They hitch a ride on a cargo ship, sneak into Hawaii-bound packages and stowaway in airplanes. They can wreak havoc on Hawaii’s delicate ecosystem, destroying watersheds and agricultural lands. They are invasive species — both plants and animals. We
They hitch a ride on a cargo ship, sneak into Hawaii-bound packages and stowaway in airplanes.
They can wreak havoc on Hawaii’s delicate ecosystem, destroying watersheds and agricultural lands.
They are invasive species — both plants and animals.
We were happy to hear about an iguana caught in Honolulu last week. An inspector from the state Department of Agriculture caught the 3-foot-long lizard, but it is unclear where the creature originated.
In May, The Garden Island newspaper reported that a Jackson’s chameleon was found in a residential area of Lihue. A man walking his dog spotted the animal, which was perched on a chain link fence.
These types of lizards can pose a serious threat to our environment.
These introduced reptiles compete with native animals for food and habitats.
A seemingly harmless creature (that Jackson’s chameleon does look really neat), can cause serious damage.
According to the Kauai Invasive Species Committee, these types of chameleons may be undergoing a range expansion in high elevations, which could cause irreversible damage to Kauai’s native ecosystem.
KISC’s mission is to prevent, control or eliminate threatening invasive plant and animal species in order to preserve the island’s native biodiversity. They work with a network of volunteers and organizations across the state to educate the public about its priority target pests.
These include coqui frogs, mongoose, cattail, little fire ant, fireweed, fountain grass, ivy gourd, long-thorn kiawe, false kava, miconia, pampas grass and giant reed.
No community isolated by a large ocean can shrug off the risks these plants and animals pose to an island. While a single species may not destroy the island’s ecosystem, it can drastically change its character.
Imagine visiting the Kilauea Lighthouse with only a few bird sightings because an overrun mongoose population has eaten eggs and hatchlings.
Imagine driving along the Westside, and a Hanapepe population of fountain grass has overtaken the hillsides, making it look more like an African Savannah instead of a dry forest. It also makes excellent fuel for brush fires.
And as you close your eyes to go to sleep, you hear a high-pitch call of the coqui frog, which is annoying from dusk until down.
KISC and its partners work to benefit the entire Garden Isle — whether it’s visitors, residents or second homeowners — who come to Kauai to work and play from these pests.
As residents of the Garden Isle, we have an obligation to understand what invasive species can damage our island, and report whenever we see these pests.
Our policymakers should also siphon funds to these organizations for research and to add staff members, who work in the field to reduce the impacts on invasive species.
