Volunteer events, free webinars, and awards focus on protecting Hawai?i

HONOLULU - Today marks the beginning of Hawai?i Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM), an annual campaign to prevent and minimize the impacts of invasive species and highlight the positive steps being taken to protect our islands.

HISAM is hosted by the Hawai?i Invasive Species Council (HISC), an inter-departmental collaboration co-chaired by the Hawai?i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) and the DLNR. Partners include the Hawai?i Department of Health, University of Hawai?i, the Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism, and the Hawai?iDepartment of Transportation.

The month-long campaign will include a series of free webinars offered by local experts, volunteer opportunities across Hawai?i, and awards celebrating community members’ efforts to combat what the Hawai?i State Legislature has described as “the single greatest threat to Hawai?i’s economy, natural environment, and the health and lifestyle of Hawai?i’s people and visitors.”

This year’s theme is “Who Protects Hawai?i? We All Do,” underscoring the collaborative approach necessary to address and effectively manage the risks invasive species pose.

Activity and event topics will focus on effective biosecurity measures, current pests including little fire ants (LFA) and the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), as well as community and youth engagement and ways we all can help.

“Biosecurity is a k?kou thing,” said DLNR Chair Dawn Chang. “This year’s theme highlights that everyone has kuleana for protecting Hawai?i against invasive species, including community members and staff from all of our partner agencies.”

“Hawai?i’s agriculture and environment are in a constant battle with many invasive pests and diseases,” said HDOA Chair Sharon Hurd. “We need everyone’s awareness and k?kua to help defend against these threats to our islands.”

As part of the awareness effort, events and volunteer opportunities will be held across the state for those who would like to get involved in the fight against invasive species. Participants can survey for invasive plants on O?ahu’s north shore, remove weeds from remote forests on Maui, restore critical bird habitat on Hawai?i Island, and more. Visit the HISC website for a full schedule of events.