Governor Kicks Off Invasive Species Awareness Week

Gov. Neil Abercrombie today kicked off Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness week with recognition of efforts by various groups and individuals.

The governor noted that invasive species “pose the single greatest threat to Hawaii’s health, environment, economy, and people.”

Abercrombie invited the public to join conservation organizations with various projects including replanting of native species on Mauna Kea.

Particular focus is being given to recent outbreaks of the coconut rhinoceros beetle.

MVPs from each island were singled out for honors. On that Big Island that went to County Councilman Zendo Kern who with his colleagues unanimously passed an ordinance allowing for the county to enter private property to remove hazardous trees like albizia.

More information on the state’s efforts is available at the website of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.

Invasive species is also the focus of several bills still alive in the state Legislature including:

• Senate Bill 2343, which would appropriate $5 million for initiatives taken by the HISC
• Senate Bill 2920, which would allocate an as-yet unspecified appropriation for a pilot program in Hawaii County to combat the little fire ant
• Senate Bill 2347 dealing with the handling of nursery stock and materials to prevent the movement of invasive species between islands
• House Bill 1994, which would regulate the movement of nursery materials and establish civil fines for those transporting coqui or little fire ants to other counties