Governor proclaims week to focus on harm of invasive species

The state is promoting this week as "Hawaii Invasive Species Awareness Week" to bring attention to a problem that costs residents and businesses millions of dollars each year.

Gov. Neil Abercrombie issued a proclamation Monday focusing March 4-10 on the effects of invasive species such as miconia, pampas grass, coqui frogs and others that cost millions of dollars to control.

"Invasive species impact our natural resources, food security, health, cultural heritage, economy and way of life, and we must build our capacity to address these challenges," Abercrombie said during a ceremony.

State officials note that more than half of Hawaii’s forests have been lost in the last 200 years, reducing future water supplies, and that doubling the number of acres of protected watershed areas in the next decade will require $11 million.

Hawaii island vacation rental owners say that noisy coqui frogs have adversely affected their businesses.

The varroa mite is threatening the health of honeybees and bee-pollinated crops, which generate more than $100 million annually in revenue.

In conjunction with National Invasive Species Awareness Week, the state administration is working with island environmental groups on a number of educational events.

Abercrombie also recognized people, agencies, organizations and businesses that have helped to protect Hawaii from invasive species, including the Kauai Invasive Species Committee.

The committee, working with volunteers and various groups, has helped to make the island free of coqui frogs, state officials said.

Others recognized by Abercrombie include Young Bros. Ltd., federal marine scientist Scott Godwin, state agricultural official Craig Kane­shige, Windward Aviation pilot Peter Vorhes, Lyon Arboretum’s Mashuri Waite and the Hawaii Cattlemen’s Council.