GOVERNOR’S PROCLAMATION ENCOURAGES COLLECTIVE ACTION AGAINST THREATS FROM INVASIVE SPECIES

News Release from Office of the Governor, May 10, 2024;

(HONOLULU) – At today’s proclamation ceremony celebrating Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM), Governor Josh Green, M.D., helped bring focus to the risks that invasive species pose to the environmental and economic health of Hawaiʻi, the good work taking place to combat them, and the importance of a cooperative approach in the effort.

May 2024 marks the seventh year the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council has hosted HISAM in coordination with the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, island invasive species committees, and the DLNR. What started as a seven-day experience has grown into a month-long community event dedicated to educating and mobilizing Hawaiʻi residents and visitors to help protect our islands against invasives. Festivities include in-person activities, webinars, volunteer trips, individual and business awards, keiki games, and more.

Invasive species can have devastating and long-lasting impacts on communities and the natural environment if not managed properly. For an island state where 80-90% of our food and goods are imported and the threat of new pests entering the landscape is always present, biosecurity is a pressing issue. Within the past year, little fire ant infestations have increased on Oʻahu, coconut rhinoceros beetles have spread to Kauaʻi, and invasive grasses played a major role in devastating fires on Maui and Hawaiʻi Island. Strong coordination and collaboration among state departments, federal agencies, organizations, and communities is key to better invasive species management and a more biosecure state.

The theme of HISAM 2024 is “Who protects Hawaiʻi from invasive species? You do.” It sheds light on the personal actions everyone can take to help prevent and manage invasive species in our communities. Simple efforts like not planting invasives in your gardens, reporting new pests, and volunteering with local organizations goes a long way. A shared kuleana and collective mindset is what gives Hawaiʻi the best chance for lasting success.

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HAWAI‘I DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE SEEKS PROPOSALS FOR COMMUNITY-BASED PROGRAMS TO FIGHT COCONUT RHINOCEROS BEETLES AND FOR GREEN WASTE MANAGEMENT

News Release from HDOA, May 10, 2024

HONOLULU – The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has opened two requests for proposals (RFP) – one for community-based management of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) on O‘ahu and another to support green waste management on the Islands of Hawai‘i, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu.

An RFP totaling $200,000 is being made available for Hawai‘i-registered non-profit organizations on O‘ahu that have developed viable projects to control CRB in their neighborhoods. Up to eight community organizations will be awarded a maximum of $25,000 each. Higher award amounts will be considered for proposals that are of extraordinary merit, that have a wider benefit outside their communities. Priority will be given to community groups that have demonstrated concern about CRB during public meetings or activities within the past year.

Application information on the RFP (RFP-24-02-PI)has been posted on the State Procurement Office website at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/24331  Proposals must be submitted electronically to the HDOA at: jonathan.k.ho@hawaii.gov  by noon on June 7, 2024.

The other RFP (RFP-24-01-PI) is for proposed projects by community non-profit organizations to eliminate CRB in green waste, the primary breeding environments. A total of approximately $200,000 is available for projects to manage green waste in neighborhoods. A total of five awards, each with a maximum of $40,000, with one project each on Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, Moloka‘i and O‘ahu. 

Green waste includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, hedge and tree trimmings, fruits and vegetables, palm fronds, and other similar plant materials that can be composted. Proposals will be reviewed for clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and data collection methods to show the measurable outcomes were met.

Proposals for the green waste RFP must be submitted electronically to the HDOA at: jonathan.k.ho@hawaii.gov by noon on June 7, 2024. As with the other RFP, priority will be given to community groups that have demonstrated concern about CRB during public meetings or activities within the past year. Details and application information for this RFP are available at: https://hands.ehawaii.gov/hands/opportunities/opportunity-details/24330

Awardees will be required to provide state tax clearance and a Certificate of Vendor Compliance from the Hawai‘i Compliance Express, indicating compliance with state procurement laws.

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