A new study led by a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa researcher shows that avian malaria can be transmitted by nearly all forest bird species in �鶹��ý, helping explain why the disease is present almost everywhere mosquitoes are found across the islands.

The research, , found avian malaria at 63 of 64 sites tested statewide, including areas with very different bird communities. The disease, caused by generalist parasite Plasmodium relictum, is a major driver of population declines and extinctions in native Hawaiian honeycreepers.

“Avian malaria has taken a devastating toll on �鶹��ý’s native forest birds, and this study shows why the disease has been so difficult to contain,” said Christa M. Seidl, mosquito research and control coordinator for the , who conducted this research as part of her PhD at the University of California, Santa Cruz. “When so many bird species can quietly sustain transmission, it narrows the options for protecting native birds and makes mosquito control not just helpful, but essential.”

Impact, spread of avian malaria

Avian malaria weakens birds by damaging red blood cells, often leading to anemia, organ failure, reduced survival and, in some species, death. For example, reports and studies have shown that mainly because of avian malaria, or scarlet honeycreeper show a 90% mortality rate if infected, and the , a Hawaiian honeycreeper endemic to Kauaʻi, is now considered extinct in the wild.

Unlike many diseases where only a few species play a major role in spreading infection, the study found that most bird species in �鶹��ý—both native and non-native—are at least moderately capable of infecting southern house mosquitoes, avian malaria’s primary vector. Even birds carrying very low levels of the parasite were able to pass the disease to mosquitoes. As a result, many different bird communities can support ongoing malaria transmission.

“We often understandably think first of the birds when we think of avian malaria, but the parasite needs mosquitoes to reproduce and our work highlights just how good it has gotten at infecting them through many different birds,” Seidl said.

The study analyzed blood samples from more than 4,000 birds across Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Maui and �鶹��ý Island and combined the data with laboratory experiments measuring how easily mosquitoes became infected after feeding on birds. Researchers found that introduced and native birds often had overlapping levels of infectiousness, meaning both groups can contribute to disease spread. Also, because individual birds can harbor chronic avian malaria infections for months to many years, the researchers estimated this long period when birds are low to moderately infectious drives most of disease transmission.

The broad ability of avian malaria to infect and spread likely explains why the disease is so widespread across the islands. The findings also suggest there are few, if any, mosquito-infested habitats that are free from transmission risk. To make matters worse, mosquito-free habitats are rapidly disappearing as warming temperatures allow both mosquitoes and avian malaria to develop in former refuges.

Seidl and the Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project are part of Birds, Not Mosquitoes, a partnership of academic, state, federal, non-profit and industry partners facilitating mosquito control for Hawaiian bird conservation.

The Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project is housed under the in the . All birds featured were captured and handled in accordance with state/federal permits by trained ornithologists.

A rare North American bumble bee may have been on a path toward extinction long before modern human impacts, suggesting that its long-term genetic vulnerability made it especially fragile and less able to cope with both past and current environmental stresses. The findings of the new study were published in the on October 20, and co-authored by a University of �鶹��ý at Mānoa researcher.

The study focused on the Franklin bumble bee, once found only in parts of Oregon and California and last seen alive in 2006. Using DNA extracted from museum specimens collected over the past 40 years, scientists reconstructed the species’ genetic history to understand why it disappeared.

They found that the bees had very low genetic diversity and signs of inbreeding that dated back thousands of years. Population declines began during a glacial period and worsened in recent centuries, and may have been influenced by natural stressors such as drought and wildfire. Contrary to earlier hypotheses, researchers found little genetic evidence linking disease or pesticide exposure to the bee’s disappearance.

The Franklin bumble bee’s small population size and limited genetic diversity left it vulnerable long before modern human impacts, making it less able to cope with environmental stresses such as drought, fire or other natural challenges.

“Bumble bees are essential for pollinators of wild flowers and food crops important to human nutrition across the planet,” said study co-author Jonathan Berenguer Uhuad Koch, an associate professor and co-principal investigator in UH ����ԴDz�’s (PCSU). “In �鶹��ý, where native pollinators are also under pressure from habitat loss, invasive species and climate change, the study offers broader lessons on how genetic factors can shape species’ resilience and extinction risk.”

The research also highlights the value of museum collections as a tool for modern conservation. By sequencing DNA from the tissues of preserved specimens, scientists can uncover how population sizes change over time and identify which species may be most at risk in the future. The study was led by a team of researchers from multiple U.S. institutions, including UH Mānoa, and underscores the importance of identifying the long-term biological and environmental factors that shape pollinator declines.

Koch credited the late Robbin W. Thorp as a key mentor who inspired his career in pollinator conservation. Koch met Thorp while in graduate school and joined him in the field searching for the Franklin bumble bee, an experience that shaped his lifelong commitment to understanding and protecting endangered bee species.

PCSU is housed in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s .

The University of �鶹��ý at ��ā�ԴDz�’s and the (PEPP) in UH ��ā�ԴDz�’s joined forces with Honolulu Beerworks to host “Sips for Seedlings,” an outreach and fundraising event on October 11, at Honolulu Beerworks’ new Kalihi taproom.

The event, which drew more than 200 people, spotlighted efforts to protect �鶹��ý’s most endangered native plants, while inviting the community to learn more through hands-on engagement and collaboration.

Attendees enjoyed the re-release of Hāhā-Loha, a limited-edition grape sour ale inspired by the conservation of rare Hawaiian plants. The beer was originally created through a partnership among the three organizations to spark public interest in native plant protection. A portion of proceeds from beer sales, as well as contributions from Shaka Mobile Bar and Local Boiz Mixed Tea, supported ongoing conservation and education work at Lyon Arboretum and PEPP.

Throughout the day, Lyon Arboretum staff shared educational materials, photographs and displays highlighting the islands’ threatened flora. Visitors also had the opportunity to purchase plants grown by the arboretum and participate in keiki-friendly activities designed to foster awareness of native ecosystems.

“Our goal is to make conservation approachable and engaging for everyone,” said Lyon Arboretum Education Manager Raedelle Van Fossen. “Events like ‘Sips for Seedlings’ remind our community that protecting �鶹��ý’s native plants isn’t just about science—it’s about connection, culture and ensuring these species have a future in our islands.”

The Hāhā-Loha label featured artwork by UH Hilo alumna and former Lyon Arboretum summer intern Saxony Charlot, whose work celebrates �鶹��ý’s biodiversity and the people dedicated to preserving it.

Nearly all little fire ants along the Lanikai loop in Windward Oʻahu are on track for eradication thanks to the efforts of University of �鶹��ý researchers working with community members.

During an assessment in February 2024, dozens of locations along the Lanikai loop and beach areas were found to harbor invasive little fire ants. Researchers with the and , both in the in the UH ����ԴDz� , conducted a large-scale treatment effort over 26 acres to combat the infestation. Between March 2024 and January 2025, ant baits were applied eight times across affected areas. To assess the extent of the invasion, more than 3,600 ant samples were collected, and treatment was carried out at 85 residences and 1.5 acres of the beach.

The latest survey, conducted in February 2025, collected more than 2,000 samples, with only a single ant detected. The affected area was immediately re-treated, and the project has now entered a long-term monitoring phase to ensure the infestation does not resume.

“This project demonstrates that with persistence, community involvement and science-based treatments, we can effectively control little fire ants,” said �鶹��ý Ant Lab Manager Michelle Montgomery. “Continued monitoring and stable funding are essential to ensure these invasive pests do not return and threaten our ecosystems again.”

To be considered fully eradicated, no little fire ants can be detected for a minimum of three consecutive years. Since the ants were first identified in Lanikai in 2019, residents have struggled to manage infestations, with limited resources making large-scale control efforts difficult.

Little fire ants are a highly invasive pest known for their painful stings, which can harm people, pets and wildlife while disrupting ecosystems.

The �鶹��ý Ant Lab and Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee continue to support community-driven little fire ant control efforts across �鶹��ý. Both organizations rely on funding from the �鶹��ý Invasive Species Council, the Department of Land and Natural Resources, the Department of Defense, and other government and non-profit sources. Officials stress that stable, long-term funding is crucial to ensuring sustained efforts to eliminate invasive species and protect local ecosystems and communities.

The University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�, in partnership with state and local organizations, will establish a joint facility for two major bird conservation programs on Kauaʻi, following the state Board of Land and Natural Resources’ approval of a land transfer on January 10.

The 25-year, no-cost lease grants UH ����ԴDz�’s (PCSU), housed in the , use of a former dog pound site in Hanapēpē. The facility will bring together the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project and the Kauaʻi Endangered Seabird Recovery Project under one roof.

“Our mission is to protect and restore �鶹��ý’s native species, ecosystems, and cultural resources,” said PCSU Director Shaya Honarvar. “The forest bird and seabird recovery projects on Kauaʻi epitomize this mission by combining research and conservation of federally and state protected native birds; some of which would already be extinct without the intervention of the project’s talented and dedicated teams.”

Crucial timing

The facility comes at a critical time as the forest bird project has doubled its budget and staff in response to declining bird populations and advancements in addressing mosquito-borne diseases. The shared space will also provide the seabird program, previously operating from a shipping container, with a permanent home.

Lisa “Cali” Crampton, who leads the Kauaʻi Forest Bird Recovery Project, said the combined facility will enhance collaboration between the programs.

“This allows us to share staff knowledge and skills more easily,” Crampton said. “A major synergy will be having space for cross-training, not only with our seabird partners, but also with our DLNR (Department of Land and Natural Resources) colleagues. There are many overlaps between various types of avian research and conservation, so being together provides great learning opportunities.”

The (RCUH) recognized 21 employees for their contributions to research at UH in a ceremony held in November.

Researcher/Project Manager Category

• First Place: , �鶹��ý Wildlife Ecology Lab, UH ����ԴDz� College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resilience (CTAHR)
• Second Place: , Kauaʻi Invasive Species Committee, UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit
• Honorable Mentions:
  , grants office, Kapiʻolani Community College
  , Soil Health, Environment, and Ecosystem Resilience Lab, UH ����ԴDz� CTAHR

Project Support Staff Category

• First Place: , Center for Resilient Neighborhoods, Kapiʻolani CC
• Second Place: , GEAR UP and Kūlia ma Kapiʻolani, Kapiʻolani CC
• Honorable Mentions:
  , Curriculum Research and Development Group, UH ����ԴDz� College of Education
  , Center for Excellence in Learning, Teaching and Technology, Kapiʻolani CC

Teams Category

• First Place: (Jon Avery, Jerard “Ziggy” Jardin, Jason Klem, Nikolai Turetsky), UH ����ԴDz� School of Ocean and Earth Science and Technology (SOEST)
• Second Place: (Marco Castro, Dylan Moniz), UH Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit
• Honorable Mentions:
  (Emily Contreras, Nan Himmelsbach, Andrea Lee Schmidt), SOEST
  (Douglas Astrande, Tracy Miyashiro, Travis Perez, Aaron Zimmer), UH Institute for Astronomy

Nominees were evaluated on:

• Initiative taken to develop the achievement or to advance the project.
• Leadership and resourcefulness in implementing the achievement or to advance the project.
• Impact of achievement on the project, professional field, and/or larger community.
• Other information on the importance, significance, and/or quality of the achievement.

In response to recent discoveries of illegal releases from private marine aquariums across the state, the University of �鶹��ý and other organizations launched an awareness campaign, “,” aimed at stopping this unlawful behavior.

The campaign is spearheaded by Christy Martin, program manager of the (CGAPS), a project of the UH ����ԴDz� housed in the UH ����ԴDz� .

One instance of an aquarium release involved the illegal soft coral known as “pulse coral” or “pulsing xenia” (Unomia stolonifera). It has spread from what is believed to be the initial release site to now occupy a nearly 80-acre footprint near the mouth of Pearl Harbor.

Some marine aquarium releases are thought to be from hobbyists that were not aware of no-kill and rehoming alternatives, possible harm to the environment, or that the species released were illegal to import and possess.

The has also responded to several public reports of non-native or suspicious marine species of hard corals and anemones that appear to have been purposefully outplanted from illegal aquariums into nearshore environments by hobbyists, for later collection and sale on the black market. This is also illegal and poses multiple risks to the marine environment.

“During the past year, a similar marine aquarium species of soft coral native to the Red Sea was found spreading on reefs in Puerto Rico. With the global increase in marine aquarium ownership, and the U.S. being the largest consumer, we should expect to see an increase in releases,” Martin said.

UH student designs logo

Martin has served as a guest speaker for UH classes, highlighting current issues, needs and opportunities to participate. In fall 2023, she shared her description of the situation in Pearl Harbor with the (MOP) class and piqued the interest of Hannah Chang, a recent graduate of the Rhode Island School of Design, who is working on her second bachelor’s degree in marine biology. Chang created the logo for the new campaign.

“When I learned about the impacts that pulse coral is having in �鶹��ý, I wanted to find a way to help,” Chang said, whose experience includes scientific illustrations and whimsical character designs. “Working on this project helped me gain some real-world experience and I am happy with the responses to the new logo.”

Chang’s logo was officially introduced and launched at a media event on October 28 at the Waikīkī Aquarium. She hopes to continue to use her background in art and marine biology as a science communicator to raise awareness about marine biodiversity.

“Awareness campaigns are critically important, and Hannah’s contributions to this effort are deeply appreciated,” Martin said.

UH MOP Director Cindy Hunter added, “This is a great example of how the Marine Option Program provides opportunities for any UH student with ocean interests to engage in real-world experiences as they progress toward their career goals.”

An organization to protect Oʻahu’s vital water resources, the (KMWP), celebrated 25 years in August. Funded through grants and donations, KMWP operates as a project of the within the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s .

Founded in 1999 by eight organizations, KMWP has grown into a coalition of 17 landowning partners and 10 associate partners dedicated to preserving the Koʻolau mountains’ watershed. This milestone coincides with the time it takes for a raindrop falling on the mountains to reach the underground aquifers that supply 90% of Oʻahu’s potable water.

The partnership now stewards more than 100,000 acres of public and private lands across the Koʻolau range. Its efforts focus on protecting native forests, which are crucial for soil retention, water absorption and aquifer recharge.

“What makes this partnership special is the immense support that these partner organizations have for one another,” KMWP Program Associate Brad Suenishi said. “It’s amazing to have so many partnering organizations collaborate with one common goal to preserve the Koʻolau Mountains.”

KMWP’s work extends beyond the mountaintops, impacting agriculture, residential areas, businesses and ocean ecosystems.

“As we celebrate this milestone, we’re not just looking back with pride, but forward with renewed commitment,” said KMWP Planner Jesse Adams. “The challenges of climate change and population growth make our mission more critical than ever. We’re deeply grateful for the support of our partners and the community, and we remain steadfast in our dedication to preserving the Koʻolau watersheds for generations to come.”

Over the years, KMWP has implemented various conservation strategies, including invasive species control, fencing and feral ungulate monitoring, and native plant restoration.

“Landscape level conservation often occurs on long timescales, but I have seen a significant positive impact from KMWP‘s work during my 10 year tenure,” KMWP Wildlife Management Specialist Jordan Lewis said.

Funding for projects comes from a variety of sources, including the �鶹��ý State Department of Forestry and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and non-government groups. A recent project, funded by the �鶹��ý State Department of Health’s Clean Water Branch, resulted in the planting of 574 native plants in the Waiheʻe and ����ԴDz� Cliffs restoration sites.

The organization’s impact is far-reaching. Approximately 30% of rainfall in the Koʻolau Mountains flows into streams, throughout the entire island from mountains to sea. KMWP’s efforts help minimize erosion, reduce fire and flooding risks and maintain the health of Oʻahu’s water systems.

Community support crucial

The partnership’s success relies heavily on the support of its member organizations and landowners, which provide access to priority watershed forests and, in some cases, funding opportunities.

“The success of KMWP over the past 25 years is a direct result of our dedicated landowner partners who have opened their lands for conservation efforts,” Adams said. “These access rights are vital because plants and animals, whether native or invasive, do not respect property boundaries. Partnership access means that the KMWP project field staff can protect more of our remnant native forests and control invasive species.”

The organization welcomes new partners to join its mission. For more information, .

Three new public impact research papers on invasive species issues were published on the U.S. Department of Interior’s website, and the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s Christy Martin played a role in each.

Appointed in 2023 to the U.S. Invasive Species Advisory Committee (ISAC), Martin worked with her ISAC colleagues to research and produce three white papers to advise the National Invasive Species Council, focusing much of her effort as co-chair for the subcommittee that drafted a paper on how .

The paper provides examples of how several invasive species impact different underserved communities, including Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders, while also pointing out the challenges of using the Climate and Economic Justice Screening Tool (CEJST) which is intended to be a guide for federal agencies to provide support, including for invasive species issues.

“As this paper illustrates, it is vitally important to support communities like Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, and others that have been historically underserved,” Martin said. “However, we found that there are significant gaps in available data that preclude identifying underserved communities, much less those that are overburdened due to invasive species, and there is no regular, systematic, longitudinal data available and incorporated into the CEJST on invasive species or their impacts in different areas. Further, there are many barriers that underserved communities face, and nothing can replace the value of engaging with these communities directly to understand their needs and how best to provide support.”

There are many barriers that underserved communities face, and nothing can replace the value of engaging with these communities directly to understand their needs and how best to provide support.
—Christy Martin

The other two papers are and .

As the program manager of the , a project of the UH ����ԴDz� in the , Martin has more than two decades of experience working on invasive species issues in �鶹��ý and the Pacific region.

The Invasive Species Advisory Committee was created by Executive Order 13112 and continued by Executive Order 13751, and consists of 12 appointed members and five non-voting advisors, from state, territorial, tribal, and local governments, as well as academic institutions, non-governmental organizations, and the private sector. .

A team of researchers from the and are leading the charge to explore the relationship between hooved animals and the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD). Maps of hard hit districts on �鶹��ý Island were recently released online from a collaborative study involving community, county, state and federal experts and in infecting ʻōhiʻa trees with the fatal fungus, Ceratocystis lukuohia, that cause ROD and how fencing can help prevent the spread of the disease.

According to UH researchers, the animals damage healthy trees by digging up roots and stripping off bark. The damage makes the tree more susceptible to infection by the fungal spores carried in soil or the wind.

Fence-off �鶹��ý’s forests

Spatial data, collected using remote-sensing technology, high-resolution satellite and helicopter imagery obtained from January 2019 through January 2023, show a greater spread of ʻōhiʻa die off in unfenced areas hooved animals can access and significantly lower ʻōhiʻa mortality in forest areas where hooved animals are blocked out by fencing. The UH researchers teamed with the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Department of Hawaiian Homelands, The Nature Conservancy, National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assess data from forested areas within Hāmākua to Kaʻū on �鶹��ý Island. The project is funded by the DLNR and U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service.

“The surveying and monitoring of ʻōhiʻa forests remains one of our team’s top priorities,” said Brian Tucker, a ROD data specialist at UH ����ԴDz� through the university’s Research Corporation. “These observations help guide our research projects, forest management practices and public outreach. We noticed a trend where the forests have less mortality due to ROD when protected from feral animals, especially cattle and pigs. We love our forests and it gives us hope because there are tools available for meaningful action to minimize the most devastating effects of ROD.”

Closer-look at ROD impacts

In October 2022, high-resolution satellite imagery analysis of two equally sized areas across the fenced boundary of �鶹��ý Volcanoes National Park showed 99% of the 3,398 suspected trees impacted by ROD were in the unfenced area.

Analysis of remote-sensing and high-resolution satellite imagery occurred collaboratively with Tucker and researchers at the UH Hilo (SDAV) laboratory, with UH Hilo student geospatial analyst Naiʻa Odachi performing much of the work. The lab specializes in geospatial technology, which is integral in obtaining aerial imagery to detect ʻōhiʻa mortality at an individual tree level.

“Remote sensing using aerial and high-resolution satellite imagery has allowed researchers to expand monitoring capabilities on �鶹��ý Island,” said Odachi, who is pursuing a master’s in at UH Hilo. “This imagery is used to identify individual dying ʻōhiʻa trees and can be used to direct field crews for sampling and ultimately lab analysis to confirm ROD infection.”

At the 2023 �鶹��ý Conservation Conference this summer, Odachi presented ROD investigations she conducted at UH �ᾱ����’s SDAV and won the Outstanding Graduate Student Oral Presentation Award.

This newly published study stems from led by UH Hilo Geographer Ryan Perroy, a professor of and director of the SDAV research lab. Perroy’s team revealed significant differences in areas on �鶹��ý Island with and without ungulates, suggesting that ungulate exclusion is an effective management tool to lessen the impacts of ROD in forested areas in �鶹��ý.

• Related UH News story: Rapid ʻōhiʻa death linked to hoofed animals in UH Hilo research, August 17, 2021

“With ʻōhiʻa making up 80% of our remaining native forests, preventing or reducing damage from ROD and hooved animals is critical for protecting our watersheds and only source of fresh water in �鶹��ý,” said Rob Hauff, state protection forester at �鶹��ý DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

ROD spread outlook

ʻŌhiʻa mortality has been observed in every district on �鶹��ý Island, with some areas showing very high rates of mortality. Outbreaks with significant ROD mortality were also reported on Kauaʻi. This collaborative study is geared toward building upon effective management strategies already in place to help protect �鶹��ý’s remaining ʻōhiʻa, and increase native forest regeneration and restoration.

New research out of the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� is highlighting the importance of the ma uka (mountain) to ma kai (ocean) approach to the stewardship of �鶹��ý’s natural and cultural resources.

The research focused on ʻoʻopu nākea, a type of goby fish found only in �鶹��ý. ʻOʻopu nākea spends the larval part of its life in the ocean before returning to the freshwater streams to complete adulthood. It is also one of five freshwater fishes endemic to �鶹��ý with fused pelvic fins that act as a suction cup to help climb waterfalls as they migrate upstream.

Unfortunately, like so many endemic species to �鶹��ý, ʻoʻopu nākea are under threat from climate change and human activity and previous research indicated the species no longer needed to reach the ocean to complete their life cycle.

The UH ����ԴDz�-led team utilized the latest microchemistry methods and found that 100% of ʻoʻopu nākea are still using the ocean as an important part of larval development. The study, “,” was published in the Journal of Fish Biology, and although the findings were positive, they still highlight the importance of preserving �鶹��ý’s freshwater streams and bodies of water.

“If our waterways are not maintained, we could see a decrease in native species,” said Yinphan Tsang, co-author of the study and principal investigator of the UH ����ԴDz� ’ Department of (NREM) Tsang Stream Lab. “Their larvae wouldn’t be able to travel to the ocean, and the juvenile wouldn’t be able to travel back upstream. There could also be an increase in invasive fish species with the degraded waterways, which compete with our native species for resources.”

The research was a collaboration among UH ����ԴDz� (PCSU), NREM, Oregon State University, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and United Kingdom Center for Ecology and Hydrology.

“Our study illustrates one of many connections between terrestrial freshwater ecosystems and the ocean, which highlights how critically important it is to continue �鶹��ý’s legacy of integrated ecosystem management,” said UH PCSU Director Shaya Honarvar, one of the study collaborators. “This stewardship approach has been at the center of community life for as long as people have inhabited these islands.”

This stewardship approach has been at the center of community life for as long as people have inhabited these islands.
—Shaya Honarvar

The researchers said the results reaffirm the importance of tracking the health of streams and freshwater bodies, and prioritize which waterways and habitats should be restored and protected to ensure the migration of native stream species and ultimately increase their populations.

ʻOʻopu nākea migration paths

The researchers were able to better determine the migratory patterns and life cycle of ʻoʻopu nākea, one of nine freshwater, amphidromous species native to �鶹��ý. The larvae are born in freshwater and flow down to the ocean and then, as juveniles, migrate back upstream to finish their life cycles.

Due to less rainfall and more frequent drought periods, there is less water in many of �鶹��ý’s streams with some losing connection to the ocean. Some streams that used to flow year-round may only flow during certain times of the year. Streams diverted to supply freshwater for other purposes, such as agriculture, leave a smaller portion of the original stream to flow downstream.

“Many of �鶹��ý’s streams and estuaries have been subject to modification as a result of water withdrawals and human-made structures that create barriers to fish passage,” said Gordon Smith, fish and wildlife biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and coordinator of the Hawaii Fish Habitat Partnership. “These habitats are critical for conservation of ʻoʻopu nākea and �鶹��ý’s other migratory freshwater organisms.”

The �鶹��ý Commission on Water Resource Management registers existing and new stream diversions across the state and helps regulate streamflow to ensure there is enough water for the community and native animals and plants within a certain habitat.

Analyzing ʻoʻopu nākea life cycles

The researchers were able to analyze the migratory history of ʻoʻopu nākea by using a new microchemistry preparation method to examine the otolith, which is the calcium carbonate structures found in fish heads used for balance.

“Previous research teams analyzed the otoliths by polishing (a common technique where the microscope with the otolith is moved in a rapid circular motion),” said Cody Chacon (Ching), the paper’s lead author and recent NREM graduate student now working as a hydrologist at the Commission on Water Resource Management. “However, these otoliths are microscopic, and the ideal portion to analyze could have been polished away. Therefore, we tried analyzing the otoliths without polishing. As our late ʻoʻopu mentor Dr. Bob Kinzie III once said, ‘Otoliths don’t lie, we just need to listen carefully.’”

Otoliths grow like tree rings, where each day one ring is added. The center represents the larval period of the fish, and the outside rings represent adulthood. Using elemental microchemistry at the Oregon State University’s W.M. Keck Collaboratory for Plasma Spectrometry, the center of the otolith can be analyzed to see the type of environment the larvae were living in. The research team analyzed otoliths from 90 fishes and found all fish lived in a saltwater environment as larvae.

“Cody’s research raises important considerations when evaluating reconstructing migratory history of endemic Hawaiian gobies, ʻoʻopu, that will be fundamental for future research and conservation efforts,” said Jessica Miller, an Oregon State University professor at the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station, and another co-author of the study.

Hannah Clilverd, an ecosystem scientist at the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology, and previous postdoc in the Tsang Stream Lab, added, “With this research we are now better equipped to understand the migratory patterns of ʻoʻopu and the streamflow requirements for their survival.”

Although undersized, little fire ants have had a massive impact in �鶹��ý, from stinging residents and blinding pets to displacing other insects and animals and leaving agricultural land unusable. In Nāhiku, Maui, the fire ants have invaded 175 acres of land, the largest known infestation in the state. A team from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� has developed a strategy to manage, and possibly eradicate the little fire ants.

After the Nāhiku infestation was discovered in 2014, the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) in the UH ����ԴDz� partnered with the Hilo-based �鶹��ý Ant Lab (HAL) and the �鶹��ý Department of Agriculture. MISC used an ant control technique developed by HAL that relies on an insect growth regulator combined with a beef liver bait that is highly attractive to little fire ants, but not other insects. Due to an intermittent stream found in Nāhiku, HAL and MISC also ensured that the mixture would be safe for use around waterways, as well as humans and animals.

The mixture is the consistency of pancake batter, appropriate for use in the pumps and spray equipment that are attached to the helicopter that distributes the little fire ant treatments. Additionally, the consistency causes the mixture to stick on the leaves of trees and shrubs long enough for worker ants to find and deliver it to the queen to prevent her from laying eggs. After regular treatments, she and her colony die out.

After more than three years and 24 treatments, annual surveys of the Nāhiku infestation show the little fire ants have been nearly eradicated.

“We’ve reached a milestone in our efforts to get rid of the ants in Nāhiku,” said Brooke Mahnken, MISC’s lead on Maui fire ant eradication efforts. “We didn’t find any fire ants in our last survey. This means we’re in a monitoring phase. While there’s a chance they may turn up during future surveys, we’ve reached the point on the journey where eradication is in sight.”

“Having an effective product and a way to get it into the trees was a turning point for the State,” added Interim MISC Manager Teya Penniman. “[The Nāhiku success story is a] victory for us, but also the rest of the state. We have a proof of concept that it’s possible to eliminate large infestations of little fire ants in some of the most extreme habitats.”

Stop the Ant month

A team of more than 30 people from MISC will be joined by staff from other conservation organizations throughout October in honor of “Stop the Ant” month as they search for any straggler ants. Surveys will continue for several years.

“If we find little fire ants on our next survey, we know we can knock out these small populations with the tools we’ve developed,” said Mahnken. “If repeat surveys over the course of five years yield no ants, we will declare the site eradicated.”

During Stop the Ant month, �鶹��ý residents are encouraged to collect and submit ants from their properties to help detect and control the spread of the little fire ants and other harmful pest ants that may be new to the state. Instructions and more information to report the ants .

A native plant that was first discovered in the forests of West Maui in 2020 by a University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� expert has now been officially recognized as a new Hawaiian species.

The plant, named Clermontia hanaulaensis, was found during routine surveys by Hank Oppenheimer, Maui Nui (PEPP) coordinator. The program is part of the in UH ����ԴDz�’s .

According to experts, the plant species is only found in �鶹��ý and is likely unique to the mountains of West Maui.

“I decided to just turn a different way and look over a ridge I hadn’t explored before and there they were,” Oppenheimer said. “They looked very different from other Clermontia.”

Clermontia is a genus of plants that evolved in �鶹��ý and is found nowhere else in the world. They grow as small shrub-like trees on the six largest islands from about 600 to 6,000 feet in elevation. Their long, paddle-shaped leaves grow atop branches that fork. This species flower is lavender and white.

Botanists across the state studied the found plant’s flower and leaf structure, comparing it to herbarium specimens and photos to try to verify that it is a previously undiscovered species. The botanists also ruled out the possibility of the plant being a hybrid of other Clermontia species.

Critically endangered

The patch of this rare plant is currently the only known population, numbering less than 80 adults and 20 seedlings spread out in an area about the size of 10 football fields. They are not growing on protected state lands, however, the private landowner has been a longtime conservation partner.

Since it exists only as a small population with a limited range, it’s already being proposed for critically endangered status. Because there are so few of this rare species in the wild, PEPP has collected seeds and will continue to monitor the population to ensure its survival.

Key threats to rare plants across �鶹��ý are introduced plants, slugs, pigs and rats which eat seeds and fruit. On Maui, Axis deer pose additional threats.

Clermontia are usually pollinated by native forest birds, which are absent at this population’s elevation due to mosquito-spread avian malaria. They usually grow as mid-canopy plants, under larger trees. A hurricane knocking down larger trees or a single fire could wipe out this newly discovered species.

PEPP marks its 20th anniversary in 2023. .

Each year, the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s helps protect about half of the 423 threatened and endangered plant species in �鶹��ý by focusing on efficacy, cost efficiency and innovation. The program recently garnered a national award for its contributions to protecting and supporting the Endangered Species Act.

The award was presented in September 2023 by the Endangered Species Coalition and a group of 30 other local, regional and national conservation organizations at an event in Washington, D.C. commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Endangered Species Act. Accepting the award on behalf of the Plant Extinction Prevention Program was Scott Heintzman, coordinator of the Kauaʻi Plant Extinction Prevention Program. Also in attendance was Clifford Morden, deputy director of the UH ����ԴDz� and interim director of the ; and Shaya Honarvar, director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit.

“The success of our program results from the hard work of countless passionate individuals and the highly collaborative efforts among the different local communities, NGO’s, and state, county and federal organizations,” Morden said.

The Plant Extinction Prevention Program focuses on emergency actions, captive propagation and reintroduction efforts for those species closest to the brink of extinction—Hawaiian plants that have 50 or fewer individuals left in the wild. More than 200 of the rarest plant species in the world receive emergency-room actions under this program. No plant has gone extinct since its inception. The Plant Extinction Prevention Program has already saved dozens of species from extinction and helped reintroduce more than 110 species into native forests.

“Although �鶹��ý has long been regarded as the endangered species capital of the world, through our conservation actions we hope to one day be recognized as the biosecurity capital of the world,” Heintzman said.

Joining the Plant Extinction Prevention Program in receiving an award were Jane Goodall, the Nez Perce Tribe, the Yurok Tribe, Bat Conservation International, the Sea Turtle Conservancy and members of Congress. Passed with bipartisan support and signed into law in 1973, the Endangered Species Act is a landmark law that has prevented 99% of the species it protects from going extinct and has put hundreds more on the path to recovery.

During their visit to Washington, D.C., Morden, Honarvar and Heintzman met with members of �鶹��ý’s congressional delegation, the deputy director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and the Center for Biological Diversity.

The Plant Extinction Prevention Program operates as a project of the UH ����ԴDz� Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit and is supported by state and federal funds, grants, and donations from public and private institutions.

The University of �鶹��ý has appointed Suzanne Case as inaugural director of the Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures, which is housed under the . Case began her official duties on September 11.

In her new role, Case will be responsible for identifying, developing and coordinating initiatives in research, education, funding, policies and other opportunities, by leveraging all facets of the UH research enterprise to improve nature conservation efforts internally and across the state. Conservation and sustainability efforts are a critical component to UH’s strategic plan as well as the future of our islands and the world.

In addition to collaborating internally with existing UH conservation programs such as the UH ����ԴDz� , partnerships such as the �鶹��ý Conservation Alliance, and UH-supported programs such as the and the , Case will also be working closely with federal, state and county stakeholders. Those include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, U.S. Forest Service, as well the �鶹��ý congressional delegation, �鶹��ý State Legislature, state agencies, county councils, local businesses and non-profit organizations, and community and cultural groups.

“I’m really excited to join the University of �鶹��ý team for conservation,” Case said. “The university’s education, research and capacity-building conservation work is very broad and deep. The faculty, students and workers are true leaders in so many conservation fields, and I’m proud to be a part of it and to do what I can to support and expand it. We have so much to do for �鶹��ý, the Pacific and our planet.”

Case comes to UH after serving two terms as chair of the Board of Land and Natural Resources and director of the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) for the State of �鶹��ý from 2015 to 2022. During this time, she led a number of significant accomplishments toward the protection and preservation of natural and cultural resources, including: forestry and wildlife, aquatic resources, coastal regulation, freshwater resources, historic preservation, boating and ocean recreation, state parks, state land management and conservation enforcement.

Prior to joining DLNR, Case served in leadership and legal counsel positions throughout a 28-year career with The Nature Conservancy, including executive director of the �鶹��ý program from 2001 to 2015, where she was responsible for overseeing eight Nature Conservancy preserves, land protection projects statewide, the growth of watershed partnerships and community networks to restore near-shore marine resources, and the implementation of large-scale projects to remove invasive algae from �鶹��ý’s reefs and coastal areas.

Case has also served as chair for the State Commission on Water Resource Management, as well as co-chair of the Sustainable �鶹��ý Initiative, the �鶹��ý Climate Adaptation and Mitigation Commission, �鶹��ý Invasive Species Committee, and as a member of both the �鶹��ý Board of Agriculture and the Kahoʻolawe Island Reserve Commission.

“We are at a critical juncture with our natural resources, biodiversity and way of life threatened by the effects of climate change, invasive species and unsustainable practices that supplanted Indigenous understanding of how to live in harmony with the environment,” said UH President David Lassner. “Suzanne has had an incredible positive impact in her roles with DLNR and The Nature Conservancy, and we look forward to her leadership in helping us fulfill our kuleana to protect the natural environment with our faculty and students across the islands.”

“We are very pleased and fortunate to have a person with the impressive credentials, knowledge, experience and passion of Suzanne to lead the University of �鶹��ý’s conservation efforts into the future,” said UH Vice President for Research and Innovation Vassilis L. Syrmos. “In our push to lead land and ocean conservation research, education, and field implementation in the Asia-Pacific region, her stewardship of our new Office of Land and Ocean Conservation Futures will be absolutely vital to that effort.”

Born in Hilo, Case is a graduate of Punahou School in Honolulu. She earned her bachelor’s degree with honors in history from Stanford University in 1979 and was awarded her juris doctorate from the University of California Hastings College of Law in 1983.

A new interactive exhibit at the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport will help to inform travelers about the importance of protecting the state from invasive species and demonstrate some of the actions they can take to make a difference.

The exhibit, spearheaded by the from the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz�’s , also features a boot brush station so hikers traveling between islands can remove dirt from their boots, and reduce the spread of invasive weeds and diseases, such as Rapid ʻŌ��ʻ�� Death.

For young travelers, the exhibit has an interactive game called, “Be an Ag Inspector.” Scrolling from screen to screen, keiki and adults can inspect photos of commodities and containers to find the pest, and tap on the screen to win.

“Hopefully people will come away from this display really understanding a little bit more about how they can help protect �鶹��ý and how precious it is,” said Christy Martin, Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species program manager.

�鶹��ý residents concerned about invasive species

A recent survey of �鶹��ý residents showed that 93% of respondents consider invasive species a serious issue. Most of the bad bugs and animals arrive on our shores by air or on a ship. With most of our goods coming from outside the state, airports and harbors are the two primary pathways for pests, which can have negative impacts on agriculture, natural resources and human health.

The exhibit is part of the state’s to fill the gaps in invasive species prevention and control, and with the aim to increase awareness in helping to protect �鶹��ý. The new exhibit on the ma uka concourse in Terminal 1 was launched at the beginning of February, which is also �鶹��ý Invasive Species Awareness Month.

“It’s colorful, it’s catchy, and it’s interactive,” said Dawn Chang, chair of the Department of Land and Natural Resources. “It is designed in a way that captures the Hawaiian language. It captures the whole purpose of the biosecurity plan, which is to protect our environment, our food supplies, our homes from invasive species. We see education as one of the first lines of defense for biosecurity.”

�鶹��ý Department of Agriculture Chair Sharon Hurd added, “This exhibit is a great example of the message that we are all responsible for the safe-keeping of �鶹��ý. We’re responsible for keeping our home free of invasive species. It’s like when you invite someone into your home, and you expect them to take their shoes off at the door. That’s why we have the boot cleaning station, so you scrape all the dirt off when you board a plane and when you arrive.”

A team from Bishop Museum designed the biosecurity exhibit, and the content was developed with more than 20 partners.

Funding for the exhibit was provided by the �鶹��ý Resilience Fund and the Robert Emens Black Fund at the �鶹��ý Community Foundation. Programmatic support for the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species was provided by Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation. administered the funds.

UH ����ԴDz�’s Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit is housed in the .

Best management practices (BMPs) for solar installations to protect �鶹��ý’s native and endangered birds, have been released by the University of �鶹��ý . The new technical report synthesizes current literature on the threats posed by industrial-scale solar installations to birds, identifies the species most at risk from solar infrastructure, lists the locations of current and future solar facilities, and describes specific strategies to limit negative impacts on Hawaiian bird life.

“As the state moves to meet its goal of 100% clean energy by 2045, it is vital that green energy sources do not negatively harm the state’s already imperiled birdlife,” said UH ����ԴDz� Professor David Duffy, who is also the report’s co-author.

Three seabirds and five waterbirds have been identified as the threatened or endangered species most likely to interact with solar facilities and the ones most at risk of being harmed—along with 32 species of migratory waterbirds and shorebirds, and the pueo (Hawaiian short-eared owl). The report’s vulnerability matrix includes information about the local and global population status of different species and lists considerations for reducing impacts at existing and new facilities.

The authors describe specific aspects of solar infrastructure that pose risks to birdlife, including polarized light from panels or cooling ponds that may attract birds to a site; nighttime lighting that disorients both adult and fledgling seabirds; direct collisions with power lines, panels, fences and other structures; and predation of downed birds by non-native animals.

Mitigation and design

Recommendations include: year-round, bird-strike and attraction monitoring to detect injuries and mortalities; specific siting considerations; ongoing predator control; reducing the attractiveness of solar panels; and enhanced visibility of wires using markers or reflectors.

The report notes that incorporating BMPs into the design of new facilities will help, but more should be done.

Jay Penniman, co-author and manager of of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, said, “Studies at solar facilities on the mainland have shown that mortality of endangered birds is inevitable. Mitigation projects need to be developed in tandem with the design process, and not created as an after-thought.”

Planning required

The report concludes, “We all want solar power to succeed but it requires planning rather than reacting.”

The technical report, “Best Management Practices to Protect Endangered and Native Birds at Solar Installations in �鶹��ý,” can be found on .

This work is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goals of (PDF) and (PDF), two of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

The �鶹��ý State Legislature has defined invasive species as the “single greatest threat” to our economy, natural environment and health of our communities. Once invasive insects and plants become established and widespread, there are very few tools that can effectively limit the unwanted impacts of those pests and weeds at a large scale. One way to combat invasive species is biological control, or biocontrol for short, the science of controlling a pest or weed by using another organism.

However, there are misconceptions about the process. When people in �鶹��ý think of biocontrol the first thing that comes to mind is the mongoose, a small carnivorous mammal introduced by sugar planters in a misguided effort to control night-active rats. To explain the science behind modern biocontrol, the and the state’s (DLNR) developed a video to raise awareness and clear up misconceptions.

When a biocontrol is “host-specific,” when it only impacts the intended pest or weed and does not harm other species or the environment, the benefit-to-cost ratio can be between 30:1 and 300:1. This makes modern, host-specific biocontrol among the safest and most cost-effective control measures available.

To help raise awareness about the sophisticated science of selecting and testing potential biological control “agents,” the (CGAPS), a project of the UH and the �鶹��ý teamed up with local media communications company Hyperspective to produce a short video explaining how modern biocontrol research is conducted.

Not the mongoose

“It’s projects like this that highlight the university’s role in facilitating collaboration, research and outreach to address cross-sector issues, like invasive species in �鶹��ý,” said Shaya Honarvar, director of the Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. “This video does a great job of clearly explaining the concepts, while still being engaging and short enough to watch in a single viewing.”

As part of its research tracking public awareness and opinions in invasive species issues, CGAPS found that although the majority of those polled (78%) said they somewhat or strongly support the use of biocontrol that has passed environmental and regulatory testing, only a handful of the 500 survey respondents could name a single successful biocontrol project. Nine percent even said, “mongoose.”

“A successful, host-specific biocontrol works 24 hours per day, seven days a week, without impacting the environment or other species. It’s definitely not the mongoose,” said David Smith, administrator of the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “We’re happy to partner with CGAPS to put this video together and get the word out about biocontrol as an important invasive species management tool.”

Funding for this project was provided to CGAPS by the .

The first hatchery-raised sea urchins outplanted in ����Ա�ʻ�dz�� Bay are 10-years-old, and the University of �鶹��ý at ����ԴDz� (PCSU) and the State of �鶹��ý (DAR) are celebrating the milestone anniversary. The sea urchin hatchery, funded by the (NOAA) and DAR, successfully transplanted the first cohort in January 2011 and has since released 600,000 sea urchins across the state.

These sea urchins have proven to be incredibly successful at controlling invasive seaweed, a major priority for coral conservation in �鶹��ý. To date, the sea urchin biocontrol project has treated more than 227 acres of reef in ����Ա�ʻ�dz�� Bay, and has recently expanded to the Waikīkī Marine Life Conservation District to control invasive algae.

Urchins (Tripneustes gratilla) are spawned, settled and raised at the State of �鶹��ý’s at Sand Island as part of a multi-agency effort, involving PCSU, DAR, NOAA, and the State of �鶹��ý . The sea urchin hatchery—retrofitted from an old shrimp aquaculture facility—is a 24/7 operation managed by David Cohen and his staff, who raise sea urchins until their juvenile life stage. It takes approximately four to five months until urchins are large enough to be transferred to ����Ա�ʻ�dz�� Bay.

Before the urchin hatchery was created, invasive macroalgae (Kappaphycus, Euchuema) would grow in thick mats on top of reefs in ����Ա�ʻ�dz�� Bay, effectively smothering the reef, blocking sunlight and killing coral. But since these native collector urchins have been outplanted, invasive seaweed cover has been reduced and coral health has improved. Today, these areas are monitored for algae regrowth and urchins are outplanted as needed if invasive seaweed is detected.

“This is one of the most effective marine invasive species control projects implemented in �鶹��ý,” said PCSU Director Shaya Honarvar.

“Sea urchins are an incredibly challenging animal to raise in captivity, but under Cohen’s leadership the hatchery has been able to produce large numbers of sea urchins consistently, which is a huge accomplishment,” said DAR administrator Brian Neilson.

This work is an example of UH ����ԴDz�’s goal of (PDF), one of four goals identified in the (PDF), updated in December 2020.

Researchers at the University of �鶹��ý (PCSU) have collaborated with multiple agencies to develop a management tracking system to keep crucial data organized as the (ROD) fungus continues to spread to parts of Kauaʻi. The system allows field staff to compile data from multiple sources into one place, facilitate planning of management and research activities, and provide progress updates.

“Supporting the work on Kauaʻi is one of my highest priorities,” said Brian Tucker, PCSU ROD data manager, who supports all aspects of statewide management planning, field implementation and reporting. “Electronic data collection in the field and geospatial data management enable field staff on Kauaʻi to track outbreaks and new discoveries of ROD.”

• Read more about ROD on UH News.

The compiled data begins with suspect ROD trees, or trees that have recently died and exhibit ROD symptoms. Data is mostly compiled through aerial surveys via helicopter or drone, but also includes ground reporting by landowners.

Suspect ROD trees are then entered into the database, where they are prioritized based upon multiple criteria of location and accessibility. These suspects then may be visited for sampling and other research activities. Observations are made and entered into the database during visits and re-visits. The tracking system allows multiple agencies to know what has been completed, and when. Over time, the data will show how the disease has grown and spread.

To date, there have been a total of 181 confirmed ROD cases on Kauaʻi, which includes 101 Ceratocystis lukuohia, the more aggressive and devastating species. There have been 78 Ceratocystis huliohia fungus infected species. Two of the confirmed cases were co-infected with both species.

Mitigation efforts

Monitoring of forests began prior to ROD being discovered on Kauaʻi when the first samples of dead ʻōhiʻa were collected in February 2016. While ROD was not detected, the �鶹��ý Department of Land and Natural Resources began doing aerial surveys to locate ROD suspects in June 2016. Mitigation efforts began immediately after ROD was first discovered on Kauaʻi in May 2018.