LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Marriott and the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee teamed up last week to remove the island’s only known pampas grass population located at the Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club, according to a press release. The partnership project was
LIHU‘E — The Kaua‘i Marriott and the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee teamed up last week to remove the island’s only known pampas grass population located at the Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club, according to a press release. The partnership project was an important step in an ongoing, long-term program dedicated to habitat protection and restoration on the property.
A once commonly used ornamental, pampas grass (Cortaderia jubata), is now listed on the state noxious weed list and has become a problematic invasive species in Hawai‘i, especially on Maui, where it has spread into agricultural and natural areas creating a fire hazard and out competing other species.
Its seeds are wind dispersed, making it easy for the plant to “jump the fence” from landscape settings, earning it the title as one of Hawai‘i’s “Most Invasive Horticultural Plants” by the Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Department of Land and Natural Resources.
With native nene, stilts, plovers, koloa ducks, and coots watching, the crews worked together over a two-day period to rid the area of the infamous invasive, hauling the pulled weeds to the Kaua‘i Lagoons green waste site, where KISC will monitor for resprouts during the next several years to assure a completely successful eradication, according to the release. The site was also prepared for native plants provided by the National Tropical Botanical Garden and No Ka Oi nursery, which will replace the pampas grass and provide good nesting habitat for the abundant wildlife found on the grounds.
“This project was a win-win for the environment and community,” said Dan Shea, Director of Grounds, in the release. “It further demonstrates Marriott’s commitment to being stewards of the land. And, this project, in particular, will help Kaua‘i Lagoons Golf Club attain certification in Audubon International’s program for golf courses and the environment. Besides those benefits, the removal of this invasive species was the right thing to do.”
Kaua‘i Lagoons has been sensitive to the needs of the native and endangered species in their area, working around the birds and taking precautions not to disturb them on a daily basis. The pampas grass removal came only after the end of the recent nene mating season.
“This sets an island-wide example,” said Keren Gundersen, Project Manager of KISC, “demonstrating that businesses can play a huge and positive role by eliminating invasive weeds from their land so that habitat for native species can be enhanced. It was one of the best partnership projects we’ve ever had.”
This is the last known population of pampas grass on Kaua‘i after two other small populations had already been removed by KISC years ago. “It was very exciting and satisfying,” said Gundersen, “but, we definitely need the community’s help to make sure Kaua‘i is and can stay pampas grass free. We ask that if anyone knows of a population or spots a pampas grass plant to please call the hotline at 643-PEST.”
To learn more about pampas grass or to see photos for identification, go to www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/pests/pampasgrass.html
•The Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee is a voluntary partnership of government, private and nonprofit organizations, and concerned individuals working to prevent, control, or eliminate the most threatening invasive plant and animal species in order to preserve Kaua‘i’s native biodiversity and minimize adverse ecological, economic and social impacts.
