HISAM Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death: Whatʻs at Risk and What We Can Do to Save It
Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month May 2025
In 2025, HISAM, May was Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month. The theme was “Whatʻs At Risk- from mauka to makai”. Dr. J.B. Friday gives a webinar about the latest findings about ROD.
To watch the other webinars from HISAM , check out the playlist on youtube
Merrie Monarch 2025 Interview with J.B. Friday
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Continues to Move Mauka
Dr. J.B. Friday discusses the current state of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa death (ROD) on Hawaiʻi Island and best practices for biosanition when visiting the forest. This is “Year of the Community Forest” and J.B. encourages people to use native plants, to get out in the forests, and be mindful about not spreading ROD.
Naiʻa Odachi Thesis Defense
High-resolution satellite imagery: As an alternative method for the detection and monitoring of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death in Hawaiʻi
Congrats and Mahalo to Naiʻa for all your important work!
Army stays vigilant for Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death at Pōhakuloa Training Area
Pam Sullivan details what is currently being done at Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi island to help monitor and protect the forests at PTA from the disease, rapid ōhiʻa death.
Study Released Examining Potential Distribution of a ROD-Causing Fungus & Impact on Native Plants
A study just released in the journal Forest Ecology & Management states that the more aggressive fungal species causing Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death, Ceratocystis lukuohia, overlaps with the majority of ʻōhiʻa distribution. Still, the pathogen does not reach the extreme edges of ōhiʻa’s range. According to the study, more than half of endangered species located on Hawaiʻi Island overlap with the current and expected range of Ceratocystis lukuohia. Disease models suggest that protecting areas by use of fencing would decrease disease spread by limiting the amount of feral ungulate damage to ʻōhiʻa trees. The team of researchers created a web portal where the public can examine results and view updated models and analyses.
Saving ʻŌhiʻa, Hawaiʻi’s Sacred Tree: A Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Documentary Wins 3 Emmy Awards!
The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Working Group is proud to share that the production team Club Sullivan, won three Emmy Awards for the documentary Saving ʻŌhiʻa, Hawaiʻi’s Sacred Tree in June 2019!
Protect ʻŌhiʻa This Merrie Monarch Season!
As we enter this 2019 Merrie Monarch season, celebrating Hawaiian culture through dance, stories, and songs, help us take care of our beloved ʻōhiʻa trees and forests throughout Hawaiʻi.
1. If you plan to visit the forests on Hawaiʻi Island, be sure to clean your shoes and gear before and after entering forests.
2. Need materials to decontaminate? Email us at ohialove@hawaii.edu or call 808-969-8268 to request your FREE Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death decontamination kit.
3. Be sure to get a permit if you plan to collect foliage on federal or state lands.
4. Tread lightly in the forest! Avoid stepping on ʻōhiʻa roots or injuring ʻōhiʻa in other ways. Any break in the bark can allow ROD-causing fungus to enter and infect the tree.
5. Keep all ʻōhiʻa on Hawaiʻi Island. If you wish to hoʻihoʻi (return) your lei materials to the forest, you may safely do so in forests located onSaddle Road (between the 12 and 16 mile markers) or along Stainback Highway (3 miles from Highway 11 along Stainback Hwy to N. Kūlani Intersection) within 20 feet in from the forest edge. Please remember to remove any non-biodegradable materials from lei.
If you cannot hoʻihoʻi on your own, we invite you to leave your materials in provided baskets at any of the following locations between April 24th and April 29th:
Division of Forestry & Wildlife Office, 19 E. Kawili St., Hilo, HI 96720
Hilo & Kona Airports, Plant Quarantine Kiosks
Hawaii Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Offices
~Our ROD Outreach Team will returrn all materials respectfully to the forests of Hawaiʻi Island.