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HISC research and technology evaluation committees completed a review (late in 2007) of 48 research and technology proposals following request for proposals that attracted 12 coqui frog and 36 general invasive species proposals. A total of 21 reviewers looked at some or all of the proposals, including staff and experts from DOA, DEBDT, DOH, DLNR, HISC, USDA, UH, Bishop Museum, USGS etc. A core group met at the University on November 29, 2007 to review the top ranked projects.
Fifteen projects were selected (below) for funding . We expect the total amount of funded projects to come to $782,156 a little over the $780,000 agreed for in the HISC budget. We plan to reprogram some HISC support funds to cover that shortfall. Principal investigator surname and agency are indicated after proposal titles.
Survey for insect enemies of Bocconia frutescens in Costa Rica – Johnson/USDA FS
Summary: The Principal Investigator (PI) will work with colleagues in the University of Costa Rica to identify host specific natural enemies of Bocconia frutescens. B. frutescens is a shade tolerant bird dispersed tree invading East Maui and parts of the Big Island. It is spreading quickly into relatively pristine undisturbed native forest; is able to colonize fern filled gulches and is increasing in cover and frequency in these habitats. $16,444
Biocontrol of Rubus ellipticus using insect agents in China – Johnson/USDA FS
Summary: Specific natural enemies of yellow Himalayan raspberry will be the focus of search efforts in China. Originally only found on the Big Island it has spread to Maui through trade in hapu'u trunks. It has invaded deeply into pristine forests at Volcanoes since its arrival in the 1960s. It forms dense impenetrable thickets. $42,955
Green and healthy Hawaii: identifying and introducing alternative ornamental landscape plants in response to invasive species issues – Kaufman/University of Hawaii
Summary: This project is focused on identifying and evaluating alternative non-invasive ornamental plants to use in place of known invasive species currently in use by industry. The work will involve consultation with landscape industry experts to identify alternatives, determination of their non-invasive status, field testing of plants, and production of outreach material. $120,516
Ecological, hydrological, ecological and economic impacts of miconia in Hawaii – Lee/Entrix Enviro Consultants
Summary: To test assumptions about miconia’s impact on soils and hydrology. Initiate assessment of long term impacts of miconia through comparison with Tahiti where the problem is more advanced, and damaging. Provide economic estimates of watershed damage from miconia in Hawaii. Host a regional conference on the ecological impacts of miconia. $96,999
An early detection system for invasive marine species – development and proof-of-concept of a taxonomic mircroarray Toonen/University of Hawaii
Summary: The goal is to design and fabricate a taxonomic microarray that can quickly and quantitatively be used to identify the presence of a set of species, from a mixed sample of plankton or boat hull scrapings. Species selected will include known and potential invaders not yet established in Hawaii. $69,728
Evaluating impact of Puccinia psidii rust strains on Ohia – Hauff/DLNR-DOFAW
Summary: This project aims to document the impacts of a variety of strains of ohia rust on Ohi’a through tests carried out on a variety of Ohi’a types from Hawaii, but carried out in Brazil where it is believed that Ohi’a rust originates from. $36,049
Chemical ecology of the little fire ant for detection delimitation and control in Hawaii
Summary: This project aims to identify and isolate little fire ant pheromones that may be useful as attractants to be used to detect and or control the ant in new sites where it is currently unknown to occur, or where it is having negative impacts on valued resources and human health. $82,500
Determining the efficacy of fungicide to protect endangered species from the rust Puccinia psidii – Uchida/University of Hawaii
Summary: Trials to determine types and amount of fungicide needed to control Ohi’a rust on a small scale where it affects rare native species. $34,810
The effects of cooking on diphacinone residues in feral pig tissue – Pitt/APHIS
Summary: This project aims to address concerns about the use of diphacinone containing baits as a rodenticide to reduce the harmful impacts of rodents on Hawaii’s threatened and much depleted native flora fauna. Although strict rules are to be adopted limiting the hunting of pigs in areas treated with diphacinone - and it is known that pigs that eat the baits do not accumulate levels of the chemical that would pose a risk to human health. Via laboratory tests this study will accurately document the risks related to incidental consumption of pigs by humans where the pigs have eaten baits. $31,050
Invasive ant control for native ecosystem preservation and restoration in Hawaii – Krushelnycky/University of Hawaii
Summary: Trials will be undertaken on potentially effective insecticides that may be used to control ants in Haleakala National Park on Maui where ants are negatively impact native vertebrate and invertebrate species. $73,726
Hawaii’s invasive plant species: an interactive key for the identification and management of invasive species in Hawaii. James/Bishop Museum
Summary: An online interactive key will be developed for common invasive plant species. In addition management methods will be described for each species. This will allow anyone be they expert or member of the public to correctly identify these species using a simple set of characters presented in an appealing visual way. $25,122
Barn Owl/Rat: invasive predators of endangered seabirds Penniman/University of Hawaii
Summary: Barn owl traps will be developed to facilitate control of this species which is contributing to the decline of seabirds nesting on Lanai. In addition their diet will be studied. Rats will be monitored and controlled – these are the other invasive species contributing to seabird decline at the site. $38,860
Developing a database for the Hawaii Pacific Weed Risk Assessment System. Harrison/University of Hawaii
Summary: A reorganization and systemization of the data gathered in the process of undertaking weed risk assessments. This is needed to facilitate more consistent data collection, and improve the management of the process. Currently each risk assessment is stored in a separate spreadsheet, more than a thousand species have been assessed and many more assessments are planned. $16,000
Overcoming site limitations in the control of coqui frog populations – Penniman/University of Hawaii/Maui Invasive Species Council
Summary: This study aims to test the use of large agricultural sprinklers as a means to deliver standard control measures (dilute citric acid) to frogs in what is the only (as yet) uncontrolled population of frogs on Maui at Māliko gulch. The site’s difficult terrain and dense vegetation has hindered control efforts to date. Eradication may be feasible if this population can be controlled and future introductions from the Big Island can prevented. $75,000
Dermal toxicity of aqueous solutes in coqui frog – Mautz/University of Hawaii
Summary: This laboratory based study will test the effectiveness of a number of aqueous solutes for the control of coqui frogs and compare them to existing methods using citric acid and hydrated lime. Compounds to be tested for control effectiveness are citric acid, hydrated lime, sodium citrate, sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, sodium bicarbonate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium nitrate, ammonium nitrate, dextrose and dextrin. $22,397
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