HISC-funded Public Outreach in FY09
Report on Efficacy of Public Outreach on Invasive Species
The coordinated effort to educate the public about invasive species by the Hawaii Invasive
Species Council Public Outreach Working Group (HISC POWG) staff and member agencies has
been successful, as measured by public awareness surveys, target audience surveys andadditional measures of efficacy listed in the Strategic Plan. The HISC POWG utilized $312,000
to support outreach staff and activities in each county. HISC POWG funds partially supported
four county-based positions (the remainder of their salaries supplied by Invasive SpeciesCommittees); part of the funds for one part time person to manage the HISC website andelectronic information; and two full time statewide positions to focus on bigger picture outreachprojects.
The HISC POWG funds and staff add needed capacity to statewide invasive species programs inthree ways: it provides funds for dedicated outreach staff positions in each county, fundingfor outreach materials and media services, and a mechanism to coordinate outreachmessages and actions across the state. Outreach staff persons in each county brought invasive
species information to communities via booths at public events, public presentations, print andelectronic news articles and stories, radio and television ads and programming. Additional
outreach to specific groups leveraged our overall efforts, including conducting teacher training
sessions on invasive species curriculum for schools, working with landscape and nursery groups
to promote the use of the Weed Risk Assessment and voluntary codes of conduct, and working
with existing groups such as the Sierra Club and Hawai‘i Trail and Mountain Club to promoteawareness and report forest pests.
The HISC POWG worked to promote the following messages/concepts:• Protect Hawai‘i.
• Report a Pest to 643-PEST (7378).
• Don’t Dump Aquarium Pets or Plants.
• Don’t Plant a Pest.
• Don’t Pack a Pest.
• Report Dead Birds to 211, or www.gotdeadbird.org.
• Don’t Sell or Buy a Pest.
• Keep Pets Contained.
• Buy Local.
• Plant Native Species.
Outreach resulted in a reduction in importation, planting and sale of invasive ornamentalplants.
The HISC POWG continued statewide outreach to the plant industry on the benefits ofusing the Hawai‘i Pacific Weed Risk Assessment (HPWRA), which asks 49 questions about aplant to determine if it might become invasive if planted in Hawai‘i. Unlike the import rules foranimals, most species of plants are allowed to be imported into Hawai‘i without review todetermine if they might be invasive. Furthermore, the difficulty in listing known invasive plantson the State Noxious Weeds List ensures that known pest plants continue to be grown and sold.
In the absence of protective laws and rules, the HISC POWG identified outreach to the plant
industry as one of the most important outreach projects. The HPWRA technicians and project issponsored by the HISC Prevention Working Group.
A plant industry personnel survey of Landscape Industry Council of Hawai‘i participants
was conducted in May-June of 2008 to gauge awareness and support for the various initiatives toslow the introduction and spread of invasive ornamental plants. Results from 104 completedsurveys show that industry members are largely aware of one or more of the current voluntary
initiatives to reduce invasive plant species in Hawai‘i, and that receiving this information haschanged their plant use.

Have you read or heard about theHPWRA?
5%35%

4%

56%

Yes
NoI don't know
No answer

Figure 1. 56% of those that answered this question had heard of the HPWRA. Of
these, 91% believe that the HPWRA can provide useful information about
potential invasiveness of plants in Hawai‘i and 30% said that receiving
HPWRA information resulted in a change in their plant use.
Outreach builds public reporting networks:
1. Statewide public reporting network for snake sightings and other invasive species
One of the findings of public awareness surveys by the Coordinating Group on Alien Pest
Species was that people largely did not know whom to call to report invasive species such assnakes. In addition, Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s pest hotline was an O‘ahu number,which was a toll call for neighbor islanders, and neighbor island offices were not open on
evenings or weekends to answer calls. HISC funds supported the set-up costs for 643-PEST, a
direct-dial hotline number that uses a computer program to route calls to the nearest Hawai‘i
Department of Agriculture office during normal work hours, and forwards calls to the HDOA
office at the Honolulu International Airport for response during evening and weekend hours.
This hotline is toll-free for callers and is staffed at least 20 hours per day.
The HISC POWG continued engaging the public in monitoring for and reporting ofinvasive species to the hotline. An informed public can be the crucial link in the early detection
and rapid response to unwanted species like snakes, and can prevent new infestations ofcurrently localized pests such as coqui frogs and Little Fire Ants.

Figure 4. News of coqui detected in Kailua, O‘ahu resulted in 273 calls to 643PEST on November 4, 2008 alone. HISC funds supported the implementation ofa new statewide pest hotline phone number in 2005. Since then, the HISC POWG
has worked to increase awareness and use of the number to report sightings ofinvasive pests.
The pest hotline number is featured inevery talk given by POWG outreachstaff statewide, and at community booths
and on materials such as magnets,
pencils and pens for the public. As partof a HISC-funded outreach project toencourage plant industry personnel toreport sightings of new insect pests, a pest hotline logo was created in 2009. Outreach funds
have also been used to continue to air a pest hotline radio jingle sung by Frank DeLima.
2. Public participates in early detection program for WNV and avian influenza.
Building the state’s ability to quickly detect new diseases such as West Nile Virus(WNV) and avian influenza (AI) has been a HISC priority, with portions of the program
funded by the Prevention Working Group (HDOH sampling and lab costs) and theEstablished Pests Working Group (delivering dead birds to labs for testing). Arrival ofeither of these diseases could happen anywhere in the state, and it would result in birds
becoming sick and dying. The HISC POWG worked to inform the public and engage themin the early detection and reporting network by asking them to report dead birds to the 211
hotline, or online at www.gotdeadbird.com. HISC POWG staff and participants assistedwith outreach for this message, and the USFWS supported the statewide radio broadcast of
a 30-second radio ad which began on May 12, 2008 and aired on alternate weeks throughNovember 30, 2008.

Figure 3. With articles and television news media stories waning, the HISC
POWG turned to radio ads to increase awareness and reporting of dead birds.
Website visits increase between May 12 and November 30, 2008 with statewide
radio ads (funded by USFWS). Dead bird reports also rose during that timeperiod.
3.
Outreach in communities reached over 50,000 people
The value of direct community outreach via staffed displays at community events, schoolpresentations and similar venues is not easy to calculate. At community events andpresentations, staff field questions about the importance of biosecurity, of detecting and reporting
pests such as coqui frogs, little fire ants and other pests, and people are provided with outreachmaterials for future reference. Presentations to groups like the nursery industry, school teachers,
hiking and diving clubs continue to be a high priority. More than 50,000 people were reached inthis manner between September 2008 and August 31, 2009.
4.
Electronic media supports HISC messages
The HISC website, www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org received more than 63,300 visits over theyear ending August 31, 2009. Outreach funds also provided partial support for posting materials
to the website and list serves, and for implementing other electronic media methods.

5.

Number of education materials produced.

Materials range from refrigerator magnets, key rings, and pens to posters, brochures, displays
and printed and portable document format (PDF) newsletters, as well as a statewide HTMLemail newsletter. See details in project sections below.
6.

Public awareness surveys.

In 2004, 2006 and 2007 outreach efficacy has been measured by CGAPS and the HISC POWG
using professional research companies to conduct periodic telephone surveys of a representative
number of residents statewide, to gain a sense of public awareness, concern, and support.
Funding for the 2007 survey was provided by the HISC POWG, and results may be found at
http://www.hawaiiinvasivespecies.org/cgaps/whitepapersreports.html.
7.
Number of invasive species educational programs and community events
implemented by staff.
Logged number of educational programs and events totals 58.

8.

Number of volunteers recruited and/or referred to invasive species projects.

A statewide total of over 2,572 volunteer hours have been logged. This does not account for allvolunteer hours from staff and partners who have given time to invasive species efforts which
could add up to several hundred more hours.
9.

Number of people reached through media.

It is difficult to gauge how many people are actually reached through the print and broadcast
media. Over the past year there have been over 50 mentions of the HISC or HISC projects in themedia. Given the combined estimated audiences of radio, newspaper, magazine, and television
coverage, the potential number of people reached more than 250,000.

Other Outreach Measures of effectiveness by project:
OISC
1) Agency adoption of rules and policies against invasive species•OISC, along with HDOT, submitted comments to and met with Honolulu Rail Transit todiscuss measures to decrease the likelihood that construction of the proposed rail system
will introduce new invasive species to O‘ahu. Transit officials agreed to use the Hawai‘i
Weed Risk Assessment when choosing plants and to require that construction companies
bringing heavy equipment to O‘ahu ensure that it is free of dirt, insects and plant parts.
2) Number of educational materials produced.
The OISC outreach specialist created the following educational materials:•Information about remote monitoring for coqui frogs that will be used by nurseries.
•A video showing OISC removing miconia.
•Updated “It’s easy to be Weed Wise” brochure that informs people about the Weed Risk
Assessment and which plants to avoid in landscaping.
3) Number of people reached through talks and displays.
•OISC’s outreach program incorporates the HISC outreach objectives and messages into
all outreach activities. In 2009, OISC reached 4,547 people through public events andtalks. OISC facilitated news coverage about miconia and is using social networking tools
to reach a wider audience.
4) Number of volunteers recruited and/or referred to invasive species projects.
•OISC’s volunteer program garnered 1,096 volunteer hours to work on invasive species
removal projects
Other activities:•Participated in state-wide service trip that included personnel from each Invasive Species
Committee to remove invasive species from Koke‘e State Park. The combined crew of 64

people removed 28,927 Kahili ginger, 1701 smoke bush, 891 privet and 4,682 strawberry
guava.

KISC
1) Agency adoption of rules and policies against invasive species• KISC collaborated with the Kaua‘i Landscaping Industry Council (KLIC) to host aworkshop in December at the National Tropical Botanical Garden to review the statewide
HASLA/LICH-approved Weed Risk Assessment list of invasive ornamentals resulting inan adoption of the a new list, adding over 125 new plants to the “don’t sell list” from theoriginal Voluntary Codes of Conduct signed by KLIC in 2006 (also facilitated by KISC).
2) Number of educational materials produced.
The KISC/Kaua‘i HISC outreach specialist created the following educational materials:•Several “Weed of the Week” fliers highlighting various KISC target and invasive
ornamentals in conjunction with radio program.
•Fliers in English and Hawaiian about rodent control operations on Lehua Island near
Ni‘ihau•Fliers for Arbor Day with web resources on horticultural invasives and native species
alternatives for landscape use•
Assisted with the production of a student-produced PSA on snowflake coral•
Designed agricultural specific invasive species photos and trivia for the “Wheel ofInvasive Misfortune.”•Distributed X amount of Coqui Notification Fliers•
Published X amount of KISC newsletters•
Native and invasive species “memory game” cards for aina-based education initiatives,such as Malama Kaua‘i, also given to local teachers as a resource3) Number of people reached through talks and displays.
•KISC’s outreach program incorporates the HISC outreach objectives and messages into
all outreach activities. This year, KISC reached 5,133 people through public events suchas Garden Fair, Kaua‘i County Fair, Banana Poka Roundup, and Ag Awareness Day.
KISC also had displays at the local library and assisted with an environmentally focused
display mentioning invasive species as a threat to Kaua‘i’s native treasures in the airport.
•KISC reached 924 people through talks to groups like rotary clubs, school visits, direct
audiences like boat dive operators and fishermen, hiking tours, Governor’s advisory
council, DLNR sponsored private landowners workshop, Agricultural Forum, andvolunteers and staff for many Kaua‘i based organizations.
4) Number of volunteers recruited and/or referred to invasive species projects.
• In all KISC presentations, information for volunteer opportunities with Koke`e Resource
Conservation Program and the National Tropical Botanical Gardens is given out forinvasive removal work in natural areas and restoration sites.
5) Events
KISC helped to implement and/or coordinate several community-based efforts that helped toraise awareness about invasive species.

•••Assisted with the coordination of the Pacific Invasives Learning Network Biosecurity
workshop on O‘ahu in June, focusing on strengthening communications between
Hawai‘i’s top trading partners
Chaired the Arbor Day committee, an event attracting over 400 people, with an invasive
species bounty, educational booths, over 1500 native species given away
Assisted in the coordination of the annual Newell’s Shearwater blessing, reaching out toNative Hawaiian student communities and raising awareness about invasive species
threats to seabirds6) Media Hits
• Assisted with all press releases for the Lehua Restoration Project• Submitted releases (all with invasive species mentions) for arbor day, shearwater
blessing, the ISC staff retreat, pampas grass removal, and the KLIC adoption of WRA
list. Stories appeared in The Garden Island, Kaua‘i People, Honolulu Advertiser, and theHawai‘i Landscaping magazine• KISC appeared on Kaua‘i public radio 27 times this year. There are about 950 listenersof the Garden Show, where KISC would talk about the weed of the week and otherinvasive species issues.

MoMISC
1) Agency adoption of rules and policies against invasive species.
MoMISC’s Field and Outreach Coordinator recommended and was successful in getting several
private and government projects to incorporate invasive species protocols in their projects. Acurrent DOT bridge project for Moloka‘i valued at $7.4 million dollars was conditioned toincorporate HDOT’s invasive species protocols in its project. A part of the agreement includes$20,000 dollars for mitigation of accidental invasive species spread from the project.
2) Number of educational materials produced.
MoMISC has only two full time staff, but provides outreach and data management services aswell. Despite limited time to create outreach products, a recent survey contracted by US Fish andWildlife showed that the residents of Moloka‘i ranked the highest in the state in their knowledgeof invasive species and protecting the environment. MoMISC has produced the following
products, many of which can be downloaded off the www.hear.org website:• Over 40 MoMISC pest fliers, including new target species and other pests of concern• Several power point presentations for educational outreach for public and private groups,
MoMISC/MISC meetings and Maui Community College botany class.
• Invasive species outreach materials for the Moloka‘i Airport kiosk as well as theMoMISC Invasive Species Board at the Kaunakakai harbor. Sample topics included“Stop Buying and Stop Planting” and “Here / Not Here,” a showcase of pests on islandand pests for prevention.
• A display and interactive invasive species game for the annual Earth Day event.
3) Number of people reached through talks and displays.
In FY2009, MoMISC reached over 3,000 people through public and private displays andpresentations.

4) Number of volunteers recruited and/or referred to invasive species projects.
MoMISC prioritizes its time in working to foster long-standing assistance from otherconservation partners and their professional trained staff. By facilitating positive professional
partnerships, MoMISC’s small staff is able to be successful in fulfilling its mission.
• MoMISC was successful in securing over 847 contributed partner hours.

AIST
The AIST has participated in four education and outreach events since April 2009. For Earthday, the AIST set up a booth at the Waikiki Aquarium, with educational
pamphlets and a poster about super sucker and the algae problem inKaneohe Bay. Children were reminded to malama the ocean by creatingfish crowns with limu attached to them. Other events included teaching in
two separate classrooms at Kamiloiki elementary, giving a talk about
invasive species distribution and abundance on Oahu. AIST also
participated in a Navigating Change Outreach fair at Maunalua Bay Beach
Park, where team members helped thechildren sculpt the Hawaiian island chain andplot out locations of alien algae. The otherclassroom event created informative posters
about the algae pull in Maunalua Bay and the impacts ofAvrainvillea amadelpha. In early 2009 the New York Times ran anarticle on the Supersucker program and their work in Kaneohe Bay.
See link for video
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2009/02/19/science/1194837960943/vaccu
uming-the-reef.html?th&emc=th