LIHU‘E — After decades of not catching a live mongoose on Kaua‘i and numerous reports of sightings, the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee trapped not one, but two live specimens in May and June of 2012. The feat, along with the
LIHU‘E — After decades of not catching a live mongoose on Kaua‘i and numerous reports of sightings, the Kaua‘i Invasive Species Committee trapped not one, but two live specimens in May and June of 2012.
The feat, along with the elimination of the coqui frog threat in Lawa‘i and other parts of the island, led to the KISC “Greatest Hit of 2012” acknowledgment during the first National Invasive Species Awareness Week announcement made by Gov. Neil Abercrombie for the week of March 4 through 10.
Craig Kaneshige, the state Department of Agriculture noxious weed specialist, was named the Most Valuable Person during the state announcement.
“We congratulate Craig for his fine professionalism and skill which earned him this honor,” Carvalho said in announcing March as Kaua‘i Invasive Species Leadership Month. “Craig’s work in early detection of plants, insects and pathogens, although hard to measure, helps ease the impacts of invasive species on agriculture and the biodiversity of Kaua‘i’s natural environment, perhaps even saving industries like honey production and the services which honeybees provide, and endemic species which are already dealing with a host of pressures which threaten their survival.”
Carvalho commended Keren Gunderson, the KISC project manager, and her crew for their commitment to eradicate pests like the mongoose and the coqui frog.
“For several decades, Kaua‘i had not captured a live mongoose, but in May and June of 2012, two live specimen were captured, providing conclusive evidence of their presence on Kaua‘i and stressing the need for protection of Kaua‘i’s endangered seabird populations,” Carvalho said.
Carvalho said it is through funding secured by the county’s Office of Economic Development and the Kaua‘i County Council that the county is able to support the efforts of the KISC and the State Department of Agriculture for their work, which is of value and significance to the health, safety and welfare of the island community.
Nationally, the costs to prevent, monitor and control invasive species, combined with the costs to crop damage, fisheries, forests and other resources cost the United States $137 billion, annually.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
