Island-based Partnerships and Statewide Coordination to Protect Hawai‘i from Invasive Species 2008 Report MOLOKA‘I/MAUI INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE AQUATIC INVASIVE SPECIES TEAM 1 This page left intentionally blank 2 ISLAND-BASED PARTNERSHIPS & STATEWIDE COORDINATION TO PROTECT HAWAI‘I FROM INVASIVE SPECIES TABLE OF CONTENTS Safeguarding Hawai‘i from Invasive Species…………………………...….……4 Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee………………………………….…………..5 O‘ahu Invasive Species Committee…………………………………….……….12 Maui Invasive Species Committee……………………………………………...20 Moloka‘i/Maui Invasive Species Committee……………………………….…..28 Big Island Invasive Species Committee………………………………………...34 Division of Aquatic Resources/Aquatic Invasive Species Team…………….....42 Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species………………………………….....47 Data and Funding……………………………………………………….… …51 Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council………………………………………..…….52 Priority Target Species……………………………………………………....….55 3 SAFEGUARDING HAWAI‘I FROM INVASIVE SPECIES The continuing introduction of invasive species into Hawai‘i threatens the survival of the state’s unique flora and fauna, costs local farmers money in crop losses and pest control spending, depresses sectors of the state’s economy and harms human health. Over the years, state and federal programs have arisen piecemeal to address specific pest concerns, resulting in an array of programs with limited scope and lacking in comprehensive coordination. Two separate reports found that Hawai‘i’s alien pest problem was the worst in the nation due to the lack of a coordinated and comprehensive program to address the issue (1992 report by The Nature Conservancy (TNC) and National Resources Defense Council (NRDC); 1994 report by the U.S. Office of Technology Assessment (OTA)). The development of a comprehensive program requires acknowledging the existence of numerous gaps in agency authorities and policies, the commitment of leaders to fix the system, and secure funding that will allow these programs to succeed. A comprehensive protection program should consist of the following measures: Prevention: This is the most economical and effective measure for protecting Hawai‘i. Adequate prevention should include laws preventing importation of plant and animal pests, enforceable penalties, thorough inspection at all ports of entry, interisland quarantine measures to prevent intrastate spread, and clear, non-conflicting agency mandates and jurisdictions. Early Detection and Rapid Response: Even with the best prevention systems, pests will get through. Clear mandates and set protocols are needed for monitoring, early detection and rapid response; both for new pests around ports of entry and for incipient pests on public and private lands and in aquatic environments. Ongoing Control of Existing Pests: Some pests are considered too widespread to eradicate but require ongoing control to protect natural resources. Needed action includes research into biocontrol for some species, and active, on-the-ground control of others. HAWAI‘I’S INVASIVE SPECIES PARTNERSHIPS In the past decade, partnerships and groups have arisen to address significant gaps in Hawai‘i’s biosecurity system. They include Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) to provide cabinet-level leadership; the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) for interagency and NGO communications and collaborative projects; the Aquatic Invasive Species Team (AIS Team) for prevention, early detection and control of invasive marine and freshwater species statewide; and the Invasive Species Committees (ISCs) for island-based rapid response and on-the-ground control. Committees comprised of partner agencies oversee each group and this support is key to the successes described in this report. CGAPS and all the ISCs are projects of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit of the University of Hawai‘i and would not exist without their support. Complete partner lists for the AIST, CGAPS and the ISCs are listed within each section. 4 KAUA‘I INVASIVE SPECIES COMMITTEE (KISC) PROJECT STRATEGY The Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee (KISC) is a voluntary partnership of government, private and non-profit organizations, and concerned individuals. The partnership works to prevent, eliminate or control the most threatening invasive plant and animal species in order to preserve Kaua‘i’s native bio-diversity and minimize adverse ecological, economic, and social impacts. KISC collaborates with other island invasive species committees to ensure that the most effective work methods and protocols are being used. Strategies focused this year on early detection of plants, insects, and disease. 2008 HIGHLIGHTS • Continued to implement strategic plan for miconia in Kaua‘i’s one known infestation area. There have been no mature plants detected since December 2004. • Worked with partner agencies to prevent establishment of newly arrived coqui frogs. Reduced existing population to “countable” numbers. • Conducted surveillance for West Nile Virus and Avian Influenza by responding to dead bird reports across the county. • Continued ongoing surveys of island nurseries for little fire ant, stinging nettle caterpillar and coqui presence. 5 EARLY DETECTION & RAPID RESPONSE As each island has invasive species unique to that island; it is of high priority to rapidly respond to reports of any new species on Kaua‘i as well as new locations of priority species. Strategies this year focused on building early detection programs as well as following up on past efforts. Delimiting surveys for incipient invasive plants, nursery re-surveys for little fire ant (LFA), nettle caterpillar, and coqui frogs, and dead bird pick-ups were all projects that involved partnering with many different groups and agencies on Kaua‘i. An island-wide roadside survey was conducted in late 2007 for incipient plant pests. This survey utilized a plant pest list that was compiled by a panel of experts on Kaua‘i using information available not only across the state, but throughout the Pacific, of invasive species that are likely to introduced to the island. This survey involved driving all primary, secondary and tertiary roads from Ke‘e to Mana as well as high into Koke‘e State Park. Findings of this survey were evaluated and introduced to KISC at the annual strategic planning meeting held in January. Further surveys to delimit the extent of any populations are underway with some limited species being eradicated. This “first strike” offensive strategy to quickly eliminate newly arrived plants will not only result in cost-savings, but prevent these species from becoming established and impossible to eradicate. 6 Surveys also continued this year, in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) at island nurseries. Agricultural pests known to be on other islands (including little fire ant, nettle caterpillar, and coqui frog) are of grave concern to nurserymen, landscapers, and horticulturalists on Kaua‘i. By conducting surveys for these pests, year-round, they can be detected early and prevented from establishing or moving intra-island. To date, no new infestations have been detected for these insect pests, but several new arrivals of coqui frogs have been detected and eliminated. KISC continued this year with contracts with the Hawai‘i Department of Health (HDOH) as well as the US Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) to assist with early detection of West Nile virus and avian influenza. An advertising campaign requesting the public to report dead birds for testing, by calling 211 or reporting online (www.gotdeadbird.org), was implemented state-wide. Reports of dead birds were then followed up by KISC personnel who are dispatched to retrieve the carcasses and either deliver them to HDOH or ship them to Honolulu for necropsy and testing for these viruses. Neither of these pathogens has been detected in Hawai‘i. This year’s aerial survey focused on detecting the extent of a known population of fountain grass (Pennisetum setaceum) on the south side of Kaua‘i. Currently, this population exists in a hard- to-access area in steep terrain. To contain it, it is important to detect whether it is escaping into the surrounding area. Research is under way to establish methods for addressing discovered escapees that are cliff-side just west of this population. After an outreach and education talk given at a north shore library, a report came into KISC regarding an invasive water fern. Upon survey of the area, two other invasive species were found on Kilauea River: Giant Salvinia (Salvinia molesta) and cattail (Typha latifolia); both were quickly treated and are currently under scheduled monitoring. Another success garnered by diligent field-work has been the eradication of fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) from a site near Halfway Bridge. KISC and HDOA continue to monitor this KISC crewmember, Larry Kaneholani, site and have not found any plants for the last three pulling Salvinia molesta from water years. KISC received one report of fireweed at Kukui o Lono Park, but a survey revealed that it was not this particular invasive pest. With the establishment of the new state-wide pest hotline (643-PEST) and an increase in media campaigns advertising it, all calls that are referred to KISC are followed up as soon as possible. Coqui, dead birds, fire ants, and miconia are the top species responded to annually. 7 TARGET SPECIES Miconia (Miconia calvescens) Currently, Kaua‘i’s known population of miconia (Miconia calvescens) is limited to roughly 3,500 acres in the Wailua District. Most of