Biocontrol Pays Off: The Economic Benefits of Managing Invasive Species in Hawaiʻi

Posted on Oct 23, 2025 in brownbag, News, slider

HISC Brown Bag Presentation Series #37

Update (November 6, 2025):
This HISC Brown Bag webinar’s date has been changed to Thursday, November 13th @ Noon.

Cost-Effective Invasive Species Management: Biocontrol in Hawaiʻi Delivers High Return on Investment

Presenters:
Conrad Newfield, University of Hawaiʻi Economic Research Organization (UHERO)
Christopher A. Wada, UHERO
Kimberly Burnett, UHERO

Date: Thursday, November 13th @ Noon ⬅️Note: new Date

Zoom Webinar Registration: Click here to register via Zoom

Livestream: Watch live on the HISC Support YouTube Channel; the recording will be archived on the HISC Brown Bag Playlist.

Session Overview

How cost-effective is biocontrol in Hawaiʻi? UHERO economists will co-present new analyses showing that biological control can deliver strong economic returns while reducing impacts to agriculture, native ecosystems, and communities.

Drawing on historical data, expert interviews, and cost-benefit modeling, the team evaluates biocontrol efforts targeting three high-priority invasive species: coffee berry borer (Hypothenemus hampei), erythrina gall wasp (Quadrastichus erythrinae), and fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis). Results point to high return on investment (ROI) for ongoing and proposed programs and offer practical guidance for prioritizing future interventions.

Read more at the UHERO blog post on this research. 

Missed the livestream?
A recording will be posted following the event on the HISC Brown Bag YouTube Playlist.