Invasive Species CRB Addressed at Tri-State Initiative Outreach Visit

Photo By Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner | Leroy Whilby, Bureau Chief at Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services and member of the Tri-State Initiative for Outreach and Communication delegation (middle right), watches team members of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Project survey the soil during a visit hosted by Naval Facilities Engineering Command (NAVFAC) Hawaii, Hawaii Department of Agriculture (HDOA), and Hawaii Natural Resources Committee, on Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, March 13, 2017. The Tri-State Initiative, which includes several representatives from the HDOA, the Florida Dept. of Agriculture and Consumer Services, and the California Dept. of Agriculture, was created to collaborate on different ways each state approaches invasive species. The visit was held in conjunction with the CRB Project. (U.S. Navy Photo by Mass Communications Specialist 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner)  

PEARL HARBOR, HI, UNITED STATES

03.13.2017

Story by Petty Officer 2nd Class Gabrielle Joyner 

Navy Public Affairs Support Element Detachment Hawaii

Naval Facilities Engineering Command Hawaii (NAVFAC HI), Hawaii Natural Resources Committee and Hawaii State Department of Agriculture (HDOA) hosted a tour for the Tri-State Initiative for Outreach and Communication delegation, in conjunction with the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Project at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam (JBPHH), March 13.

The objective was to bring together officials from the California Department of Agriculture, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services and HDOA who members Tri-State Initiative Outreach delegation, to learn more about each other’s limitations and strengths in combating invasive species particularly, the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB).

“Today I emphasized the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Project for two distinct reasons. First, the other states need to be aware of and ready to deal with detection of this devastating pest,” said Darcy Oishi, Biocontrol Section Chief for HDOA. “Second, Hawaii is unique in the degree and robustness of the HDOA’s extensive, collaborative relationship with the Navy.”

The CRB is an invasive species which poses a severe threat to Hawaii’s local flora. The large, black beetle is discernable by the horn on its head. It lays eggs in rotting logs and mulch. The first breeding site was discovered in Hawaii in December 2013, at Mamala Bay Golf Course on JBPHH. It is still inconclusive how the beetle arrived on the island.
A response team was formed in an effort to eradicate the invasive CRB from the Island. It is the biggest response to an invasive species in Hawaii’s history.

“The CRB Response team, which consists primarily of HDOA, the University of Hawaii, the U.S. Navy and the US Dept. of Agriculture, are fighting to protect not just Hawaii, but the rest of the country from this pest,” said Oishi. “Collaboration is key, as no single agency has sufficient resources to address the issues by itself. Most efforts to control invasive species fail in the absence of meaningful communication and collaboration.”

Lt. Col. David Berrios, lead contact between Department of the Navy and HDOA for NAVFAC HI, emphasized how critical the collaboration has been for success in maintaining the delicate balance of Hawaii’s ecosystem.

“All of the CRB partners are committed to the eradication of the species, which has translated into a very cohesive and supportive inter-departmental relationship,” said Berrios. “Human health, economic platforms, and military operations are directly affected by invasive species. If there was no team effort, the deterioration of the floral system would have a direct negative impact on the eco-tourism industry.”

The group toured several important sites used for the study, survey, and destruction of the CRB. During the expedition, the delegates were able to see the beetles, the larva and the green-waste where it likes to nest. The visiting officials also got a first-hand look at some of the innovative techniques used by JBPHH to combat the CRB populations, including in-vessel composting.

“The Navy Facilities Team created a new process in which we accelerate natural composting by collecting the green waste in a containerized system and applying chemicals that elevate temperature for a duration of 24 hours, that has proven effective in killing all stages of the CRB,” said Berrios.

The Tri-Sate Initiative Outreach delegation was created in an effort to build relationships between the states and to look for opportunities to work collaboratively together.

“The Tri-State Initiative highlights that the states of California, Florida, and Hawaii have unique opportunities that, with creativity, teamwork, and dedication, can result in forward progress in our mutual goals,” said Oishi.

Hawaii is unique among Tri-State Initiative delegation because it is the only state that has direct contact between their Department of Agriculture and the Department of Defense (DOD). During the tour, some of the officials asked how the HDOA was able to establish their working relationship with the military and expressed an interest in doing the same. Oishi offered to assist the delegates to form a plan in building rapport with the DOD.

“What was highlighted today was one of Hawaii's strengths; our collaborative approach to a wide range of issues,” said Oishi. “A key take-away for California and Florida will be that they can develop a similar relationship with bases in their respective state.”
Building lasting relations with organizations within the community is essential to the Navy’s ability to be good stewards of the land. Berrios explained the weight of the military being a “good neighbor”.

“Military bases are part of the local communities and we have the privilege and responsibility to affect positive change when confronted with a common purpose,” said Berrios. “Communication and transparency are key when working together with federal and state agencies, as well as the local community.”

The CRB has the potential to be a hazard to public safety. This is due particularly to the severe damage it inflicts on local coconut palm trees which can pose a falling risk, especially in strong weather events. Residents are urged to report any sightings of the beetle and to not move potentially infested materials such as compost or coconut palm trimmings themselves.

For more information, visit: www.hdoa.hawaii.gov/pi/main/crb/

• Date Taken: 03.13.2017
• Date Posted: 03.16.2017 02:28
• Story ID: 226986
• Location: PEARL HARBOR, HI, US