Oahu Invasive Species Committee

10/02/2026

October is Stop the Ant Month! 🐜

Help protect Hawaiʻi by collecting and submitting ants from your yard or plants. We’re not only looking for invasive little fire ants, but also watching for new invasive ant species, including red imported fire ants.

Get a FREE ant collection kit at stoptheant.org/request-ant-collection-kit/.

Follow along all month for ant-related events, information, and ways to get involved!

09/30/2026

As fun as they are to fan yourself with, miconia is an invasive plant that can form dense stands and shade out native vegetation. Its shallow roots can also damage our watersheds, making them more prone to flooding—which is why we’ve been working to remove miconia from Oʻahu’s watersheds since 2001!

Swipe to see how ginormous the leaves can get.

09/28/2026

When it comes to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death on Oʻahu, the less virulent of the two fungi, Ceratocystis huliohia, is the only strain that has been detected here.

If you’re interested in a snapshot of where ROD has been detected across Hawaiʻi, check out this map from CTAHR.

https://rod.ctahr.hawaii.edu/current-distribution-of-rapid-%ca%bbohi%ca%bba-death/

This map is a useful way to see the bigger picture because it combines lab-confirmed detections, documented ʻōhiʻa mortality, and other forest data into a single map. Each hexagon represents about 775 acres, giving a statewide view of where ROD has—and hasn’t—been documented.

If you see an ʻōhiʻa that has suddenly died and suspect it may be ROD, please take a photo, note the location, and report it at 643pest.org.

09/26/2026

Have you smelled Root B**r Plant before?

This is Polygala paniculata, also known as the Root B**r Plant.

This tiny, delicate-looking herb has a surprising scent. Its roots smell remarkably like root b**r! 🥤 That distinctive aroma comes from methyl salicylate, the same compound responsible for wintergreen’s sweet, minty smell.

But don’t let its size fool you—Root B**r Plant is an invasive w**d in Hawaiʻi.
It was first detected on Maui in 1974 and has since become naturalized across multiple Hawaiian islands. It thrives in disturbed areas and can produce large numbers of tiny seeds, allowing it to spread quickly and form dense patches.

Why does that matter? Dense growth can crowd out the small native plants that belong in our forests, including ʻalaʻalawainui (Peperomia spp.), pāʻūohiʻiaka, native ferns, mosses and liverworts, and young ʻŌhiʻa seedlings.

We regularly encounter Root B**r Plant while conducting devil w**d trail surveys in the Pupukea-Paumalu Forest Reserve on Oʻahu’s North Shore.

So while that root b**r smell might be a fun way to recognize this plant, it’s also a reminder that not every interesting plant belongs in our forests. Knowing what’s growing around us helps us recognize invasive species and protect the native plants that make Hawaiʻi special. 🌿

09/24/2026

Join our crew and help protect our community from invasive species! 🌿 We're seeking a dedicated individual for a full-time Field Crew Leader position. If you're passionate about conservation and making a tangible impact, apply on the RCUH.com website and look up posting ID #226569 by October 2nd. This position primarily involves fieldwork, hands-on efforts directly related to controlling OISC target species, as well as supporting supervision over paid staff. Please see the job posting on RCUH.com for more information and a full list of job duties.

09/21/2026

Palolo Valley residents are taking action against invasive coqui frogs, working alongside invasive species crews to help contain the population. Read more about the community’s efforts and the important role residents play in responding to invasive species.

During a community meeting Wednesday, residents teamed up with state invasive species crews to coordinate response efforts.

09/09/2026

Pālolo Valley residents are working alongside OISC and state agencies to contain an invasive coqui frog population, with volunteers capturing more than 6,000 frogs since March. The article highlights the impacts coqui can have on Hawaiʻi’s environment and communities, as well as the ongoing efforts to keep this population from spreading.

Read the full article from Aloha State Daily:

The Pālolo Coqui volunteer group is working alongside the Oʻahu Invasive Species Committee and state agencies to contain a coqui frog infestation in their…

09/03/2026

When we talk about protecting watersheds, drinking water is only part of the story. Healthy watersheds also help support Hawaiʻi’s agricultural lands.

Rain that falls in our forests infiltrates into the ground, recharges groundwater, and feeds streams and other water sources on which agriculture depends.

That means protecting our forests from invasive species isn’t just about protecting native ecosystems. It’s also about protecting the natural systems that help provide water for Hawaiʻi’s farms and support agricultural communities.

08/31/2026

In 2001, OISC began with three employees and a lot of volunteer help. Twenty-five years later, that small team has grown into decades of work protecting Oʻahu from invasive species.

Since OISC began, our staff has:
🌿 Surveyed more than 2.3 million acres for invasive species
🥾 Invested more than 218,000 staff field hours
🌊 Worked across 97 watersheds
📣 Delivered invasive species outreach more than 14 million times through events, print, online media, and more.

But these numbers represent more than acres and hours. They represent the people who have hiked into remote forests, checked traps, treated invasive plants, collected samples, responded to reports, taught students, worked with communities, and helped protect Oʻahu’s natural resources.

We look forward to making more progress in invasive species management in the years to come.

08/29/2026

Join our crew and help protect our community from invasive species! 🌿 We're seeking a dedicated individual for a full-time Field Supervisor position.

If you're passionate about conservation and making a tangible impact, apply on the RCUH.com website and look up posting ID #226517 by September 10th.

This position involves fieldwork and hands-on efforts directly related to controlling OISC target species, as well as direct supervision over paid staff. Please see the job posting on RCUH.com for more information and a full list of job duties.