Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC)

05/21/2026

MISC is hiring for a CRB Technician

This is primarily an outreach position, working to support awareness and engagement among the community and the landscape industry in efforts to prevent the establishment of CRB on Maui.

The incumbent will maintain a network of community-based detection traps and conduct outreach to stakeholder groups to increase CRB awareness with the goal of supporting prevention and early detection efforts. The ideal candidate has experience in invasive species control in natural resource settings or horticultural settings and understands the importance of niu in Hawai’i.

Requires a Hawaiʻi driver's license, Associate degree (or equivalent combination of education and experience), and background in the landscape industry or natural resources.

Apply at the link below:
https://hr.rcuh.com/psc/hcmprd_exapp/EMPLOYEE/HRMS/c/HRS_HRAM_FL.HRS_CG_SEARCH_FL.GBL?Page=HRS_APP_SCHJOB_FL&Action=U

05/20/2026

A very special delivery has landed at the store courtesy of the Montessori School of Maui Earth Day event!

It's become tradition that every Earth Day uses their outreach to educate on important environmental issues by drawing on grocery bags. We then take these pieces of art and use them in customer interactions. Our customers get to take home a small reminder from keiki in the community that we only have one planet and we're all responsible for doing our part.

We have a limited amount, but we hope that you are one of the lucky ones to take home a custom piece of Earth Day art 🌎

05/18/2026

Invasive species are as much a problem in the marine environment. Tune in to learn about the novel efforts to protect Hawaii's marine ecosystems. Register here: https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_zT-U9JHURa6oXIe9dvcPDQ?utm_source=chatgpt.com #/registration

05/12/2026

Join us for a webinar tomorrow at 8am HST exploring the impacts and management of several high priority invasive ant species.

MISC's Brooke Mahnken will share insights from Hawai‘i’s ongoing efforts to detect and manage little fire ants (Wasmannia auropunctata) on Maui. Christina Boser (U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service) will discuss the ecology, spread, and management of Argentine ants (Linepithema humile), drawing on her experience with eradication and control efforts in sensitive island ecosystems in California. Dr. Christopher Hayes (North Carolina State University) will highlight the emerging threat posed by Asian needle ants (Brachyponera chinensis), including their impacts on native ecosystems and human health.

Together, these presentations will provide an overview of the biology, impacts, and management strategies associated with invasive ants, along with practical lessons for early detection and response. Participants will gain a better understanding of how these species spread and what land managers can do to help reduce their impacts.

Register at the link below!
https://naisma.org/event/webinar-small-ants-big-impacts-managing-invasive-ant-species-in-north-america/

05/12/2026

May is Hawai'i Invasive Species Awareness Month!

Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month celebrates the power of collective action in protecting Hawaiʻi’s ecosystems, agricultural heritage, and communities from the threat of invasive species. This year marks the ninth year of HISAM, building on more than a decade of coordinated outreach and action across the state.

This year’s theme draws from the ʻōlelo noʻeau, ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia – no task is too big when done together. This traditional saying reminds us of the power of collaboration. Invasive species can feel overwhelming, but ʻAʻohe hana nui ke alu ʻia– when we work together, even the biggest challenges become possible to overcome.

Invasive species in our own backyards, like coconut rhinoceros beetle, little fire ant, and coqui, can feel overwhelming when faced alone. When communities, agencies, businesses, and partners come together across federal, state, county, and nonprofit lines, we strengthen Hawaiʻi’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to these threats.

Throughout May, HISAM will feature webinars, events, resources, and awards recognizing the people and partnerships helping to protect Hawaiʻi. Visit dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisam2026/ for a schedule of events.

04/16/2026

On April 1, 2026, a single adult coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was collected by the Maui Invasive Species Committee (MISC) from a detection trap at the Kahului Airport.

Coconut rhinoceros beetles are not known to be established on Maui. This detection marks the third time CRB have been found on the island; the last finds were both in 2023, with no detections after an intensive multiagency response.

The previous detections in 2023 were live larvae in the crown of a dead palm and a dead adult found in a bag of soil at the point of sale. Host material in both cases was destroyed by HDAB staff.

Adult CRBs damage palm fronds as they bore into a palm to feed; however, it can take months before palm damage appears. Because adult CRBs pose a direct threat to local food security, it is critical to detect CRBs as early as possible, should it be present elsewhere on Maui. With early detection, residents can avoid an island-wide infestation and prevent long-term economic and agricultural damage.

The Maui CRB Working Group urges Maui residents to do the following:

1. Limit green waste movement, as an extra protective measure.

2. Check all compost piles and decaying coconut material for beetle larvae (recognizable by their size, up to 4 inches in length).

3. Collect any suspected larvae in a hard-sided container with host material.

4. Do not dispose of larvae until identification has been confirmed (another widespread pest, the Oriental flower beetle, has similar larvae).

5. Photograph/video and report any feeding damage (appearing as V-shaped cuts on palm fronds) as soon as detected to https://643pest.org/

Feeding damage, visible as V-shaped cuts on palm fronds, can be photographed and reported to https://643pest.org/

04/07/2026

There's still time to enter our CRB music video contest! Submissions are due April 17th. Visit the link below for details.

https://mauiinvasive.org/2026/02/27/crb-music-video-contest/

04/02/2026

ATTN: Teachers!

There's still time to highlight your students' creativity while raising awareness about the coconut rhinoceros beetle!

Deadline for contest entries is April 17th!

03/31/2026

Join us tomorrow, April 1, from 4:30-5:00 pm for a virtual coqui frog Q&A.

Hear the latest updates on where we're working, available resources, and how you can best support coqui control in your area.

Pre-registration is required. Register at the link below.

https://hawaii.zoom.us/meeting/register/4oBGNrCpSu-O62fnX0E4fA #/registration

03/30/2026

Join us and Malama Hamakua Maui for a coqui community work day, held every last Tuesday of the month at the Hamakualoa Open Space Preserve.

Mālama Hāmākua Maui announced the launch of its 2026 Coqui Control Workday Series in partnership with the Maui Invasive Species Committee, beginning Tuesday, March, 31.