Hawaii residents are urged to use the Pest Hotline to promptly report sightings of invasive pests such as snakes, unusually aggressive stinging ants, and illegal or unknown animals. Call 643-PEST (643-7378).
Hawaii Invasive Species Council Strategy 2008-2013
Hawaii is in the midst of an invasive species crisis affecting the islands' endangered plants and animals, overall environmental and human health, and the viability of its tourism and agriculture based economy.
Invasive pests already cost the State of Hawaii millions of dollars of crop losses, the extinction of native species, the destruction of native forests, and the spread of disease. But many more harmful pests threaten to invade Hawaii, causing further damages. Even one new pest - like the brown tree snake or the red imported fire ant - could change the character of our islands.
The HISC strategy (pdf) was updated and approved by the Council on July 9, 2008 and provides the framework for a statewide invasive species prevention, control, research and public outreach program. The strategy better reflects the HISC's legal mandates and takes into account reviews carried out by each of the working groups. This replaces the previous interim strategic plan (pdf).
