Invasive Species Awareness Month

February is Invasive Species Awareness Month here in Hawai’i, but the importance of value of the topic warrants discussion and learning all year long. Invasive species can take the form of plants or animals and could be big or small. Many of us are familiar with invasive species like cane toads and rats, but did you know that species like strawberry guava and ants fall into that category, too?

This is the perfect time to learn more about the difference between endemic, indigenous and introduced species and what makes something invasive. Something as simple as a beloved house plant can end up becoming a problem if left unchecked. Since the time that many of the recordings in our collection were created invasive species threats have grown. Now, we have Little Fire Ants and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, as well as invasive seaweeds and reef fish. Read more about Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Month, here, and challenge yourself to be more aware and learn about what you can do to protect Hawaiʻi’s unique natural environment.

In the spirit of boosting the message, we’ve assembled some clips and resources below that show or discuss introduced, invasive and native species and what work has been taking place to help protect Hawaiʻi’s native flora and fauna.

Non-Native and Introduced Species

Click on the images below to watch the clips.

Native Species

Click on the images below to view the clips.

Local informational websites for further exploration:

Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council – https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/

Each major island has its own Invasive Species Committees:

• https://www.biisc.org/
• https://www.kauaiisc.org/
• https://mauiinvasive.org
• https://www.molokaiisc.org/
• https://oahuisc.org

The Hawaiʻi Little Fire Ant Awareness Website – www.stoptheant.org

Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death – https://cms.ctahr.hawaii.edu/rod/

Coordinating Group on Alien Pest Species – https://www.cgaps.org/

Hawaii Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response – https://www.crbhawaii.org/