2022 Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month

February is Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month

Join us for one of the many opportunities below to learn more about invasive species by exploring the two wao (or realms) of wao Akua (upper forests) and wao Kanaka (lower valleys and urban areas), as well as the Kahakai (wetlands, ocean). Each week we will learn from the different people working in these wao, the invasive species impacting them, and what you can do to help.  Look for the tag #HISAM22 on Instagram and Facebook for more live events and activities. Subscribe to the HISC Youtube and follow the HISAM 22 playlist to watch any presentations you missed live.

2022 Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month Awardees

Recognizing people and organizations from across the state for their efforts to protect Hawaiʻi from invasive species. Click on the links below to see the award videos for each awardee. Learn about the 2022 awardees’ stories in this story map.

Full playlist of HISAM 2022 award videos. 

WEEK 1: FEATURING TALKS FROM WAO AKUA

Photo: Nate Yuen

Tuesday, February 1st Time 9:00 am – Hālau ʻŌhiʻa HISAM Opening Ceremony What are the wao? What do they have to do with invasive species? Why does this matter to me? We explore these questions and more during our opening ceremony for HISAM with the help of Hālau ʻŌhia to set an intention for the month and start our exploration of these different landscapes and our role. Please join with through Facebook live: https://www.facebook.com/halauohia/live

Tuesday, February 1st from 11:00 am-12:00 pm – Maui Watershed Partnership Panel Representatives from Mauna Kahalawai, East Maui Watershed Partnership, Leeward Haleakalā Watershed Restoration Partnership- Chelsea Arnott (HISC) moderator. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Wednesday, February 2nd from 11:30 am-12:15 pm – Hui Kāhuli, Rushing to Save Hawai‘i’s Iconic Land Snails: DLNR Wildlife Biologist David Sischo, presents on the endemic land snails of Hawaiʻi and his programʻs work at the Snail Extinction Prevention Program. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Thursday, February 3rd from 10:00-10:30 am – Fencelines, Ungulates, and Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death UH Professor, Ryan Perroy, and USDA Scientist, Flint Hughes, talk about the relationship between fences that keeping out hooved animals and how that helps reduce the occurrence of Rapid ‘Ōhiʻa Death. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Thursday, February 3rd from 2:00-2:30 pm – Three ways to participate in Hawaii’s law-making process Learn more about how you can participate in the law-making process through the conservation lense with Kailee Lefebrve from the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS). Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 4th from 1:00-1:30 pm – Birds, Not Mosquitoes: How mosquito surveys on Kaua’i will inform this strategy to save Hawai’i’s forest birds Learn more about the multi-agency work to save Hawaii’s forest birds. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 4th – Huakaʻi wao akua in Kōkeʻe Take a walk with Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee (KISC) in the wao akua of Kōkeʻe park. @kauaiisc on Instagram or Facebook

WEEK 2 & 3: FEATURING TALKS FROM WAO KANAKA

Photo: Kahului Harbor

Monday, February 7th 12:00-12:25 pm  – An Update of Coqui Control Efforts by the Maui Invasive Species Committee Learn about Maui Invasive Species Committee’s efforts in controlling invasive coqui frog populations and our work with the Maui community to help them take back their quiet nights. Presented by Susan Frett, Community Coqui Control Coordinator and Acting Coqui Control Coordinator (MISC). Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Tuesday, February 8th 1:00-2:00 pm – A Landscape Perspective on Fire & Invasive Species in Hawaiʻi This presentation will focus on the grass-fire cycle at the landscape scale to describe the scale of the challenge at hand, the contributions of historical and social change, and examples of how people are working together to deal with it. Presented by Clay Trauernicht, Wildland Fire Specialist (University of Hawaiʻi Cooperative Extension) Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Wednesday, February 9th 1:00-2:00 pm – Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Treatments  Presented by Kaili Kosaka and Koki Atcheson, outreach specialists (CRB Response) Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Wednesday, February 9th 6:00-7:00 pm – What’s in my backyard? A Guide to Plant Identification. Keep it or not?! In this webinar, Plant Pono specialist Molly Murphy will lead you through the characteristics botanists use to describe plants, and show you how to use the free tools available to help ID them. Finally put a name to that mystery plant that showed up in your backyard! Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE 

Thursday, February 10th 11:00 am-12:00 pm – Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) Early Detection Training Join Maui Invasive Species Manager, Adam Radford, for a training on invasive species. Learn about some of the most harmful invasive species not yet established on Maui, why it’s important to catch them early, how to identify them, and where to report. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE 

Thursday, February 10th 6:00-7:00 pm – Be on the Look Out-  Emergent Pests in Hawaiʻi From Ramie Moths to Tree Daisy… Join OISC outreach team to learn about some of the most concerning emergent pests, where they’ve been detected, why they are problematic, and how to identify and report them. Presented by Erin Bishop and Jamie Miller from the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC). Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 11th 11:00 am-12:00 pm – Invasive Species Control Work in The Nature Conservancy’s Kānepuʻu Preserve, Lānaʻi Learn what The Nature Conservancy is doing to control invasive pests and save the native dryland forest. Presented by Kekoa Gurat, Lanaʻi field technician (TNC Hawaiʻi). Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 11th, TBD – Virtual Huakaʻi Wao Kanaka Take a virtual walk with Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee (KISC) and visit with little fire ants, Miconia, and bootbrushes. @kauaiisc on Instagram or Facebook

Monday, February 14, 10:30 – 11:00 am – KISC 20th Anniversary Success stories webinar. Join us for reflection of the work of KISC over the last 20 years! Learn about the tremendous success stories of projects that have eradicated and protected Kaua’i from major invasive species such as pampas grass, coqui, fireweed, and our ongoing efforts on Miconia. Missed this talk? Link to video will be posted soon. 

Tuesday, February 15, 10:30-10:55 am – It’s Working! An update on aerial treatments of Maui’s largest little fire ant infestation. Join Brooke Mahnken, LFA coordinator and data manager (MISC) to learn about the pilot project two years ago in battling itʻs biggest little fire ant population in a remote east Maui location. Using helicopters to spray bait aimed at sterilizing ant queens, MISC staff conducted surveys during the pandemic to assess if the treatments have been successful- and it’s working! Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Wednesday, February 16, 10:00-10:45 am – As The Blob Grows: How Little Fire Ants Move In this presentation, learn from LFA crew member, Katherine Marlin, about how little fire ants spread and how you can help stop the ant. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Wednesday, February 16, 6:00-7:00 pm – Twolined Spittlebug in Hawaiʻi – Research Update In this webinar, join Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) and the teams working on TLSB will provide an update of what we’ve learned about TLSB in Hawaii so far, what approaches are being taken to mitigate the impacts of TLSB, and plans for the future to help our island ranchers weather the storm of this devastating insect invasion. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Thursday, February 17 from 2:00–3:00 pm – 2021 Maui Pampas Work – A Year In Review Maui Invasive Species Committee Field Technicians, Billy Pacheco and Ross Kamimoto, will present on pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata) efforts on Maui for the 2021 season. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 18 from 10:00-11:00 am – New Detections and Rapid Response: MISC 2022 Update Early Detection and Rapid Response (EDRR) is crucial to stopping the spread of new and emerging invasive species before they become established. Learn about the Maui Invasive Species Committee’s past and current EDRR efforts with Operations Manager, Adam Knox. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE

Friday, February 18 from 7:00 pm -8:00 pm. Native Hawaiian Plant Society Presentation on Internship at Haleakalā National Park with Sebastian Sievert. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE 

WEEK 4: FEATURING TALKS FROM KAHAKAI

Photo: DLNR DAR

Tuesday, February 22, 9:00–10:00 am – Aquatic Invasive Species prevention and management on Oʻahu Join DAR biologist, Lizzy Monaghan, to learn more about the two biggest pathways of aquatic pest introductions, ballast water and biofouling, and the work of the Division of Aquatic Resources to manage aquatic invasive species. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE.

Tuesday, February 22nd from 10:00-11:00 am – The new kid on the block: the limu Chondria tumulosa Invasive species biologist, Heather Spalding, talks about a new invasive algae found in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands and why we should be worried. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE.

Tuesday, February 22nd, 6:00 pm – Turning off the tap: Working in partnership to address cat overpopulation in Hawaiʻi Join us to learn more about how NOAA scientists, conservation specialists, and animal welfare advocates came together to address the source causes of pet overpopulation and promote a common message about responsible cat ownership. Missed this talk? Check back soon for the recording link. 

Wednesday, February 23rd, 9:00–10:00 am – How Hawaii’s risks and opportunities are unique in the realm of forest pests  Learn about the risk firewood poses to spreading pests and some of the work on the mainland to address the spread of pests on firewood with TNC Forest Health Program Director, North America Region, Leigh Greenwood. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE. 

Wednesday, February 23rd, 2:00– 2:30 pm – I Ola Kanaloa! Restoring and Revitalizing Kahoʻolawe This presentation will touch on the history of Kahoʻolawe, as well as the past, current and future efforts to restore and revitalize the Reserve for the people of Hawaiʻi and the world with Maggie Pulver, Public Information Specialist  from Kaho’olawe Island Reserve Commission. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE. 

Thursday, February 24th, 9:00–12:00 pm – Maui Mauka Conservation Awareness Training Guest speaker James Friday who will provide a deep dive into the topic of Rapid ʻŌhia Death (ROD). Learn more and sign up for the training here!

Thursday, February 24th, 12:30–1:30 pm – Toxoplasmosis impacts on the Hawaiian Monk Seal Toxoplasmosis, a disease caused by the parasite Toxoplasmosis gondii, has been identified as a cause of death for a number of Hawaiian monk seals. In this talk, NOAA monk seal researchers Stacie Robinson and Angela Amlin will share what’s been learned about toxoplasmosis in monk seals and how the parasite moves through our island ecosystem. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE. 

Thursday, February 24th, 2:30–3:00 pm – Upside-down mangrove jellyfish control at Kaunakakai Wharf on Molokaʻi Join Molokai/Maui Invasive Species Committee Staff, Lori Buchanan, Kamalani Pali, Tyson Pactol, Kawehi Soares, and Mahina Poepoe, to learn about the invasive, stinging, upside down jellyfish and the efforts to control this pest at Kaunakakai Wharf. Missed this talk? Check out the recording HERE. 

Friday, Feb 25, 4:00 – 5:00 p.m. – Forest Friday Talk Story: Is ʻŌhiʻa Worth Saving? Join Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee and Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project to learn more about ʻōhiʻa’s role in our world and how Kauaʻi is managing the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Missed this event? Check back here for a link. 

Friday, February 25th TIME TBD – Virtual Huakaʻi  Kahakai Tune in @kauaiisc on Instagram and Facebook for the KISC virtual Huakaʻi Kahakai with Hawaiʻi Land Trust (HILT) and Department of Aquatic Resources (DAR)

Monday, February 28th at 12:00 pm – Hālau ʻŌhiʻa HISAM Closing Ceremony Join us for the closing ceremony for HISAM with the help of Hālau ʻŌhia.  Closing ceremony recording. 

Throughout the month look for the tag #HISAM22 for more live events and activities.

Check out these volunteer opportunities in your community! Be safe and read all requirements to join

February 3, 6, 17 & 19, 9:00 – 3:00 – Waimea Valley (Oʻahu)- Hānai ‘āina Conservation Workday Invasive Species removal, Ages 12 and up, To RSVP for a volunteer event, send the date, event you wish to attend and number of people in your group to: [email protected] or sign up through the volunteer events calendar here: www.waimeavalley.net/volunteer

Friday, February 4- 8:45 – 12pm – Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (Hawaiʻi)- Stewardship at the Summit. Meet us outside Kīlauea Visitor Center at 8:45 a.m. Wear sturdy hiking shoes and long pants. Bring a hat, raingear, day pack, snacks and water. Gloves and tools are provided. More info on this event and other invasive species related volunteer opportunites: www.nps.gov/havo/planyourvisit/calendar.htm

Wednesday, February 9, 8:30 – 10:30 – Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (Maui)-  Weed and Pot Club– Weed in the native and canoe plant gardens for one hour and transplant in the nursery for one hour, learn about native plants, and meet others. Please wear shoes that cover your feet, a mask, and bring a refillable water bottle and clean garden gloves. Volunteers are required to fill out a waiver and show proof of vaccination to participate.

Friday, February 11, 8:45am – 12pm- Hui o Koʻolaupoko (Oʻahu)-Kaha Native Plant Garden. Remove invasive species at the garden right outside Kawanui Marsh RSVP to [email protected]

Saturday, February 12 – Mālama Puʻuloa (Oʻahu)- Mangrove Removal at Kapapapuhi Park- www.malamapuuloa.org/volunteer.html

February 13 & 26, 9:00 – 11:30 – Waimea Valley (Oʻahu)-  Ohana Volunteer Day To RSVP for a volunteer event, send the date, event you wish to attend and number of people in your group to: [email protected] or sign up through the volunteer events calendar

Wednesday, February 16, 8:30 – 10:30 – Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (Maui)-  Weed and Pot Club– Weed in the native and canoe plant gardens for one hour and transplant in the nursery for one hour, learn about native plants, and meet others. Please wear shoes that cover your feet, a mask, and bring a refillable water bottle and clean garden gloves. Volunteers are required to fill out a waiver and show proof of vaccination to participate.

Friday, February 18, 9:00- 12:00 pm – Maui Nui Botanical Gardens (Maui)- Kō Workshop with Noa Lincoln. Learn about new resources for identifying Hawaiian heritage sugarcane cultivars and join us in a tasting of several varieties. Registration and details are posted at https://mnbg.org/calendar/

Saturday, February 19, 8:00- 12:00 pm- Hawaiian Islands Land Trust (Maui)- Waihe’e Coastal Dunes and Wetland refuge work day.

Saturday, February 19, 8:00 am start- Protect and Preserve (Oʻahu)- You’re Invited to Mauka Missions (Manoa Cliffs) Beginner *Possibly Muddy * Register here.  More info at: https://www.protectpreservehi.org/

Thursday, February 24, 8:45 – 12:00 pm- Hui o Koʻolaupoko (Oʻahu)- Heʻeia Estuary Restoration. Remove invasive mangrove and restore help Heʻeia Estuary. More information here.

Saturday, February 26, 8:15 – 12:00 pm- Hui o Koʻolaupoko (Oʻahu)- Kawanui Marsh Restoration. Help restore Kawainui Marsh, Hawai‘i’s largest wetland, which is threatened by overgrowth of invasive plants such as bulrush, cattail, water hyacinth and water lettuce. More information here.

Saturday, February 26, 8:00 am start- Protect and Preserve (Oʻahu)- You’re Invited to SuperChill Saturdays Pia Valley. Register here. More info at: https://www.protectpreservehi.org/

Saturday, February 26, Hawaiian Islands Land Trust- The Sanctuary Ocean Count is a signature education outreach and citizen science project that the Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary hosts annually. Ocean Count serves to promote public awareness about humpback whales, the sanctuary, and shore-based whale watching opportunities in the Hawaiian Islands. The count is conducted three times per year during peak whale season and provides a snapshot of humpback whales sightings from the shoreline. https://oceancount.org/

Sunday, February 27- SHARKastics (Maui)- Kaʻehu Beach Clean up. RSVP in advance to sharkastics.org/events.html