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What are Native vs. Invasive Species?

Ino ka moana ke ahu mōkākī nei ka puna i uka.

The sea is rough, for the corals are strewn on the beach.

Here are all the indications that there is trouble yonder.

Selection No. 1243 from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and poetical sayings, © 1983 by Bishop Museum.

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The Hawaiian archipelago has been a landing spot in the Pacific for millions of years.

The Hawaiian archipelago has been a landing spot in the Pacific for millions of years as new islands are formed over hotspots and conveyed to the northwest on the Pacific Plate.

Native honeycreeper
Native honeycreeper. Photo: Robby Kohley
Native coral and goatfish
Native coral and goatfish. Photo: Jeffrey Kuwabara

Ohia tree in lava
Native ōhi‘a seedling. Photo: CGAPS

Hawaiian stream
Native forest. Photo: Maui Forest Bird Recovery Project

Plants and animals arrived on wind, wings, and water currents and slowly diversified over time, resulting in nearly 20,000 native species. With Polynesian voyagers came the first non-native species, including kalo (taro). Non-native species are those that are moved as the result of people’s actions.

Most non-native species are helpful and not harmful. However, some non-native species become invasive and have detrimental effects in their new location. Invasive species are non-native species whose introduction causes or is likely to cause economic or environmental harm, or harm to human, animal, or plant health.

As part of the Aloha+ Challenge sustainable development goals, state and county leaders have committed to implementing the Hawaiʻi Interagency Biosecurity Plan to improve our invasive species prevention and control programs, and to engage the public in these efforts.

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Examples of Invasive Species

Lele ka hoaka.

The spirit has flown away.

The glory of the land has departed.

Selection No. 1978 from Mary Kawena Pukui’s ʻŌlelo Noʻeau: Hawaiian Proverbs and poetical sayings, © 1983 by Bishop Museum.

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Examples of Invasive Species

Brown tree snake
Photo: Lori Oberhofer

Brown tree snake

Not present in Hawaiʻi

This and many other types of snakes threaten native birds and public health

brown tree snake eating tern
Photo: Nathan Sablan/USGS

Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle
Photo: HDOA/CRB Response

Coconut rhinoceros beetle

Present on Oʻahu

These beetles kill coconut and native palms and thus threaten the cultural use of palms.

Dead coconut trees
Photo: HDOA/CRB Response

Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death
 

Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death

Present on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi

This aggressive fungal disease kills ōhi‘a, the most abundant native tree in Hawaiian forests, harming biodiversity and water recharge.

ROD tree with feral cattle wounds on bark
Photo: J.B. Friday

Little fire ant
Photo: HDOA

Little fire ant

Present on several islands

These tiny, tree-dwelling, stinging ants harm agriculture, native species, and public health.

LFA stings
Photo: Cas Vanderwoude

Miconia
Photo: CGAPS

Miconia

Present on some islands

These trees threaten biodiversity, forest resilience, soil stabilization, and water recharge.

Miconia understory
Photo: USGS

mosquito
Photo: CDC/William Brogdon

Mosquitoes

(and diseases they vector)

Several species are widespread

Mosquitoes spread diseases like heartworm in pets, and avian malaria, which kills native birds. Travelers arriving with active Dengue or Zika infections may be bit by mosquitoes, which could start a local outbreak.

Apapane with mosquito
Photo: Jack Jeffrey
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