Ahahui supports biocontrol of strawberry quava in Hawaii

April 20, 2009

To: County of Hawaii – State of Hawaii

FROM: Chuck K. Burrows, Ed.D., President of Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi

RE: Resolution No. 80 09 – Requesting a ban on the release of biological control agents on the island of Hawaii

Aloha Council members, ‘Ahahui Mälama I Ka Lökahi, Hawaiians for the Conservation of Native Ecosystems, opposes Resolution No. 80 09 requesting a ban on the release of biocontrol agents on the island of Hawaii, including insects, fungi, bacteria, virus, or other pathogens, for any tree species related to the ‘Ohi’a (Metrosideros polymorpha), including all species of the family Myrtacaea, such as the strawberry guava(Spidum cattleianum).

These are our reasons:

1. The ban on biocontrol agents is too general in its scope and will be detrimental to the survival of all Hawaiian endemic plants such as ‘Ohia Lehua (Metrosiderous polymorpha) from the spreading alien invasive strawberry guava (Spidum cattleianum).

2. The resolution’s Whereas, these biological control agents “may adapt and evolve to begin attacking related species, including the ‘ohi’a lehua” is a false assumption not based on scientific research and data.

3. Infact, a valid statement can be made that if there is no biocontrol to slow the vigorous growth of the strawberry guava, the native endemic ‘Ohia Lehua and Koa forest ecosystem will be decimated in years to come.

4. Over 15 years of extensive and controlled scientific research in Hawaii and in Brazil have been carefully conducted to determine that the recommended biocontrol (Tetococcus ovatus) for strawberry guava CAN NOT SURVIVE and DOES NOT FEED ON ‘OHIA AT ALL!

5. Tetococcus oavatus which is a natural parasite that has evolved with strawberry guava in its native Brazil has not been found on other Brazilian myrtaceous plants to indicate a host shift from strawberry guava to another related host plant over its long evolutionary time scale.

6. The biocontrol T. ovatus has been tested in Hawaii on a broad range of related myrtaceous plants and other agricultural food crops, and all evidence has shown that this biocontrol insect is extremely host specific.

7. Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi firmly believe that if our native endemic forests and wildlife would no longer exist due to the ravages of alien invasives such as strawberry guava, so would the identity of the Hawaiian indigenous people and its culture which evolved from the natural landscape.

We kanaka moali strongly urge you to vote NO on this resolution.

Mahalo for your deliberation and consideration, 
 


Charles K. Burrows, Ed.D. President

Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi P.O. Box 751 Honolulu, Hawaii 96808

2008 THE NATURAL and CULTURAL HISTORY TOURS of the KAILUA AHUPUA`A and KAWAINUI MARSH

THE  NATURAL  and  CULTURAL  HISTORY  TOURS of  the KAILUA  AHUPUA`A  and  KAWAINUI  MARSH

Sponsored by ‘Ahahui Malama I ka Lokahi,  Kailua Hawaiian Civic Club and Kawai Nui Heritage Foundation

The educational tours of the Kailua Ahupua‘a and Kawainui Marsh are offered to inform residents and visitors about the Hawaiian archaeological, historic and ecological resources of the marsh.

The tour groups meet at Ulupo Heiau next to the Windward Kailua YMCA at 8:30 am and walk, as well as car pool, to the various sites. Return trip is usually back to the Windward YMCA by 1:00 pm. A donation of $5.00 for non-members and $3.00 for members will be accepted for the tour. Donations are used to support the cultural and ecological restoration work of Kawainui Marsh. Group size will be limited to 25 persons.

2008 KAWAINUI TOURS

1. Sat. Feb. 2 -  Ramsar World Wetlands Day – Kawainui/Hamakua Marsh
2. Sat. Mar. 1 -  Native Plant Revegetation Projects in Kawainui Marsh
3. Sat. May  3 -  Archaeological sites and historic sites of Maunawili Valley
.   4. Sat. June 7 -  Kailua Bay – Geological and Marine Resources
5. Sat. June 21 – Ulupo Heiau Hoike
6. Sat. t.b.d.          Aquatic Animals & Insects of Kawainui streams & Marsh
7. Sat. Aug. 10 or 24 – KHCC Poi and Papale
8. Sat. Sept. 6 – Cultural and Natural History Tour of Kawainui Marsh
9. Sat. Oct.  4  – Geology of the Kailua Ahupua‘a
10. Sat. Nov. 1 -  Archaeological  & Historic Sites of Kawainui/Hamakua
11. Sat. Dec. 6 -  Birds of the Marsh (Kawainui, Hamakua & Kaelepulu)

(Dates or tours may be subject to change depending on weather or other circumstances.  Check for updates at: http://www.ahahui.wordpress.com/)

WHAT TO BRING:  Backpack or Fanny-pack, walking shoes, water bottle, mosquito repellent, sunscreen, rainwear, hat or cap, sunglasses. Optional: camera and binoculars.

CONTACT INFO: Call 593-0112 for more information and to register for these educational tours, or email: email@ahahui.net or hemanumalia@hotmail.com

(There are also service-learning trips for elementary through college age students to our project sites around Kawainui Marsh. Contact us for more information.)
(Revised 3/25/08)

Kamehameha Schools Biology classes study Kawai Nui Marsh

Kamehameha Schools Biology classes visited Ahahui’s project sites today May 7th (and tomorrow) as part of their annual field study of the Kailua Ahupua’a. Kamehameha Schools has been conducting these field studies for over 15 years. Chuck Burrows, the President of Ahahui Malama i ka Lokahi formerly taught science at Kamehameha Schools for 35 years. Now “retired,” he continues to assist the current teachers in the education of their students in the field.

Ahahui had 100 students, their teachers and resource specialists rotating to three study sites at Ulupo Heiau, Na Pohaku o Hauwahine and Kaha Park by the Oneawa channel. Another 100 will come on the 8th. Many of the students had never been to the places they visited and used as research sites. They caught fish and insects, took water samples and identified plants.

As Ahahui grows, it hopes to host more of these types of educational activities around Kawai Nui Marsh, especially by the local schools.