Hawaiʻi is the world’s most-isolated, populated-place, we are about:
2,500-miles from the US mainland, Samoa & Alaska; 4,000-miles from Tokyo,
New Zealand & Guam, and 5,000-miles from Australia, the Philippines &
Korea.
We are surrounded by a vast ocean and sometimes naively feel isolated,
separated and protected from outside threats and negative impacts. Unfortunately, we take too much for granted.
Formation of Hawaiian Island chain started more than 70 million years
ago. Yet despite millions of years of
isolation, plants, animals and insects found their way to Hawaiʻi ... on Wind,
Wings and Waves.
Some seeds, spores and insects arrived on the wind. A few birds flew or were blown off course; in
them or stuck to their feathers were more seeds. Some seeds managed to float here on ocean
currents or waves. Ocean currents also
carried larval forms of fish, invertebrates, algae and even our freshwater
stream species.
It is estimated that one plant or animal arrived and successfully
colonized every 30,000 years. Over
millions of years in isolation, these original plant and animal species
changed, forming into our native species.
The first alien species arrived with Polynesians in the year 300 A.D.
or so. In 1778, Hawaiʻi was placed on the world map; and so started new
invasive species pathways.
It is estimated that in the last 230+ years, as many as 10,000 plants
have been introduced: 343 new marine/brackish water species; Hawaiʻi went from
0 native land reptiles to 40; 0 amphibians to 6 (including coqui) and there is
a new insect in Hawaiʻi every day.
The greatest threat to Hawaiʻi’s native species is invasive species.
Hawaiʻi has the dubious distinction of being called the endangered
species capital of the world and unfortunately leads the nation in endangered
species listings with 354 federally listed threatened or endangered listed
species.
With only 0.2% of the land area of the United States, nearly 75% of the
nation’s historically documented plant and bird extinctions are from
Hawaiʻi. We have more endangered species
per square mile on these islands than any other place on Earth.
Impacts from invasive species are real and diverse: Tourism and
agriculture-based economy; Forests’ ability to channel rainwater into our
watersheds; Survival of native species found nowhere else; Health of residents
and visitors; and Quality of life that makes Hawaiʻi a special place.
Today, the pathways to paradise are diverse, including: air & ship
cargo; ship hulls & ballast water; hand-carry/luggage; mail & freight
forwarders; forestry activities; horticulture trade; aquaculture; pet trade;
botanical gardens and agriculture experiment stations (or simply on you and
your clothing.)
While I was at DLNR, we formed and I co-chaired the Hawai‘i Invasive
Species Council, a multi-jurisdictional agency, established to provide policy
level direction, coordination, and planning among state departments, federal
agencies, and international and local initiatives.
Our focus was primarily on two actions: the control and eradication of
harmful invasive species infestations throughout the State; and prevention the
introduction of other invasive species that may be potentially harmful.
We must continue to be vigilant in stopping new pests from coming in
and eradicating those that have already made it to our shores.
We share a common goal. Whether
your concern is in having enough water, healthy reefs, diverse forests, a
healthy economy or a healthy family, we all want the same thing: To make and keep Hawaiʻi a great place to
live.
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