Inaugural Hawaii Invasive Species Council on Maui

Axis deer, file photo courtesy The Nature Conservancy and DLNR.

By Wendy Osher

The Hawaii Invasive Species Council will be meeting for the first time in Maui today to discuss issues concerning axis deer, invasive species, weed risk assessment, and the council’s priorities for 2013.

Members of the council, along with legislators, county mayors and representatives from the federal government are expected to attend the meeting.

“It is important for us to discuss and assess the status of invasive species on Maui in order to protect and preserve our island and the rest of Hawaii’s ecosystem,” said Senator J. Kalani English, who is a member of the Invasive Species Committee and will be attending the meeting.

The Hawaii Invasive Species Council was established for the special purpose of providing policy level direction, coordination, and planning among state departments, federal agencies, and international and local initiatives for the control and eradication of harmful invasive species infestations throughout the state. They are also tasked with preventing the introduction of other potentially harmful invasive species.

Following the meeting, the council will go to the Maui Invasive Species Committee office to learn about technology being used in the fight of invasive species. They will also tour Kula farms to observe damage caused by the axis deer.

“I am looking forward to learning about new ways to combat alien species and seeing first-hand how our farms are being impacted by the axis deer and how we can help our farmers with the issue,” said Senator English, who represents Hāna, East and Upcountry Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Kaho‘olawe.

The meeting begins at 9:30 a.m. at the Pool Room of the Mayor Hannibal Tavares Community Center.

***Supporting information courtesy Hawai’i State Senate Communications.