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Saving ‘Ōhi’a-Hawaii’s Sacred Tree and Stopping the Spread of Coqui –

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Saving ‘Ōhi’a-Hawaii’s Sacred Tree and Stopping the Spread of Coqui Frogs

Adam Radford, Manager and Lissa Strohecker, Outreach and Education Specialist, from the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) will share a short film titled “Saving ‘Ōhi’a – Hawaii’s Sacred Tree” and discuss the coqui frogs, native to Puerto Rico, that were accidentally imported to the Hawaiian Islands.

The short film, “Saving ‘Ōhi’a – Hawaii’s Sacred Tree” will give an update on the current status of the ‘Ōhi’a tree. The ʻŌhiʻa Lehua is a flowering tree species with special significance to the Hawaiian people that is currently under threat from a condition known as “Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death” caused by two previously-unknown fungal pathogens. It’s ceremonial use, especially by hula halau, has been limited in order to stem the spread of the disease.

They will also be discussing the coqui frogs, native to Puerto Rico, that were accidentally imported to the Hawaiian Islands, sometimes hidden in bromeliads sold to local nurseries. Many of the invasive frogs have taken up residence in Maliko Gulch, near Haiku, where their high chirps now echo through the night. While some consider their noisy mating calls endearing, many residents and visitors consider them a terrible nuisance and worry about the economic impact of an island-wide infestation.

The Maui Invasive Species Committee works to control the high-threat invasive species that are feasible to eradicate or contain based on their distribution and resources available. The committee is made up of resource managers from state, county, federal and private organizations and determines the target pests they work to control.


What: Akakū Upstairs presents: Saving ‘Ōhi’a  Hawaii’s Sacred Tree and Stopping the Spread of Coqui Frogs

Where333 Dairy Rd. Ste. 204 Kahului, HI 96732

When: Thursday, March 28, 2019, from 6pm – 7:30pm

Watch here!