MINTUES FOR THE
MEETING OF THE
HAWAII INVASIVE SPECIES COUNCIL
DATE:
TIME:
PLACE:TUESDAY, JULY 18, 2006
8:30 A.M.
HAWAII DEPARTEMNT OF HEALTH
5TH FLOOR CONFERENCE ROOM
919 ALA MOANA BOULEVARD
HONOLULU, HI 96813

Chairperson Peter Young called the meeting of the Hawaii Invasive Species Council toorder at 8:50 a.m. The following were in attendance:

MEMBERS:
Mr. Peter Young, DLNR
Mr. Sam Callejo, UH
Mr. Jerry Haruno, DOH

Ms. Sandra Kunimoto, DOA
Mr. Rodney Haraga, DOT
Ms. Liz Corbin, DBEDT

AGENCY AND LEGISLATIVE REPRESENTATIVES:
Mr. Bill Spitz, County of Kauai
Senator Russel Kokubun
Mr. Garrett Kashimoto, DCCA
Mr. Mike Robinson DHHL

Senator J. Kalani English
Representative Cliff Tsuji
Mr. Earl Cambell, USFWS
B. G. Gary Ishikawa, DOD

OTHERS:
Ms. Linda Chow, Deputy Attorney General’s Office
Mr. Erick Cremer, DOH
Ms. Nancy Cook Lauer, Stephens Media GroupMs. Vanessa Falke, University of Bern
NJ. Liquido, USDA
Mr. Paul J. Conry, DLNR
Dr. Mindy Wilkinson, DLNR
Mr. Mark Defley, DLNR
Dr. Lyle Wong, DOA
Mr. Domingo Cravalho, DOA
Ms. Carol Okada, DOA
Ms. Teya Penniman, MISC
Ms. Julie Leialoha, BISC
Ms. Rachel Neville, OISC
Mr. Mike Robinson
Mr. Bill Durston, Leilani Nursery Inc.
Mr. Carl Miura
Mr. Paul Singleton, UH-Manoa
Mr. Jeff Burgett, USFWSMr. Alan Takemoto, Hawaii Farm Bureau
Mr. Kelvin Sunada, DOH
Mr. Mark Fox, The Nature Conservancy
Ms. Priscilla Billig, HISC

Mr. Chris Dacus, DOT

Mr. Kelvin Sunata, DOH{Note: language for deletion is [bracketed], new/added is underlined}
Item 2:

Approval of Minutes of January 19, 2006

The following amendments were made to the minutes
1.

Page 1 to include those present at the January 19, 2006 meeting“Members

Mr. Peter Young, DLNR
Mr. Laurence Lau DOH

Ms. Sandra Kunimoto, DOA
Ms. Liz Corbin, DBEDT
Staff

Dr. Mindy Wilkinson, DLNR
Dr. Lyle Wong, DOA

Mr. Ken Teramoto, DOA
Ms. Carol Okada, DOA
OthersMr. Rob Parsons, County of Maui
Ms. Lisa Naputi, USDA WS
Mr. Keevin Minami, DOA
Ms. Amy Takahashi, HDOA
Mr. Mark Defley, DLNR

2.

Mr. Mike Robinson, DHHL
Mr. Billy Kenoi, County of Hawaii
Ms. Linda Chow, Deptuy AG
Mr. Morris Tamanaha, Airports
Mr. Jeff Burgett, USFWSPage 3 under the heading “Working Group”“Neal – 20 projects of pests including [gull] gall wasps. Working with U.H.
to suppress [gull] gall wasp population with various pesticides and chemicaltreatment as well as biological control methods.”

3.

Page 9“Sandra – Modified to say an investigation to provide [rules]
recommendations on conduct. Should be inclusive. Suggest a working groupto do this type of plan”

Unanimously approved as amended (Kunimoto/Haraga).
Item 3:Presentation of the Draft Statewide Plan for Coqui Frog Management2Mindy Wilkinson, Invasive Species Coordinator for the Department of Land and Natural
Resources (DLNR) indicated over the last several years significant time and resources
have been spent addressing coqui frogs. County representatives have asked thelegislature for more funding to help deal with this issue on their respective islands. Dr.
Wilkinson spoke of the efforts of the Department of Agriculture (DOA) quarantine
branch in trying to stop coqui frogs from being transported interisland as well as
impacting our export markets. DLNR-Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) is
addressing the issue by supporting the development of the Invasive Species Committees.
The plan presented stemmed from an initial meeting June 2005 when a group of agency
representatives gathered in Hilo to conduct a statewide summary meeting which
addressed what their goals were in terms of what research needed to be done regarding
coqui frogs and what the control priorities were. Based on that meeting and otherdiscussions the committee created a document, which summarized what the agency’sroles were in terms of control, prevention and outreach. Using that document thecommittee looked at what the alternatives were if we did nothing and the out come if we
implemented a plan and how much it would cost. Dr. Wilkinson provided the memberswith the executive summary in its draft form and went through the document. She
invited those present to review the document and to provide feedback as to reflect what
each agency is doing. It is Dr. Wilkinson’s hope that next year after the $2 million
dollars appropriated by the legislature for the purpose of controlling coqui frogs has beenspent we will be able to show what we’ve done with those monies. Dr. Wilkinson went
on to discuss the coqui frog population on each of the islands specifying the areas thefrogs are in existence and what each county is doing to control and eradicate the coquifrog population.
Senator Kokubun asked for clarification as to the procedure of what will happen after
comments are received on the Draft Statewide Plan. Dr. Wilkinson pointed out thisdocument is not a required planning document and is not tied to any funding so there will
be no formal adoption of a plan but this document will provide information as to what
other agencies are doing with regards to the Management, Research and Education Planin Hawaii’s Coqui Frog and provide both a vehicle for coordination and a benchmark forthe impact and effects of control actions. Dr. Wilkinson plans to release the final versionof the plan by September. Should the public want to receive the Statewide Plan for
Coqui Frogs or provide comments they could do so by contacting Dr. Wilkinson.
Dr. Earl Campbell testified that there have already been a large number of people thathave reviewed the plans and have provided comments. He spoke of his efforts in dealing
with invasive species control, specifically vertebrates, disclosing that there are very
limited broad scale success and people need to have this in mind and be realistic. He
suggested that others worldwide who have worked on this type of plan be able tocomment on the draft executive summary.
Representative Cliff Tsuji spoke of a group of individuals on the Big Island who are
advocating for the coqui frog. He asked Dr. Wilkinson if there is a plan to address thisissue. She pointed out not everyone will agree with the plan but hopes that by providing3

an objective account of the actions taking place and the resources needed to achieve
specific outcomes that the plan would provide the basis for clear decision making. He
asked Ms. Wilkinson if she was aware of a voluntary policing and certification of coquifree nursery business. Dr. Wilkinson indicated knowledge of two such groups doing
voluntary coqui free certification, one the Big Island the other on Maui. She introduced
those present to Domingo Cravalho who works with individuals who are a part of thisgroup.
Domingo Cravalho of the Department of Agriculture (DOA), Plant Quarantine Branch let
it be known the Kohala Coalition started a program called “Coqui Free Hawaii.” In the
beginning the group had problems as it was a voluntary, non-regulatory group of nursery
growers. Since that time the group has evolved into “Stop Coqui Hawaii.” After several
meetings the group came up with a working document on an application for nursery
growers and distributors to use, which attest that they would provide plants that are coquifrog free. The document also detailed the various levels of violations. At this time theprogram is being finalized.
No Action.
Item 4:

Update and Overview of the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s
Biosecurity Initiative.

Carol Okada of the DOA announced that the first year’s money was used to look at the
programs available at DOA, Plant Quarantine. The monies allowed the department totake a new look at how things (i.e. applying for federal aid) were being handled. This
past year they’ve looked at staffing at the various islands and what more was needed.
Ms. Okada communicated that five percent (5%) of invasive species arrived in Hawaii
through Kahalui Airport while ninety-five percent (95) enter through Honolulu Airport.
On Maui, DOA focused their efforts on identifying invasive species and plants at Kahului
Harbor but due to the limited resources DOA was not able to address if insects werecoming to Hawaii on maritime cargo. At present there are on going inspections looking
at cargo coming in through Young Brothers. Another issue they would need to assesswould be the arrival of the super ferry. In order to deal with these problems DOA has
employed inspectors and dogs at the various airports. Kauai has only 2 inspectors as it
was determined that their biggest risk was the produce brought in by Young Brothers.
Kona has 3 inspectors even though they rate third in terms of cargo volume. The concern
in Kona is the private flights arriving on the island. There are little imports into Hilo sothose inspectors are looking at the pest moving in between the islands.
Ms. Okada communicated to everyone that prior to the existence of the Hawaii Invasive
Species Council (HISC) the DOA knew coqui frogs were a problem but they did not havethe funds to deal with that problem. Since HISC came into existence in the first year
they’ve conducted surveys and brought sprayers to deal with the coqui issue. On thesecond year with the funding received from HISC ($755,000) the DOA was able todesign a large hot water treatment unit which will be placed at State Plant Quarantine.
The funding has also allowed the DOA to purchase the same units for Maui and Kona.

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The funding has allowed the DOA to set up an incident command that will work with
HISC and the counties. Ms. Okada made those at the meeting aware that USDA
provided $135,000, which allowed DOA to purchase the unit, 1 steam sterilizer, 3
sprayers and the ability to complete the survey. This year’s money will buy more
sprayers. With biosecurity funds from the legislature 8 technicians will be placed in Hiloto monitor the treatment center while 2.9 million in airport funds will be used to hire 56
additional inspectors, half of them being technicians and the other half inspectors. Of
these technicians and inspectors, one third will be stationed on the Big Island, 2 on Kauai,
2 on Maui and the rest will be stationed on Oahu. The monies received this year willallow the DOA to start a state/federal inspection pilot program next month, to continue
the planning of a joint use cargo and inspection consolidation facility at Honolulu airport
and the expansion of their information system. At present, the DOA is implementing thecoqui incident command on Kauai and will be meeting with the landowner next week
while at the same time provide training for their inspectors.
An unidentified speaker questioned the allocation of inspectors on each island. Ms.
Okada pointed out the survey’s conducted is an important tool in determining theplacement of inspectors. She feels there is a lot of the risk coming from the Big Island(frogs, fire ants) so that’s where they’re sending the manpower.
Item 5:Working Group Updates

Prevention
Eric Cremer, Coordinator of Vector for Borne Disease with the Department of Healthappeared before the Council. He noted diseases can arrive in Hawaii through the air,water or on animals. He believes once a disease is introduced into Hawaii it will be hard
to control unless we catch it immediately. He believes if West Nile Virus reaches Hawaii
it could extinguish our bird population. As a way of stopping West Nile they plan to use
the containers mentioned by Ms. Okada to quarantine birds and plants. Mr. Cremer let it
be known that part of DOH’s function is to observe live and dead birds, conductmosquito control and examine larvae in ponds. He disclosed in order to prevent West
Nile from arriving into Hawaii vector control has over 113 traps set up around the islands
concentrated in the ports of entry to capture mosquitoes. These mosquitoes are thentested for West Nile Virus. As for dead birds the DOA previously ran test on all deadbirds including birds doves, pigeons, and chickens which are species that would not die
from the West Nile Virus. Instead small birds and sparrows, finches and native birds will
be tested for West Nile as the disease can prove fatal to their specie. Their goal is to test
approximately four hundred birds within the next year. A new procedure is to test live
birds that are caught at the airports to see if they carry disease. This procedure is only
conducted in Oahu and Mr. Cremer hopes to include Maui, Kauai and Hawaii within theyear.
No Action.
Tabled the remainder of the working group updates until after budget approval.

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Item 6:

Approval of the Fiscal Year 2006-2007 Hawaii Invasive Species
Council Budget.

Dr. Wilkinson announced the HISC budget has been reduced from four million dollars to
two million dollars. One new program receiving funding is the DOA Biosecurity
Initiative program as explained by Ms. Okada. The focus of the program is to increase
the number of inspectors at the ports and to improve prevention. Coqui Frogs received afunding of $2,000,000 - $1,000,000 being a grant in aid to the County of Hawaii,$500,000 to the DOA and $500,000 to DLNR ($300,000 to Hawaii, $100,000 to Maui,and $50,000 each to Kauai and Oahu for invasive species control). Dr. Wilkinson statedthat they all work with the funding available to protect Hawaii from the coqui frog
problem.
Prevention: One of the changes from previous years is that prevention has been
identified as one of the highest priority but at the same times their funding has been
reduced. Dr. Wilkinson noted the DOA has taken on the responsibility of Biosecurity
and they’ve stated that they’d try to maintain the West Nile Virus Prevention Project.
Research and Technology: The program has been dropped therefore grants will not begiven this year but the groundwork can be started and if the funding is restored themonies will be made available next year. If funding is not restored, funding to thecounties will be cut.
Response and Control: (four objectives) 1) Focus on early detection. If we know it is athreat we’ll go out and investigate (i.e. coqui frog, fire ants and stinging caterpillars). 2)
Support rapid response; 3) Planning for prevention and 4) Create shared data structures.
Invasive Species Committees: Due to reduction in state and federal funding thecommittees on Kauai and Oahu will be strongly effected which will result in laying off
staff.
Public Outreach: Three staff members hired for the program and they’ll be trying tomaintain staff over the next year.
Public Comments:
Rachel Neville representing the Oahu Invasive Species Committee (OISC) and the Kauai
Invasive Species Committee (KISC) provided the council with a hand out. She pointed
out Oahu and Kauai will have their budget cut and wanted to make the council aware of
how it would affect their programs. Ms. Neville communicated that their mission is toeradicate invasive species, prevent new species from establish itself and stop the spreadof established species. In the area of eradication, miconia and coqui frog are great
example of what they’ve been doing. Since 2001, OISC has stopped the spread of
miconia. On Kauai all flowering and mature trees have been eradicated. On Oahu, due
to budget cuts they will have only 2 field staff and the support staff will be cut to a parttime position. On Kauai they’ll be laying off 3 field staff. For Kauai this will mean thatthey will not be able to conduct surveys as quick, which will result in a tree maturing

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before they find it resulting in eradication efforts being set back. In the area of
naturalized coqui frog population on Oahu, they’re close to eradicating the population in
Wahiawa but budget cuts will result in the hiring of only two temporary individuals forthe coqui crew. This in turn will mean the crew won’t be able to spray as much resulting
in total eradiation being just out of their reach. On Kauai they are working on the lauae
population, but a cut in funding will impede eradication goals for 2007. Along with theirpartners, OISC has been able to eradicated fireweed and smoke bush on Oahu and staff
cuts will only put eradication efforts in jeopardy. In the area of preventing new species
from establishing itself, OISC has removed 2 plants. Ms. Neville announced that early
detection and rapid response funding is good for this year but if cuts continue next year it
will make it difficult for them to find and eradicate these plants while the cost associatedwith this task is cheap and easy. Addressing the issue of stopping species before they’ve
established themselves, OISC have stopped fireweed from spreading to the Koolau’s andfountain grass from spreading to the leeward coast. If funding is cut they’ll need to drop
fountain grass as a targeted species. Ms. Weville asked those present if there weremonies or grants available that her group could qualify to receive to keep their group in
mind. Her hope is next year that the funding will be restored.
An unidentified speaker commented on the long-term investment. He questions if wehave a good control over a species and funding is cut and we can not keep on top of thespecies it could end up costing us more money in the future.
Sam Callejo from the council made a motion to recommend the council ask for an
emergency appropriation of two million dollars (knowing that there is a surplus). He
suggested HISC work with governor on this request.
An unidentified speaker stressed the importance of sticking with eradication efforts
instead of putting it on the back burner and coming back several years later and seeingthat the area effected has greatly increased.
Senator Kokubun stated that members of Legislature were present to be liaisons to theircommunity in terms of the councils work and to also provide them with info as they goback to their job. He understands and appreciates what was said today.
Unanimously approved as submitted (Callejo/ Young).
Item 5 Working Group Updates, continued
Established Pests
Teya Penniman, representing the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) provided thecouncil with a map of Maui that indicated the different areas they’ve worked on withregards to dealing with invasive plants and animals. She let it be known the invasive
species committee arose as a result of a gap between agencies when they both had
jurisdiction. She spoke of the local expertise that helps them deal with eradication issues.
In terms of the eradication efforts, Ms. Penniman emphasized that the process andobjectives are similar across the islands the only thing that differs in the targeted plant or7

animal. She noted that whatever level of support the state can provide in terms of money
is very important. Ms. Penniman indicated the key elements to their success are that thecrew is very flexible in terms of the job they do and the location they are at. At present,
they are focused on early detection - on Maui they’ve driven across Maui to looked forinvasive species and prioritized their list for removal as well as the associated cost.
Approximately 8 detrimental species have had all of their known population controlled.
They are also working to involve the public by doing workshop targeted at specificgroups and providing them with some resources as to what they can do to control theplant or animal. In closing, Ms. Penniman spoke of their previous eradication efforts ofcoqui frog and banana bunchy tops population on Maui. Their future priorities are toenhance early detection, sharing their success stories and doing better job of getting out
to decision makers to show they are making efforts in eradication.
No Action.
Research and Technology
Bill Durston of Leilani Nursery and Paul Singleton of the University of Hawaii presented
the results of their improvements to a thermal treatment system for coqui frogs in nurserystock.
No Action.
Public Outreach
Maile Sakamoto of the Department of Health presented an update and summary of public
outreach activities to date.
Senator English commented that the Public Outreach Working Group met many times,
whereas other working groups have met many fewer times—especially the Interagency
Working Group, which has never met.
Rodney Haraga affirmed that the Department of Transportation would be convening thatworking group in the future.
No Action.
Meeting Adjourned by Peter Young at 11:50 a.m.

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