PALOLO VALLEY, Hawaii (KHON2) — Coqui frogs, coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants are just some of the invasive species that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture has their hands full with in 2025.
Some even say a biosecurity chief position is needed. The Hawaii Department of Agriculture said working with the community to combat invasive species will be critical in 2025 since $10 million was approved for 2025.
“[Ten million dollars] is more money than the Department of Agriculture has ever had dedicated to biosecurity efforts,” said HDOA chair Sharon Hurd. “We’re going to say, ‘We have a statewide plan for public property, but for the private properties in the communities, maybe you guys can help us with this funding and decide what you’re going to do for coconut rhinoceros beetles.”
Coconut rhinoceros beetles are widespread on Oahu and has also been found on Kauai, Maui and Hawaii Island. Invasive Species Committees on each county respond to reports, but some legislators hope to cut through red tape by establishing a chief of biosecurity.
“So that it becomes a priority so that someone actually owns the issue and can follow through,” said Senate Ways and Means Committee Chair Donovan Dela Cruz. “We need a much more tight strategic plan that we know can get implemented.”
The manager of the Oahu Invasive Species Committee has some concerns about shifting roles, however. His crew just sprayed for coqui frogs on Feb. 7 in Palolo Valley.
“They’re proposing to move it from the DLNR right now to the Department of Agriculture,” Nate Dube said. “So when anything gets past the ports of entry and starts to establish, that’s where Oahu Invasive Species Committee is able to come in and work with residents, work in their backyards.”
Field specialists said their on-the-ground work would not be possible without the public and they urged folks to send in reports.
“If you see something, say something. So it’s always good to call the pest hotline or contact either. HDOA, OISC whoever is involved, you know, just getting it to the right parties and being able to, you know, report a pest. If you see one,” said HDOA Acting Land Vertebrae Specialist Jessica Miura.
Dela Cruz said it is time that there is a position that can be held to account for the continuing spread of invasive species since there are so many city, state and community agencies.
“I mean, it’s gotten to the point where we have little fire and we have coconut rhinoceros beetle, we have coqui frog, and the list is continuing to grow,” Dela Cruz said.
“We are hoping for the day that farmers and ranchers can wake up and they can say, ‘Okay, what do I farm today,’ rather than, ‘What invasive species do I have to treat for today?'” Hurd said.
The bill to create a biosecurity chief passed the Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection Committee on Feb. 6.