Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

Home
United States
Hilo, HI
Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC)

Working to empower and help our Big Island community fight invasive pests.

06/06/2026

June starts hurricane season in Hawaiʻi and now is the time to check your property for albizia.

Albizia is an invasive plant that grows fast and breaks fast. Its brittle wood can drop large limbs without warning and during storms these trees can create some really bad damage.

If albizia could fall on your home, driveway, road, or power line, do not cut, poison, or girdle it yourself. Call a qualified arborist.

You can also help by removing small seedlings early and treating cut stumps so they do not regrow.

Hurricane prep starts before the storm. Look up and take care of any hazardous albizia before possible high winds arrive.

Check out the link to learn more:
https://www.biisc.org/plant/albizia/

06/04/2026

We hope to see you at these upcoming events!

✨CRB Talk Story Session
Hawaiʻi Keiki Museum
June 5, 2026 from 5pm-7pm

✨King Kamehameha Day Hoʻolauleʻa
Huliheʻe Palace
June 6, 2026 from 10am-6pm

✨Seeds of Hope Benefit Concert
Hilo Palace Theater
June 13, 2026 from 4:30pm-8pm

✨HPP 3rd Saturday Talk Story - Topic TBD
HPP Activity Center
June 20, 2026 9am-10am

✨Ocean View Community Plant Pono Workshop
Ocean View Community Association
June 27, 2026 from 9am-12pm

Sign up for our digital newsletter to stay up to date on our events: https://biisc.us11.list-manage.com/signup

05/30/2026

A new pest was found in Hawaiʻi. In April 2026, Marques’ Soft Scale (MSS) was found on O’ahu in the Southern Ko’olau Mountains. This insect was found on ‘ohe (Polyscias lydgatei), an endangered native species.

MSS is a known pest of both coffee and sapodilla in Brazil and Colombia. The scales feed on phloem sap and are associated with black sooty mold, which weakens plants. In Brazil and Colombia, it is often tended by ants, including little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata).

These scales are small (~2mm long), ovular, and range in color from whitish gray, yellow, pinkish, to brown or dark gray. A glassy, waxy, brittle material covers their surface and also forms a fringe around their body. If you suspect MSS, please contact the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity ([email protected]). Please attach clear photos of the host plant, group(s) of scales, and close-up photos of the scales from different angles, and include the date and location of the infestation.

For more information and a list of host species, check outhttps://dab.hawaii.gov/pi/files/2026/05/MSS_BOLO_2026.pdf

05/28/2026

Mei means all things lei!! From May day to graduation, you’ll find traces of lei making in every nook and cranny. Whether your lei is a congratulations to the newest graduate or a “just cuz” lei, it is a gift of tangible aloha 🤍🌺

Check out some of the plants that are used for lei!!

🌱Kī (Ti), scientifically known as Cordyline fruticosa, is a very well known canoe plant found across cultural, natural, and ornamental landscapes in Hawaiʻi. Traditionally, there were numerous uses for ti leaf: hula attire, house thatching, rain capes, sandals, plates, fishnets, whistles, sleds, and of course lei!

🌱ʻAʻaliʻi, Dodonaea viscosa, is a native shrub/small tree that ranges in height from as low as 1 foot up to 30 feet tall. Traditional medicinal uses included relief for various skin conditions like rashes, ringworm, and staph infections. Seed capsules and foliage continue today to be perfect for lei-making and wreath making.

🌱Kukui, Aleurites moluccanus, is our state tree and is well known for its silvery-green foliage, which make them easily distinguishable from other plants along the valley. Hawaiians could craft lightweight canoes and fishnet floats from the soft white wood and they developed many uses for the kukui seeds as a single tree can produce 75-100 pounds annually. Shells were used in lei and dye for kākau (tattooing), kapa, and waʻa (canoes).

🌱Pua Kenikeni, Fagraea berteroana, is a large tree that produces sweet-smelling flowers. Thick glossy green leaves contrast with the yellowish to orange flowers. The tree was widely propagated as the flowers were perfect for lei making. Pua keni keni translates to “10 cent flower”, the cost of a single flower.

05/26/2026

This pointer points us in the right direction! Manu is a 4-year-old detection dog who has spent the last 2 years working with his handler and BIISC to sniff out Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) larvae. His handler, Dr. Michelle Reynolds, started training him as a puppy, turning target detection into a game. Turns out, he’s a natural!

To beat the heat, he starts his shifts early and often sits through long car rides. Luckily for us, Manu is very patient. He also works in some complex environments: yards, farms, resorts, transfer stations, and parks, all while navigating feral cats, chickens, goats, and lots of people. The CRB odor isn't always easy to find; sometimes it's buried deep below the soil line – so where Manu alerts, the team digs.

When Manu isn’t working, he enjoys playing with his tug toys and enjoying chicken gizzards, his favorite treat. A well-deserved break for this hardworking boy 🐾 Mahalo Manu and Michelle for all that you do, keep up the good work!!

05/23/2026

Once planted as an ornamental, miconia has become one of Hawaiʻi’s most notorious invasive plants. Its giant leaves create dense shade that can smother native forest plants. Mature trees produce huge numbers of tiny seeds that can remain viable in the soil for at least 19 years!

On Hawaiʻi Island, BIISC has worked with partner agencies to control miconia in areas such as Wao Kele O Puna and the Keaukaha Military Reserve-Lowland Wet Forest. BIISC is actively monitoring and controlling miconia along the Hamakua boundary to prevent incursion into Kohala, which does not yet have detections of miconia. Seeds can hitchhike in mud on boots, gear, and tires, so cleaning up before leaving infested areas matters.

See a plant that looks like miconia outside of the infested area? Please send us a photo and note the location. Learn more about miconia: https://www.biisc.org/plant/miconia-3

05/21/2026

Have you checked on your māma...ki lately? Let’s take a look at an invasive pest that could be eating it: the Ramie moth. First detected on Maui in November 2018, it was later found on Hawaiʻi Island in 2020 and has since slowly spread to the rest of the islands, except Molokaʻi and Kahoʻolawe.

This moth can be tricky to identify because their caterpillars have multiple color morphs and may resemble the native Kamehameha butterfly caterpillar. Ramie moth caterpillars chew holes through the middle of the leaf and create larger gaps as they grow, eventually leaving only the main veins behind.

Always inspect your plant before moving them. If you see a Ramie moth or a suspect caterpillar, please take a photo if possible or note a detailed description and report it to 643pest.org or call 643-PEST.

Learn more at https://www.biisc.org/pest/ramie-moth/

05/20/2026

Field season in Hakalau 🌿 BIISC is proud to be a part of the team that is helping to protect Hakalau. Each summer, our field crews camp on the refuge and work to control invasive plants that threaten the native forest canopy and critical habitat for native birds.

Check out this article to learn more about Hakalau: https://bit.ly/4eQgTdF

05/19/2026

A hui hou Kawika!! Kawika started working at BIISC shortly after receiving his Bachelor’s degree in Geography – Environmental Studies from the University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo. He’s been a crucial part of our CRB work since his start in July of 2025. While on our team, Kawika has conducted 65 K-9 surveys with Michelle and Manu, captured 418 CRB larvae and 288 CRB beetles, assisted in mapping damaged palms and potential breeding sites, and even created a K-9 Signed Operating Procedure document without being asked to do so! Kawika's winning smile and positive attitude have been such an asset to BIISC. We wish him the best of luck as he moves to Alabama to be closer to his ʻohana. Mahalo for your hard work and dedication to our team Kawika, you will be greatly missed!!

Address

23 E Kawili Street
Hilo, HI
96720

Telephone

+18089333340

Website

http://www.biisc.org/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Organization

Send a message to Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC):

Shortcuts

Featured

Kona Conservation
81-948 Waena ʻOihana Loop #101, Kealakekua

Want your organization to be the top-listed Non Profit Organization in Hilo?