Introduce biocontrol insect or allow spread of strawberry guava in Hawaiʻi?

On November 8, 2011, a news article was posted on Maui Now stating that a final environmental assessment was released for the introduction of a small scale insect to control the spread of the invasive strawberry guava plant in Hawaiʻi’s native forests. I was surprised to read this because I was not even aware that there was a problem with the strawberry guava in Hawaiʻi, I wasn’t even aware that it was invasive plant. So, I read on to learn more about the issue, and it continued to say that strawberry guava is a non-native plant that is to blame for overtaking hundreds of thousands of acres in Hawaiʻi since its introduction in 1825. State wildlife biologist, Dr. Fern P. Duvall, said “I am certain it is one of the very worst of habitat altering, invasive weeds to ever get a foothold in Hawai‘i.”

The first question I could think of was, is the spread of these invasive strawberry guavas bad enough to have to introduce a foreign insect to Hawaiʻi? How do we know that this insect won’t cause even greater damage to our native forests? The article continued to give information on the insect by stating that the small scale insect or the Tectococcus ovatus (T. ovatus) would provide natural control of the strawberry guava, according to the US Forest Service. The agency has determined that it will not harm any other native or beneficial plants or insects if introduced in the state. The determination was made after more than 15 years of tests by the agency to find a natural control insect for the strawberry guava plant. If they were trying to push to solve this issue for 15 years, they must have done all the research needed to conclude that this insect is what’s best for the strawberry guava problem. The article also said that when the biocontrol insect is released, strawberry guava will still be able to grow, but will be naturally controlled, which will lead to it being less invasive to the forest.

After being fully educated about the problem and solution that was came about through the news article, I’m in full support of the introduction of this small scale insect to Hawaiʻi to help the invasive spread of strawberry guava trees. I saw pictures of how widely spread the trees are throughout the islands and the dense amount of them in the areas, and I was shocked. I never realized that there was so much growing, even throughout ʻIao Valley, here on Maui. I do think that this insect would help to stabilize the rapid spread and growth of the strawberry guava. I just hope that the researchers’ conclusion will come out accurate and that the introduction does not wipe out the guavas completely, because they’re so ʻono loa!

References:

http://mauinow.com/2011/11/08/biocontrol-to-begin-against-strawberry-guava/#more-45951

http://mauinow.com/files/2011/11/Current-and-future-infestation-map.jpg

http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/programs/ipif/strawberryguava/strawberry_guava.shtml

Kūlanihākoʻi

On October 15, 2011, my friend and I went to watch a theatrical Hawaiian performance named Kūlanihākoʻi. It showed the story of the twins, Manawainui and Hauola, and what they had to learn and go through before and while returning to the place where they were born, Kūlanihākoʻi. Ultimately, the story was overall about the living waters and the significance of it. I never did hear this moʻolelo, so I was very happy to learn about it. It did reinforce what I was taught before, which was that water is the source of all life and it is very important, especially to Hawaiians. The performance gave me plenty of insight into the story of Manawainui and Hauola and even the older Hawaiian ways as told down through generations. For example, it was interesting learning that the siblings both had knowledge in the particular area of water, but had different specific specialties. Manawainui trained in the earthly water resources while Hauola trained in the elemental forms of water, like the rain, mist, and clouds. I also didn’t know that the water deities are born again and again in successive generations and that at Kūlanihākoʻi, siblings are born, one being male and one female. I was so happy to learn all these new things about the Hawaiian culture because I love learning more and more about my cultures history and traditions. I was also glad to find out that I had learned some of the terms that were used in the show. We discussed in class that an ʻūniki was a learning of a cultural practice which leads to a formal graduation, and in the story, the siblings had to undergo an ʻūniki ceremony which took place at Haleakalā to begin their journey back to Kūlanihākoʻi.

            Overall, I feel I was truly blessed to have been able to watch that amazing performance by many gifted hula dancers and chanters. I felt like I was doing just a small part in supporting and showing my appreciation for the Hawaiians’ art of hula. I’m so very thankful for the opportunity to learn more about the Hawaiian way and learn more about Hula. It makes me feel stronger as a Hawaiian, every time I gain more knowledge of it.

References:

http://www.mauiarts.org/imagez/KulanihakoiStudyGuide2011.pdf
http://www.pitchengine.com/mauiartsculturalcenter/worldpremierehuladramakolanihakoilivingwatersatmacc