Conservation

The state Board of Land and Natural Resources has voted to let officials gather public input on a proposed set of rules that would allow commercial aquarium fishing in West Hawaiʻi.

Malacologists Ken Hayes and Norine Yeung spoke to The Conversation’s Catherine Cruz about native snails and conservation.

Hawaiʻi Island was ground zero for invasive species like the little fire ant and coquí frog. Now, officials and community members are trying to make sure another pest doesn't gain a permanent foothold on the island. HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote has more.

The sounds of invasive coquí frogs have been heard in Waimānalo since at least 2021. On a recent Thursday night, HPR's Savannah Harriman-Pote went out with a state-led team of volunteers trying to restore the soundscape of the Windward Oʻahu forest.

A new video, “Protecting Hawaiʻi’s Native Forests,” shows how ʻōhiʻa trees can thrive when animals are kept out of native forests. The UH film shows land across Hawaiʻi island that’s been fenced off for native plant conservation and illustrates the stark difference in ʻōhiʻa tree health between the land inhabited by animals and the land that has been blocked off.

HISC, one of the state’s leading agencies in pest management, uses a portion of the money it receives to fund pest-related government projects.

André Raine, science director for the Archipelago Research and Conservation, spoke to HPR's Maddie Bender about a mass killing of native birds by a colony of feral cats on Kauaʻi.

The invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle is so widespread on Oʻahu that efforts are focused on containment and management rather than eradication, but the neighbor islands are still fighting to prevent or limit its damage to their communities. HPR’s Mark Ladao has an update on the efforts to contain it.

Bishop Museum's newest exhibit, “Explore ExCORE: The Art of Underwater Science,” features deep-sea underwater footage that highlights the coral reefs and biodiversity in the Indo-Pacific region.

Adult female sea turtles return to Hawaiʻi's shores each summer to lay their eggs. As nesting season is well underway, the DNLR and Mālama i nā honu explain how the public can help keep hatchlings safe through the season and coexist with the species. HPR's Hannah Kaʻiulani Coburn has more.