Kaʻū News Briefs May 12, 2024

 MAY IS HAWAI'I INVASIVE SPECIES AWARENESS MONTH. It is the seventh year of Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council hosting the program, in coordination with Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture, island invasive species committees, and state Department of Land & Natural Resources. 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 the islands against invasives. Festivities include in-person activities, webinars, volunteer trips, individual and business awards, keiki games, and more.

     A statement from the organizers says, "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 percent 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

Cecilia Kauwe cleans up guinea grass along the pine tree lane in Pāhala.

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.” The aim is to shed light on the personal actions everyone can take to help prevent and manage invasive species in Hawai'i's  communities. Simple efforts like not planting invasives in 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," says the statement.

 To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

NAUPAKA KUAHIWI IS THE KAʻŪ NATIVE PLANT OF THE MONTH in the Column Lāʻau Letters: Native Plants of Kaʻū by Jodie Rosam with illustration by Joan Yoshioka.  The scientific name for Naupaka kuahiwi, the mountai naupaka, is Scaevola gaudichaudii.

Naupaka Kuahiwi, the mountain naupaka and relative of naupaka kahakai  on the seashore. Art by Joan Yoshioka

    Description: Last month, you met naupaka kahakai.  This month, I want
to introduce you to another Scaevola species known as naupaka kuahiwi or “mountain naupaka,” a name it shares with five other species. Unlike the indigenous naupaka kahakai, this naupaka is endemic to Hawaiʻi and grows mauka rather than along the coast.  It stands upright (typically around 3-4 feet but can grow taller) and has thick green leaves around 2” long that are slightly serrated near the tips. But the most beautiful and defining characteristic of this Scaevola is the gorgeous deep orange or yellow half flowers with a fragrance that will be forever tied to your memory. In fact, only one other species of naupaka has yellow flowers, S. glabra, but S. glabra flowers are shaped more like a native lobelia rather than the typical naupaka half flowers that we all know and love. The flowers, once pollinated, give way to small, round, deep black fruits that hold a single seed within.
    Uses: With their beauty and sweet fragrance, flowers of naupaka kuahiwi can be used in lei making. The fruits can be used to make a dark dye. The nectar of the beautiful half flowers can also be a source of nutrition for endemic birds and insects. Surely there are other lāʻau lapaʻau uses of this species that I am unaware of, so if you know of any, please share!
    Habitat: This species of naupaka kuahiwi can be found in dry to mesic areas on all of the main Hawaiian islands aside fromd Kahoʻolawe, and grows in dry ridges and open shrublands and forests from about 250 to 2,600 feet in elevation. Unfortunately, their habitat is quickly being lost to development, and whatever plants remain are being threatened and/or impacted by feral ungulate pressures such as grazing and bark stripping (does this sound familiar yet?). In Kaʻū, plants have been recorded from Kahuku to Kapāpala, though today they are quite uncommon and only a few wild plants remain in an unmanaged area in Kahuku.
    Growing and Purchasing: While I have never seen S. gaudichaudii for sale, I believe some nurseries like Future Forests would be able to propagate this species upon request. If you happen to find a plant with ripe fruits, remove the seeds from the fruit, sow in a well-drained media, and be patient while they germinate. Your naupaka kuahiwi will be a hardy addition to the Kaʻū landscape, and requires little water once it establishes in the ground. Feel free to plant it in full sun and offer it a mild fertilizer every year to keep it happy. And when your naupaka kuahiwi fruits, try growing them from seed so you can share the love with a friend.  

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.

KAʻŪ IS UNDER A FLOOD ADVISORY SUNDAY EVENING. CIVIL DEFENSE reminds residents and travelers a Flood Advisory means minor flooding is imminent or occurring.

    Due to the Flood Advisory, be advised:
    Flooding can be life-threatening. Residents in flood prone areas are asked to remain alert for flooding conditions. 

   Please drive with caution. Be on the alert for run-off, ponding of water, debris, and poor visibility.
   Do not attempt to cross flowing water in a vehicle or on foot; turn around, don't drown.
   Remember, if lightning threatens, the safest place to be is indoors.
   For more information, visit County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map

HAWAI'I COUNTY CIVIL DEFENSE ASKS THOSE WITH STORM DAMAGE from the current rains and flooding to visit the Civil Defense webpage and submit a damage report by using the Public Damage Report form at https://survey123.arcgis.com/share/13ffdc337b544dc0a8665fcdf9e67957 or call 808-935-0031. The form is not for receiving assistance. It states, "The information you provide in this report will ensure that the County of Hawaii can send a damage assessor to assess the damage caused by a natural or man-made disaster. The data collected will allow County officials to determine if our jurisdiction qualifies for any state or federal assistance, as well as to assist with hazard mitigation planning.
    "This report is strictly for reporting damage or loss of personal property. It does not constitute an application for assistance and affected parties still need to file claims with their Insurance companies. Utility outages should still be report to your local utility provider. If this is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1."

    Civil Defense advises that "Rain continues in the forecast through the week. Exercise caution as flooding is possible." For more information, visit the County of Hawaii Hazard Impact Map.

To read comments, add your own, and like this story, see facebook.com/kaucalendar. See upcoming events, print edition and archive at kaunews.com. Support this news service with advertising at kaunews.com. 7,500 copies the mail and on stands.