Rapid Ohia Death is on Kauai!

Rapid ‘Ohi’a death (ROD) is an identified fungal disease currently attacking and killing ‘ohi’a on the island of Hawai’i, Kauai, Maui & Oahu.  In May of 2018,within the Moloa’a Forest Reserve, 5 infected ROD trees were discovered by DOFAW Kauai’s Botanist Adam Williams.  

Since then, ROD has been discovered in several more areas across the island, with approximately 106 trees now identified as positive for the fungus. Kauai DOFAW has a designated Forestry crew continually working on sampling suspect trees. There is minimal “management” that can be done to stop the fungus once a tree is positive, but reducing the spread is a high priority. Follow this link (Rapid’ Ohia Death-UH Manoa) to find out more about what YOU can do to prevent the spread of this fungus to our precious Ohia trees. 

Pictures Provided By Kyle Kagimoto/ DOFAW Kauai’s Invasive Species Technician