February 2020 is the 8th annual Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM), as proclaimed by Hawai’i Governor David Ige at a ceremony at the State Capitol on February 14. HISAM is coordinated by the interagency Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council (HISC) and includes awards and volunteer events across the state.
View the proclamation HERE
The Hawaii State Legislature has declared invasive species to be “the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawaii’s people,” and HISAM seeks to promote public engagement on this important topic. Community events occurring throughout the month can be found at https://hisc.hawaii.gov. Some events include both educational presentations and volunteer workdays controlling invasive plants and restoring native forests and nearshore waters. Other events include weeding in Napuʻu Natural Area Reserve on Hawaiʻi Island, learning about little fire ant at talk story events on Maui, or attending the Symphony of Hawaiian Birds on Kauai.