little fire ant

The University of Hawaiʻi this week announced that a recent survey of the area turned up just one ant — only a year after dozens of houses in the Lanikai loop and beach areas were found to be harboring the invasive pest.

A new, 30-acre infestation of little fire ants in Hauʻula has prompted a renewed call for better invasive species management in Hawaiʻi. Last week, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources closed a part of the Hauʻula Forest Reserve on Oʻahu to eradicate the ants.

The Hawaiʻi Ant Lab reported 19 new LFA sites on Oʻahu this year and eight new sites each on Maui and Kauaʻi. The invasive ant is already considered widespread on Hawaiʻi Island. Six of the newly infected sites on Kauaʻi are plant nurseries.

On Tuesday, the board voted to approve a set of administrative rules that would, in part, designate quarantine areas infested with invasive pests. Now, the rules will go to the state’s Small Business Regulatory Review Board for comment, and then have to be approved by the governor.

Sen. Jarrett Keohokalole, who’s been vocal in his criticism that the department hasn’t moved quickly enough to manage invasive species in the state, last week called out the department again.

The little fire ant, or LFA, was first discovered in the state on Hawaiʻi Island in 1999. While efforts to eradicate colonies on most of the islands seem to be turning the tide, the fight on the Big Island rages on.

A “bad actor” accused of giving away plants infested with little fire ants has had its name cleared by the state Department of Agriculture — but that's done little to satisfy concerns that the department isn’t doing enough to stop invasive species. Meanwhile, the business is trying to recover from the hit to its reputation. HPR's Mark Ladao has more.

This week, state senators held a briefing to get an update on the nurseries that have been knowingly selling plant material infested with little fire ants, one of the most problematic invasive species in Hawaiʻi.

A new state Department of Agriculture rule aims to stop the spread of little fire ants on Oʻahu. The department this week announced it will impose quarantines on areas infested with the invasive ant species.

Kapua Kawelo works in resource management at Schofield Barracks. Her worries about little fire ants extend beyond her day job. She's also active in her community of Kahaluʻu, which has turned its focus to the threat of the little fire ant. Many new ant sites have been reported in Windward Oʻahu in the past year.