KAPA‘A — The Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee is recognizing Hawai‘i Invasive Species Awareness Month and its own 20th anniversary throughout February.
KISC’s contributions to the month-long, statewide events schedule organized by the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council include a three-part, virtual huaka‘i (field trip, journey) through Kaua‘i’s three realms: wao akua (upper forests), wao kanaka (lower valleys, urban areas) and wao kahakai (wetlands, ocean).
“Hawai‘i Invasive Species Awareness Month is a great opportunity for everyone across the state to learn more about the conservation efforts on every island and how they can get involved,” KISC Outreach Specialist Haylin Chock told The Garden Island.
The huaka‘i video series, titled “Kia‘i Moku,” will be uploaded to KISC’s YouTube channel in three installments scheduled throughout February.
The first, which takes place in the wao akua of Koke‘e State Park, premieres this Friday, Feb. 4, at 10 a.m.
The 15-minute film will center on groups including the Koke‘e Resource Conservation Program, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project.
“KRCP, they focus on weed control, to keep it out of places like the Alaka‘i,” Chock said. “Things like strawberry guava, Himalayan ginger, Australian tree ferns — those are big targets.”
KISC will then examine little fire ants and miconia (an invasive tree on the Hawai‘i Noxious Weed List) on Feb. 11, before concluding with the Hawai‘i Land Trust and DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources in “Huaka‘i Wao Kahakai” on Feb. 25.
But before the final “Kia‘i Moku” episode is made available, KISC will celebrate two decades of existence on Monday, Feb. 14, with a “20th Anniversary Success Stories” webinar from 10:30 to 11 a.m.
Topics will include past and ongoing efforts to eradicate invasive species like pampas grass, coqui, fireweed and miconia.
The invasive-species committee will wrap up the month with a discussion on rapid ‘ohi‘a death management, during its next “Forest Friday Talk Story” webinar, to be held Feb. 25 at 4 p.m.
For more information, email KISC at KISC@hawaii.edu.
A full schedule of Hawai‘i Invasive Species Awareness Month webinars sponsored by groups throughout the state can be found online at dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/2022hisam/.
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Scott Yunker, reporter, can be reached at 245-0437 or syunker@thegardenisland.com.
