Animals

The two-lined spittlebug has been a growing problem for ranchers on Hawaiʻi Island over the last couple years — and experts warn it’s also a threat for the whole community. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

The council moved Bill 51 through its final hearing Wednesday in a 6-2 vote after fierce debate and passionate testimony by the public and council members.

Hawaiʻi County Council member Matt Kanealiʻi-Kleinfelder and Elaine Partlow from Action 4 Animals Hawaii sit down with HPR’s Maddie Bender to debate a bill that would prohibit feeding stray or feral animals on county property.

Eva Fischer, an assistant professor at the University of California, Davis, spoke with HPR’s Maddie Bender about a new paper on what makes coqui frogs tick — and why they’re so invasive on Hawaiʻi Island.

The Conversation’s Lillian Tsang spoke to Jared Underwood, superintendent for the Papahanaumokuākea Marine National Monument, about the Laysan finch relocation project on Midway Atoll that aims to safeguard the species.

The Hawaiʻi Ant Lab is hosting a free workshop this Thursday to help residents manage little fire ants on their properties. The invasive ant is widespread on Hawaiʻi Island and can also be found on Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi.

Hawaiʻi County lawmakers are moving a bill to ban the feeding of feral animals on county property. However, that is despite the swaths of testimony calling it inhumane and counterproductive to controlling feral populations.

Using grazing animals to help with fire prevention isn’t a new solution, but on Maui, goats are helping with the task. HPR’s Catherine Cluett Pactol reports that a recent partnership between Hawaiian Electric and Surfing Goat Dairy has highlighted the goats’ abilities — and appetite.

Bill 51 proposes fining those who are caught feeding stray and feral animals on County of Hawaiʻi land — $50 for first-time violators and up to $500 for repeat offenses.

The Conversation's Maddie Bender spoke to two scientists involved in the Lost Manu Research Initiative, which uses game cameras and 3D scanning to study native bird and plant interactions.