Protecting the ʻOhiʻa Population

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What is ROD?
ROD abbreviates Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. I wish they came up with a more positive affirmative title. The ancient Hawaiians believed that words have a powerful influence on ourselves and others, which is true. 

What is causing ʻŌhiʻa death?
  It is a disease caused by two fungal pathogens: Ceratocystis lukuohia (destroyer of ʻōhiʻa) and Ceratocystis huliohia (disruptor of ʻōhiʻa).  Ceratocystis lukuohia  has been found to be a more aggressive fungus than Ceratocystis huliohia. Once an individual tree has been infected, there is no current cure for it. The fungus begins its infection by entering through open wounds of the tree. These wounds may not always be visible 

It is not exactly sure where these fungus originated from, but they are not native to Hawaii and were introduced. Several types of beetles play a major role in spreading the disease. The ambrosia beetles and long-horned beetles, bore into infected trees and create a fine dust in the process. This dust is contaminated by fungal spores and can be spread to other trees by wind.



Infected ʻōhiʻa forest

Where is ROD?
Reports have confirmed ROD to be found on the Big Island and Kauaʻi. The Big island is being hit the hardest with both Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. Only Ceratocystis huliohia was found on Kauaʻi in May 2018 until recent reports from December 2018 detected Ceratocystis lukuohia (the more destructive fungus) on the island.




What can we do to help?

-Avoid injuring ʻōhiʻa. Avoid stepping on the ʻōhiʻa roots while walking or hiking. Avoid pruning or any contact with heavy equipment.

-Don't move ʻōhiʻa wood or any other parts of the tree.

-Don't transport ʻōhiʻa inter-islands.

-Clean tools, clothes, your shoes, before and after entering forest. Spray with 70% rubbing alcohol.

-Wash of mud and soil off tires and undercarriage of your vehicle. 

Comments

  1. RedtailMarch 30, 2019 at 10:53 PM

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  2. RedtailMarch 30, 2019 at 10:54 PM

    Hi, Payden
    I may have seen this flower after coming to Hawaii. Is there ohi'a in oahu island?
    This thing is serious problem, the people go to a big island and Kauai should take care of it. Particularly, tourists do know this fact, so transportation companies that tourists bring to there are supposed to alart this to avoid them touching or transporting ohi'a.

    Kenji

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Payden A.April 6, 2019 at 9:58 PM

      Hey Kenji, thank you for commenting :)

      There is Ohi'a lehua on Oahu. We actually have a few little trees at KCC by the Kokio and the Manele building. :) With how serious this issue is, I'd assume the forest containing the infections would be closed to the public. When I went to the Hakalau forest in Hilo as a volunteer, we had to spray our shoes with alcohol before and after entering the forest and use their gear to avoid any contamination. There was no harmful fungus found in this forest, but they were still strict about it. Unfortunately, some of the fungus was recently found in Hakalau. I believe there's still hope. There are researchers already working on this. All we can do right now is spread awareness and inform people on what they can do to help and be very careful.

      Delete

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