Coqui frogs captured on Oahu ADVERTISING Coqui frogs captured on Oahu HONOLULU — Two state Department of Agriculture crews captured three frogs Wednesday evening in separate areas on Oahu. One coqui frog was found on a boat at a Kahaluu
Coqui frogs captured on Oahu
Coqui frogs captured on Oahu
HONOLULU — Two state Department of Agriculture crews captured three frogs Wednesday evening in separate areas on Oahu.
One coqui frog was found on a boat at a Kahaluu residence and the others at nurseries in Kaimuki and Kunia. All three incidents were reported on Monday and Tuesday by neighbors of those properties who heard the frog’s distinct two-tone mating call, according to DOA.
It is suspected the coqui frogs at the nurseries hitchhiked from Hawaii Island on plant material. The Kahaluu capture involved possible movement aboard a boat that was shipped from Hawaii Island. There have been few calls to report coqui over the past few months, but the frogs become more active as the weather gets warmer, which may account for the number of reports this week, DOA stated.
To hear what a coqui frog sounds like, go to hear.org/alienspeciesinhawaii/species/frogs. Suspected invasive species should be reported to the state’s toll-free pest hotline at 643-PEST.
Upcountry Maui water meters to be issued
WAILUKU, Maui — Upcountry Maui property owners who have been waiting years could soon be getting water service.
The county’s Department of Water Supply announced Wednesday it has started issuing Upcountry water meters, the Maui News reported.
The department said a project to use the Hamakuapoko wells as a backup for Upcountry water use is near completion, allowing for additional water meters to be issued. Requests for meters will be considered in the order of applicants on a priority waiting list.
Lower Kula resident Alfred Medeiros Jr. said that will allow him to move forward with a 10-home subdivision project. The development project will also mean lots of jobs, he said. He’s No. 643 on the waiting list and hasn’t been able to get project financing without confirmation the subdivision would get water service.
“I feel really grateful and relieved that the mayor has decided to help the people Upcountry,” he said. “These people have been waiting 20 to 30 years.”
Mayor Alan Arakawa said the new meters will bring relief to families who have been on the list for a generation and will help them “move forward with their future.”
Water Supply Director Dave Taylor said the Upcountry water system will remain primarily dependent on surface water sources, with the Pookela and Hamakuapoko wells as backups during times of drought.
He asked that applicants remain patient and wait to be contacted, as calls asking about applications will delay the process. “We’ve reached an exciting milestone, and I hope we can make significant inroads to shrinking the list,” he said.
According to the department’s website, there are 1,887 water meter applicants.
Odor sends Oahu students to hospitals
HONOLULU — A windward Oahu elementary school was evacuated because of a chemical odor that sent 25 students and two adults to hospitals.
The state Department of Education says Kahaluu Elementary School ended the day about two hours early Thursday because of the odor reported near campus.
The Honolulu Fire Department is working with state and city officials to identify the source of the odor.
School officials called the fire department about the odor around 11 a.m.
The education department said 31 students and staff reported feeling symptoms of nausea. Twenty-five students and two adults were taken to Castle Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente.
Classes are scheduled to resume today.
Invasive little fire ants discovered in Waimanalo
HONOLULU — A state lawmaker accused Hawaii agriculture officials of delaying an announcement that an infestation of little fire ants was discovered in Waimanalo.
While leveling the criticism, state Sen. Clayton Hee said Wednesday on the floor of the Hawaii Senate that he was worried that nurseries near the area could become infested.
“The department of ag needs to explain to the public how it’s in the public interest to keep little fire ants in Waimanalo a secret,” Hee said. “They need to explain how it’s in the public interest to not quarantine every one of those nurseries that are in the immediate vicinity.”
Department of Agriculture Director Scott Enright countered that the infestation was discovered in state agricultural lots less than a week ago.
“We don’t go to the press every time we eradicate a small infestation of invasive species,” Enright told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser. “If it’s beneficial in any way, we let the public know.”
He said an inspection suggested the ants have been on the ground and in trees for two or three years. A multiagency team will wipe out the infestation, Enright said, a process that could take as long as a year.
The fire ants are among the most insidious invasive species in Hawaii. The tiny, hard-stinging ants were first detected in Hawaii 15 years ago in the Puna area.
It’s believed they move between islands on commercial plants, leading lawmakers to introduce bills this year that would stiffen penalties on nursery owners who spread the ants.
By local and wire sources
