning meetings this summer to develop the first Resources KISC Strategic Plan. Please contact Tiffani Keanini ([email protected]) if you US Fish and Wildlife Service would like join any strategic planning committee. The strategic planning committee US Geological Survey PBIN meetings are scheduled as followed: USDA Forest Service • Terrestrial Plants Strategic Plan • Mongoose Strategic Plan USDA Natural Resource Conservation Service Meeting - June 30th Meeting - August (See USDA-APHIS-PPQ • Invertebrate & Vertebrate Strategic Mongoose update for details). USDA-APHIS-WS Plan Meeting - September • Aquatic Strategic Plan Meeting - July 2 Mongoose Update A mongoose summit meeting is planned for this year with predator control experts from US Fish and Wildlife and Amami Oshima Island in Japan. KISC received 11 mongoose sighting reports in the first 4 months of 2015. We have been currently working with the USFWS to refine our interview form and the credibility rating for each sighting. The mongoose summit will be focused on developing a plan for detection and introduction prevention of mongooses on Kauai and our unique situation. Improving biosecurity at our ports of entry is a main focus of our strategic plan. “Trapper Pat” Gmelin attended a tour of the new Nihoku predator proof fence project at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, and we hope to use similar techniques to prevent future mongoose hitchhikers. We have also been using game cameras along with trapping at sighting locations but have not yet gotten a picture of these elusive animals. We have documented many of Kauai's other animals raiding the mongoose bait including wild pigs (top photo), feral cats (bottom photo), wild chickens, rats, and loose dogs. Congratulations Michelle Clark! Michelle Clark, USFWS, was recognized at the 2015 Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Week Award Ceremony as the Kauaʻi County’s MVP. Michelle has been a strong local advocate in the mongoose detection and prevention efforts for Kauai. Michelle has initiated a review of mongoose prevention, detection and control issues for Kauai and networked with state, federal, and private organization staff to form a working group. Her efforts have led to an international summit on mongoose management bringing experts and knowledge from around the world to the benefit of both Kauai and statewide efforts. This meeting will generate a monitoring and prevention plan that will greatly increase the chances that Kauai remains mongoose free. Congratulations Michelle! 2015 HISAW Kauaʻi County's MVP 3 Earth Day for the Keiki Encouraging Conservation Stewardship through Outreach and Education Rachel Smith, KISC Outreach Specialist As the demand for conservation species, are federally listed. This is a the privilege of attending this year, and invasive species work grows in critical time to educate Hawaii’s youth have been excellent opportunities Hawaii, the importance of outreach about conservation and protection of for both KISC outreach staff, to reach and awareness continues to be an the native forests. These natural areas varying groups of kids, but also for influential component. The key to need to be sustained for the future the children to learn about so many success in conservation is public generations to enjoy and depend on. different organizations and their participation. This is not just true for Similarly, it is important the forest is importance on island. One event this adults and voting members of the able to depend on us year was especially public, but also for the youth of Hawaii. and future generations "The key to success in distinguishable, I have heard many adult residents to help preserve its and should be on Kauai explain the forest as they unique and delicate conservation is public noted as model for remember it when they were young. system. participation." future outreach and Most people do not have memories of education to children. invasive species occupying the natural Conservation nd areas they are so largely encompassing outreach and education has been On Wednesday April 22 NOAA staff today. Things have changed relatively rapidly expanding on Kauai. There are partnered with PMRF to hold an quickly. Therefore, if we are looking numerous valuable initiatives on the Earth Day Event for middle school to the future, as so often the field of State, Federal, and NGO levels that students on the west side of the conservation does, then it is children offer teachers and parents accessibility island. Organized by Jean Souza, Kauai that we need to focus outreach to. to environmental education for all Programs Coordinator and Sanctuary ages. Conservation educators have Volunteer Coordinator for NOAA, and Although Hawaii makes up less than become available for classroom and Roland Sagum, from PMRF, this event 0.2% of United States Land mass, more scout discussions, as well as for events was stellar. Beginning around 8.30, than 25% of the nations endangered on any day of the week. In just 2015 more than 250 students from Waimea species reside in Hawaii (KRCP). alone there have been many great Canyon Middle School and Ke Kula There are over 1,400 native plants in opportunities for children across the Niihau o Kekaha were shuttled onto Hawaii, and at least 200 are critically island to learn about conservation, the PMRF base, on a highly organized endangered, in and outside the schedule, to participate in beach clean meaning there classroom. Conservation ups, as well as a rotation of a dozen are less than 50 education is a huge interactive and educational booths individuals left in asset to Kauai children’s’ set up by various government and the wild (DLNR).