Goals: (1) Review priorities for the control of pests already present or recently arrived in the state; (2) implement cost effective
eradication and control programs against incipient and established pests with shared resources and shared responsibilities
of all agencies.
This working group is chaired by a staff member from the Department of Land and Natural Resources. Contact Tony Montgomery for more information.
Where it is achievable, eradication is the best management option for dealing with alien invasive species when prevention
has failed. It is much more cost effective financially than ongoing control, and better for the environment. Technological
improvements are increasing the number of situations where eradication is possible, especially on islands. One of the most
important improvements has been in “Early Detection.” This means that we consistently and systematically survey for newly
establishing species, identify these species correctly and use mapping and data management to identify where all known
individuals are located. Successful eradication is only possible with support from early detection that includes taxonomic
experts, agency and public awareness and documentation to ensure accountability.
Response & Control Established Pests Objectives:
- Implement improvements to capacity for detection, eradication and control, e.g. increased staffing, training and infrastructure
to respond to both terrestrial and aquatic invasive species.
- Detect and immediately target high priority invasive species that are candidates for eradication in all or part of their
range, e.g. coqui frogs on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i.
- Include and coordinate with the counties to increase resources and funding and to address county-sponsored activities
that involve invasive species HRS 194-2 (12), e.g. the county-based invasive species committees, mayors’ offices.
- Eliminate known invasive plant species from public projects and contracts.
- For those species that do arrive in Hawai‘i, identify and record all introduced and invasive species present in the State
HRS 194-2 (a) (6).
- Develop and implement a decision making protocol for targeting species for eradication and or control efforts.
- Review and update DLNR’s injurious wildlife list and DOA’s Noxious Weed List as needed in a timely manner.
- Identify and prioritize each lead agency’s organizational and resource shortfalls with respect to invasive species HRS
194-2 (a) (3).
- Determine what species are invasive to trigger access provisions onto private lands.
- Review and revise regulations governing the introduction of biological control agents.
- Support development of management plans for widespread vertebrate pests.
- Develop capacity on each island to conduct effective coordinated rapid response to all snake sightings.
- Establish clear agency responsibilities and criteria for rapid response activities to ensure coordinated efforts.
- The appropriate state agencies shall collaborate with the counties and communities to develop and implement a systematic
approach to reduce and control coqui frog infestations on public lands that are near or adjacent to communities,
and shall provide annual reports on the progress made in achieving this objective HRS 194-2 (a) (4).
Response & Control - Measures of Effectiveness
- Number of species detected and evaluated for feasibility of eradication.
- Proportion (area, #’s) of invasive species eradicated and/or controlled of those detected.
- Prioritization processes identified and in place.
- Implementation of the priority response and control actions of the Aquatic Invasive Species, West Nile Virus, coqui frog,
and red imported fire ant plans.
- Number and names of species, habitats, ecosystems, agricultural, and managed areas protected because of control efforts.
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