The state of Hawaii has a substantial and ever-growing responsibility to protect our islands from invasive species. This session, the Legislature will again be asked to establish a Rapid Response Fund (House Bill 1770 and Senate Bill 2161); money set aside to take swift action if a new invasive pest, such as the Red Imported Fire Ant, is detected in Hawaii.

This fund is basic common sense, which is why the Hawaii Invasive Species Council, the island Invasive Species Committees, a long list of environmental, farming, and business NGOs, and each of our County Councils and mayors, have asked our Legislature to establish this fund year after year.

What is rapid response? It is a systematic effort to eradicate a new high-risk invasive species while the infestation is still localized. It’s our second line of defense. Agencies respond once an organism has been detected on-island and the likely impact of the pest and the feasibility of various response options have been assessed. The goal is to get on it quickly enough that the new pest can be eradicated — removed from the islands forever.

To be effective, Rapid Response needs to happen fast — much faster than the state budget cycle.

When we miss the narrow window of opportunity to respond, the invasive species spreads to forests, farms, and nurseries, to new islands, and becomes impossible to eradicate. Instead of investing a modest amount in a Rapid Response Fund, our state agencies, farm businesses, and private citizens are stuck with the cost of managing another harmful pest or disease … forever.

As the manager of a multi-agency working group on invasive species, I get asked, “Why didn’t the state DO SOMETHING about [coqui frogs, little fire ants, miconia, semi-slugs … ] when they first arrived?” Sometimes, there is little we can do. Often, however, there is just no immediately available funding, and if it ever arrives, it is too little too late.

The Queensland Longhorn Beetle is an unfortunate example. QLB is a close relative of the Asian Longhorn Beetle, which is devastating forests on the continental US. A single adult QLB was detected on Hawaii island in 2009, and later found killing a breadfruit tree, a tree of cultural and economic importance. That was the opportunity to act.

However, due to lack of funding there was little follow-up. The research into how to control the pest didn’t get started. The risk to native forests has never been assessed. We didn’t find out it also kills citrus, kukui and cacao until 2018, after the beetle had already spread across much of Puna. No economic impact assessment has been conducted, making it difficult to attract federal research funds. There are no systematic surveys on Hawaii or the other islands and no quarantine is in place. All of these are components of an effective response plan and they all require funding. Without them, management of this pest is entirely on YOU.

In contrast, when axis deer were illegally introduced to Hawaii island in 2009, funding was made available — fast. Free, court-ordered helicopter time got us off to a great start. We were able to hire professional hunters and buy high-tech imaging gear. We were told it was impossible, but a significant investment in Rapid Response made it a success. All told, the state spent less than 50 cents per acre to protect the entire island from a new threat predicted to cost farmers millions each year.

Please don’t let another year, and another costly pest, slip by. Urge your legislators today to make HB 1770/SB 2161, the Invasive Species Rapid Response Fund, a priority this session.

Springer Kaye is manager of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee.