UH leads state’s fight against invasive species, nearly 100 projects topping $33M

Contact:

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/0stCpZTSOQ

***SUGGESTED VOSOT SCRIPT BELOW***

Hawaiʻi's isolated and unique island ecosystem makes the state especially vulnerable to invasive species, which can cause major damage to the environment, agriculture and public health. That is why federal, state and private funders are turning to the University of Hawaiʻi for solutions.

UH researchers are currently leading 98 grant-funded projects totaling more than $33.5 million to combat invasive species. The work targets some of the state's most urgent challenges, including rapid ʻōhiʻa death, invasive mosquitoes that spread avian malaria, destructive food crop plant pests, invasive ants and beetles, and non-native plants and animals that damage forests and watersheds. Together, the projects aim to protect drinking water sources, food production, cultural resources and native ecosystems and species found nowhere else in the world.

The funding includes 44 federal awards totaling $21,050,427 and 54 non-federal awards totaling $12,494,933. Projects are led by researchers at UH Mānoa and UH Hilo and involve partnerships with national and state agencies.

"These awards reflect the trust that agencies have in UH to protect Hawaiʻi's people, environment and economy," said UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation Chad Walton. "You can see the damage coconut rhinoceros beetles leave behind, or how native birds are being wiped out by multiple invasive threats. Our UH teams are conducting research to develop practical solutions that protect both our environment and our communities."

Protecting birds, forests, farms, communities

Several large projects focus on protecting native forest birds by reducing populations of invasive mosquitoes that carry avian malaria. Others use satellite imagery and remote sensing (technology that gathers data from aircraft or space) to track forest health and detect invasive plants early, when they are easier and less expensive to control.

Researchers are also developing new molecular diagnostic tools-lab methods that use DNA to identify species-to quickly detect fruit flies, moths and plant pathogens that threaten local farms. Additional projects support fencing and removal efforts to keep invasive animals out of sensitive ecosystems, as well as testing new pest control tools that reduce reliance on traditional insecticides.

Some of the active invasive species projects:

• $5,343,414-Suppression of non-native mosquito populations in key forest bird habitats of East Maui (UH Mānoa)
• $2,562,586-Protect unique park ecosystems through exclusionary fencing (UH Mānoa)
• $2,250,000-Analysis of satellite imagery and meteorological data for forest health (UH Hilo)
• $1,393,541-Protecting endangered native birds on Kauaʻi from avian malaria (UH Mānoa)
• $1,361,016-Preventing coconut rhinoceros beetles from spreading in the Hawaiian Islands
• $789,777-Understanding how Phytophthora palmivora attacks plants to protect crops and ecosystems (UH Mānoa)
• $651,084-Using mosquito biology to suppress avian malaria and protect endangered honeycreepers on Kauaʻi (UH Mānoa)
• $600,580-Refine control and treatment methods for ecosystem-altering invasive plants at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park (UH Mānoa)
• $200,000-Outreach, surveillance and treatment of little fire ant infestations (UH Mānoa)
• $34,500-Initial studies to control coffee berry borer (UH Mānoa)

Link to video and sound (details below): https://spaces.hightail.com/receive/0stCpZTSOQ

VIDEO:

BROLL: (1:44)

0:00-0:46: Visuals of a UH research study on avian malaria in bird populations in Hawaiʻi

0:47-1:44: Visuals on the analysis of satellite imagery and meteorological data for forest health on Hawaiʻi Island

SOUNDBITES:

Chad Walton, UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation

(0:16)

"I think that number of 33 million and 100 projects shows we're getting to critical mass, and we're hoping that that will finally tip the scales and allow us to start to control these invasive species. I think working with our state partners also helps us because that early identification means we can have more rapid impact."

(0:19)

"I think it shows that again we are the trusted partners. That growing number is probably going to grow even higher, and it shows that we are the central place for the research, the students, the workforce that can actually go out into the nonprofits and the government agencies to support the invasive species work post their research and academic training at UH."

VOSOT SCRIPT:

INTRO:

The University of Hawaiʻi is leading the fight against invasive species across the state.

VO:

Right now, UH researchers are running nearly 100 projects… totaling more than 33 million dollars.

The work targets major threats like rapid ʻōhiʻa death, invasive mosquitoes, and crop-damaging pests.

Some projects focus on saving native forest birds by reducing mosquitoes that spread avian malaria.

Others use satellite technology to track forest health… and catch invasive plants early.

UH says the goal is to protect Hawaiʻi's water, food supply, and unique ecosystems.

SOT:

Chad Walton, UH Interim Vice President for Research and Innovation

(0:16)

"I think that number of 33 million and 100 projects shows we're getting to critical mass, and we're hoping that that will finally tip the scales and allow us to start to control these invasive species. I think working with our state partners also helps us because that early identification means we can have more rapid impact."

VO:

Researchers say these efforts are critical to protect both the environment and local communities.