Invasive Species

The silent invasion of Hawai'i by insects, disease organisms, snakes, weeds, and other pests is the single greatest threat to Hawai'i's economy and natural environment and to the health and lifestyle of Hawai'i's people. Pests already cause millions of dollars in crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the spread of disease. But many more harmful pests now threaten to invade Hawai'i and wreak further damage. Even one new pest--like the brown tree snake--could forever change the character of our islands. Stopping the influx of new pests and containing their spread is essential to Hawai'i's future well-being.

Despite the efforts of more than 20 state, federal, and private agencies, unwanted alien pests are entering Hawai'i at an alarming rate - about 2 million times more rapid than the natural rate. In 1993, the federal Office of Technology Assessment declared Hawai'i's alien pest species problem the worst in the nation. Hawai'i's evolutionary isolation from the continents, and its modern role as the commercial hub of the Pacific make these islands particularly vulnerable to destruction by alien pests. Gaps in current pest prevention systems and a lack of public awareness add further to this serious problem. (Text courtesy of CGAPS.)

The State of Hawai'i, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is an important partner in the effort to control this problem in Hawai'i. Several programs are offered through DOFAW or in partnership with independent organizations. Below are a few important links.

Hawaii Invasive Species Council Act 85 of the 2003 Hawai'i State Legislature statutorily established the Hawaii Invasive Species Council to address the invasive species problem in Hawai'i.

Horticultural Weeds Information about invasive plants that arrive as a result of the horticultural trade.

CGAPS The Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species (CGAPS) is a multi-agency partnership to coordinate more effective protection for Hawai'i's economy, environment, health, and way of life from harmful alien pests.

HEAR The mission of the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR) is to provide technology, methods, and information to decision-makers, resource managers, and the general public to help support effective science-based management of harmful non-native species in Hawai'i and the Pacific.

Invasive Species Committees Island-based committees that target specific incipient threats to their island.

Weed Risk Assessment Information about the tool developed to help minimize introduction of invasive plants through the horticulture trade.

Cats Indoors! An information campaign, which encourages people to keep their cats indoors for the safety of birds and the cats themselves.

Hawaii Association of Watershed Partnerships HAWP is an association that represents individual watershed partnerships statewide. These watershed partnerships are doing important work to control invasive species such as feral ungulates through fencing and other management actions on public and private land.