Interagency MOU for the Prevention,Rapid Response, & Control orEradication of High Priority Pests
Among the HDOA, UH and DLNRHAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL MEETINGWEDNESDAY, MAY 29, 2024

Agenda• Review of the MOU• Background• Goal• Definition of participants• Summary of agreed upon terms• Important dates• Relevant Legislation• Developing county-based actions plans

BACKGROUND•

Multi-agency responses occurring in each of the counties; rapid response and ongoing management• 2021 multi-agency efforts to control naturalized population of coqui begins on Oahu
• 2022 largest infestation of little fire ant detected on Kauaʻi, increased infestations on WindwardOʻahu• 2023 CRB detected on Kauai, Hawaii Island , and Maui•

Workshop in early 2024 to clarify roles and responsibilities•

Challenges• Lack of regular and consistent communication amongst the agencies and partner organizations• No real lead for some actions or on responses• Conflicting or confusing public messaging• No protocols or agreement on data sharing• Lack of resources and capacity

GoalThe goals of this MOU are the prevention of new infestations, the containment anderadication of all incipient infestations, and the control/containment of existing infestationsof coqui frog (Eleutherodactylus coqui), little fire ant (Wasmannia auropunctata), andcoconut rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) (hereinafter collectively referred to as“High Priority Pests”) through early detection and rapid response by all the Signatories andPartners to this MOU.

Definitions of participants• Signatories – leadership of HDOA, DLNR and UH• Partners – HDOA, DLNR, HISC, UH PCSU – BIISC, KISC, MISC, MoMISC, OISC, HAL, CGAPS,UH CRB ResponseAgreed Upon Terms - Summary• The Partners will collaborate, coordinate, and work jointly with each other and withother stakeholders - including sister agencies at federal and state levels as well as private
landowners, counties, non-governmental organizations, communities, and universities to proactively identify and carry out projects to prevent the introduction and spread of,and control or eradicate, where possible, High Priority Pests.
• The Partners will manage and be responsible for their activities when undertaking
collaborative efforts related to High Priority Pests. They will oversee the proper
utilization of their resources, funds, and personnel unless otherwise delegated throughan Incident Command System implemented by HDOA. Each Partner will carry out its
separate activities, where appropriate and applicable, in a coordinated and mutually
beneficial manner under this MOU.

Agreed Upon Terms - Summary• Regular Meetings:• Representatives of each Partner who works directly on field response will meetmonthly each calendar year
• Representatives of Partners will participate in additional meetings or island-basedmeetings as needed.
• Each Partner will designate a representative or representatives to attend meetings.
• The Signatories of this MOU agree to meet quarterly to evaluate the progress madeunder this MOU and adjust actions as needed to carry out its goals and purpose.
• The designated Partners and Signatories to this MOU will attend annual meetings toreview the MOU and update it as needed.
• Signatories to this MOU shall update HISC on progress under this MOU at the regularsemi-annual HISC meetings.

Agreed Upon Terms - Summary• Action/Response Plans: Partners will develop action/response plans for each county• little fire ants within five months• coconut rhinoceros beetle and coqui frogs within twelve months of the signing of this MOU• Responsibilities in the response plans can be modified for prevention and containment through consensus
with all Partners.
• Detailed Response Matrices• Within three months from the date of signing of this MOU, detailed matrices for the prevention, rapid
response, control, and eradication of little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and coqui frog
• Little fire ant: A response matrix for Little Fire Ant is attached as Attachment 2 to this MOU. The Little Fire Ant
matrix is a work in progress and may be revised, as described above.
• Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle. CRB Response will lead, and the Partners will participate in, the development of
the response matrix for CRB with all Partners except HAL.
• Coqui Frog. The Partners will participate in developing a response matrix for coqui frog with all Partners
except HAL and CRB Response.

Agreed Upon Terms - Summary• Data Sharing• Partners will develop standards and protocols to share data related to High-Priority Pests
within twelve months of the signing of this MOU.
• all information shall be kept strictly confidential and not be made available to any individualorganization without the prior written consent of the Partner who provided the data
• HDOA or DLNR has an ongoing investigation or legal proceeding that prevents the sharing ofdata, the data will not be shared until such time as the case or proceeding is formally andcompletely closed by HDOA or DLNR
• Survey and Treatment Protocols• Partners will agree on and commit to consistent survey and treatment protocols for surveyand control, including protocols for data collection (data points, treatment records, dates,etc.) for High Priority Pests. Nothing in this commitment prohibits a Partner from establishingor using more stringent or data-intensive protocols.

Agreed Upon Terms - Summary• Term of MOU. This MOU shall take effect on the date of the last signature hereto andshall remain in effect for five years unless extended by the agreement of the partners.
• Amendments. This MOU shall not be amended except in writing and signed by theSignatories. Any written amendments shall be affixed hereto and shall become fullconditions of this MOU.
• Termination: This MOU may be terminated by any Signatory to the extent of that
Signatory's roles under the MOU by providing 60 days written notice for all theSignatories.

Points of Contact• Each Partner will designate a point of contact from each county for the Partners and thepublic, including points of contact for public reports, sample submission, follow-up foreach High Priority Pest, and participation in the development of the action/responseplans. Each partner must designate a point of contact for little fire ant within thirty days
after the signing of this MOU and for coconut rhinoceros beetle and coqui frogs, withinsixty days after the signing of this MOU.
• Upon completion, the initial list of designated point of contacts and each list thereafter,
including contact information, will be attached to this MOU. Each Partner may update its
designated point of contact by email to all the other Partners.

Timeline for Implementation
April 19, 2024: Signed

May 13, 2024:
Monthly meeting ofpartners

May 24, 2024: BLNR
Approval of MOUMay 29, 2024: HISC
Meeting

Jul 19, 2024: Matrices
for LFA, CRB, andCoqui complete

September 19, 2024:
LFA Action Plancomplete

April 2025: Partnerand Signatory Annual
Meeting

April 2029: MOUExpiration• Ongoing Meetings
May 19, 2024: POCs
• Signatories meet quarterly – July,LFA
October 2024, January, April 2025
• Partners meet monthly inJune 19, 2024: POCs
addition to county led meetings –for CRB, Coqui
recurring 2nd Monday of themonth
April 19, 2025: CRBand Coqui Action• Signatories to this MOU shallPlans complete &Data Sharing Protocols
update HISC on progress under
this MOU at the regular semiannual HISC meetings.

HB 2619 – Biosecurity Bill
• $1.5M –CRB Response• $2M – Public Awareness Campaign• $2.5M – LFA response• $100k – Coqui Frog Response• $100k – Invasive Species Outreach• $101k – Invasive Ant Specialist

DEVELOPING COUNTY-BASED ACTION PLANS