Reported pods of coqui frogs fail to pan out after big event

Question: Whatever happened to a program on Oahu that sought to increase public awareness of coqui frogs by asking residents to step out at night, listen and report any sounds of the croaking critters?

Answer: The “Go Out and Listen Night!” surveillance event last July was a success, with 133 people on Oahu participating and 12 reporting they thought they heard coqui frogs.

Unfortunately — or maybe fortunately — none of the 12 reports turned out to be the result of coquis.

Oahu Invasive Species Committee spokeswoman Lara Reynolds said the noises came from greenhouse frogs, which have a less noisy chirp and have established themselves on Oahu.

The number of reports of coqui frogs on Oahu to state pest control officials has declined in recent months.

State Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi said there have been four reports of coquis on Oahu since January, compared with previous months when inspectors would go out to respond to four reports of coqui frogs a week.

Cargo workers caught two at the interisland port in Ho­nolulu, and one was reported at a nursery and another at a home on Oahu, she said.

Saneishi said it is hoped that the decline in calls indicates fewer coquis are arriving at the ports in Honolulu.

Agricultural inspectors check cargo from Hilo for coqui frogs, and cargo companies are also on alert for the coqui chirp, Saneishi said.

According to experts, the coqui frog was accidentally introduced into Hawaii from Puerto Rico in 1988.

The mating call of coquis has become a noise nuisance, capable of reaching 90 decibels and potentially affecting tourism in some areas.

Major infestations of coqui frogs have occurred on the Big Isle, especially in East Hawaii.

A 2007 study estimated coqui frogs have reduced the value of Hawaii island properties by $22.5 million, said Kimberly Burnett of the University of Hawaii Economic Research Organization.

Burnett said the study was based on 1995-2005 real estate information.

“The indications are it’s gotten worse. … It was done when the coquis weren’t that bad,” she said.

Burnett said that for a time, some people weren’t convinced the infestation of coqui frogs would be a big problem.

Some groups have been able to eradicate coquis from their areas.

About a year ago, the Kauai Invasive Species Committee announced it had received no reports of coqui frogs in Lawai for more than a year.

Oahu has no known colonies of coqui frogs, the invasive species group for the island said.

While there is still a major colony at Maliko Gulch on the Valley Isle, at least 11 out of 18 Maui populations have been silenced, reports the Maui Invasive Species Committee.

A five-person crew works weekly monitoring areas, mostly in East Maui, to eliminate the frogs, but the group also worked with the Ritz-Carlton Kapalua in West Maui to get rid of coqui frogs reported by the hotel.

Saneishi said early intervention works: “We know if we find a population before it expands, we can eradicate it.”

Anyone who suspects they may have a coqui frog in the neighborhood may call 643-7378.

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This update was written by Gary T. Kubota. Suggest a topic for “Whatever Happened To…” by writing Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., Suite 7-210, Honolulu 96813; call 529-4747; or email cityeditors@staradvertiser.com.