Coqui frogs are invasive species and not an asset
In the Dec. 10 issue of West Hawaii Today, Jim West states coqui frogs are a valuable asset and should be left alone.
The coqui frog is an invasive species pest with an irritating and extremely loud mating call that continues throughout the night. I think any debate about the coqui frog should really be about the quality of life issue.
Should residents have to listen to the sound of irritating music, a car horn or a dog barking for eight to 12 hours a day at night? No. Then why would anyone defend an invasive animal that emits an equally loud and annoying sound?
I guess if you have no other options but to listen to the croak of these frogs all night long, you learn to accept the noise, somewhat like the Stockholm Syndrome where prisoners start identifying with their captors and become their advocates. Just because you think the frogs are romantic or cute, they are still an invasive species and will eventually have a detrimental ecological effect.
I think it is time for our state Department of Land and Natural Resources to make it a public policy to enforce its “Invasive Species Act” before the whole island is overrun with the coqui frog and homeowners are unable to sell their homes because of the noise.
I am hoping our county government will do something to control and eliminate the spread of the coqui frog on our island before it’s too late, like the coffee berry borer.
Michael Flaherty
Kailua Kona