Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 33, Number 3, 1 March 2016 — Rapid ʻŌhia Death spreading [ARTICLE]

Rapid ʻŌhia Death spreading

A disease killing native 'ōhia trees is spreading through Hawai'i Island forests and is now detected in Kona and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. The aerial survey, conducted over 8U2 hours, covered about 810,000 acres, or two-thirds of Hawai'i Island's 'ōhia forests. The results show that the infestation has more than doubled since 2014 and now affects approximately 34,000 acres of 'ōhia forest. 'Ōhia trees provide a habitat for plants, animals and invertebrates and their forests protect watersheds that provide significant agriculture and drinking water across the state. "Unfortunately Rapid 'Ōhia Death is spreading mueh quicker than we had hoped," said Flint Hughes, of the USDA Forest Service. In response, federal, state and county agencies are urging those who enter the forests and work with 'ōhia to take extra precautions so the wilt doesn't kill more trees. J.B. Friday, the extention forester with the University of Hawai'i College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, said, "We know that the state Department of Agriculture's moratorium on the transport and shipment of 'ōhia plants and parts is having a positive effect on curbing the spread. It's impossible

to determine whether the ban on 'ōhia shipping is 100 percent effective and that's why we are trying to get the word out to all forest users, nurseries and lei makers that Rapid 'Ōhia Death is fast killing what is considered one of the most important forest trees in Hawai'i." Visit www.rapidohiadeath.org for more information.