David Y. Ige | DLNR News Release: Boot Brush Stations Deployed in Fight Against Rapid ‘Ohi’a Death

(HONOLULU) – Hawaiian Electric powered Co. (HECO) has stepped up to aid reduce the spread of the Swift ‘Ōhi‘a Demise (ROD) disease on Oʻahu as a result of the structure, fabrication, and installation of a new model of boot brush station for trailheads. Sean Moura, Hawaiian Electric powered wildlife biologist, took an present boot brush style and modified it to be far more inviting and consumer-welcoming.

In collaboration with the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), the principle was to fine tune the structure and coordinate the fabrication of six prototype stations by the utility’s Electrical & Welding Services personnel. These customized-created boot brush stations are the to start with of their variety in Hawai‘i to include things like a independent dispenser for sterilizing spray and a bench so users can sit down and spray the bottoms and sides of their footwear comfortably.

Plant pathologist Dr. Lisa Keith and her staff at the USDA Agricultural Exploration Provider (ARS) in Hilo observed that 70{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547} isopropyl alcoholic beverages kills the pathogens that lead to ROD. “We recommend making use of a boot brush before and after mountaineering to take away soil that can contain the ROD pathogens and then spraying shoe soles with isopropyl alcohol to eliminate any remaining fungal spores,” mentioned Keith. “We gathered soil samples from 34 boot brush stations on Hawai‘i island, and we discovered that 28 of the stations had the ROD pathogens. Even even though just a handful of those people samples were being nonetheless feasible, this restricted study displays that the ROD pathogens do transfer close to on footwear.”

“Our environmental stewardship attempts at Hawaiian Electrical contains defending indigenous endemic species, particularly in areas wherever our utility infrastructure could possibly intersect with their habitats,” explained Karin Kimura, director of the HECO Environmental Division. “Working alongside one another, we can assistance lower the distribute of invasive species and ROD, and we’re happy to be a section of the effort and hard work to defend Oʻahu’s indigenous forests.”

Signage for the boot brush stations was created by means of a grant from the Hauʻoli Mau Loa Foundation. DOFAW staff have set up the stations at these 6 trailheads all-around Oʻahu: Hawai‘i Loa, Wiliwilinui, Manana, Waimano, Moanalua, and Aiea Loop. The initial boot brush station was set up at the Kamana Nui and Kamana Iki Valleys in Moanalua at the finish of March.

“Boot brush stations are not a new thought, having said that, our expanded layout with a modified handlebar and an built-in seating bench is intended to really encourage hikers to use it,” Moura explained. He and team from the Environmental Division will take a look at the trailheads quarterly more than the subsequent five decades and replace any boot brushes that are worn out, when DOFAW will be accountable for preserving the integrity of the stations.

“We want to thank Hawaiian Electric powered and Hau’oli Mau Loa Basis for staying great stewards of the forest and for currently being wonderful associates in our operate,” mentioned DLNR Chairperson Suzanne Scenario. “With numerous purely natural places viewing a report amount of site visitors, and with the resumption of interisland journey, DLNR and its partners remind all forest people to clear their sneakers, gear, and vehicles of any soil, and spray with a 70{a0ae49ae04129c4068d784f4a35ae39a7b56de88307d03cceed9a41caec42547} alcohol solution–before and right after browsing the forest.”

ROD is induced by two associated non-native fungal pathogens. These pathogens have killed above a million trees distribute over more than 185,000 acres of forest on Hawai‘i Island, and equally pathogens are current on Kauaʻi in constrained places. On O‘ahu, there have been 5 ‘ōhiʻa trees infected with the slower-acting pathogen that triggers ROD, though there have been no detections of the far more aggressive ROD pathogen. To day, there are no recognised ROD trees current on Molokai, Lanai, and the only ROD constructive tree on Maui was learned and wrecked in 2018.  Money offered by the Hawai‘i Legislature and by USDA keep on to aid aerial and floor-primarily based surveys and sampling for ROD in forests statewide, and the USDA ARS in Hilo proceeds to system samples to determine the existence or absence of the ROD pathogens.

# # #

Sources

(All photographs/video courtesy: DLNR)

Movie: Boot Brush Station (July 19, 2022)

https://vimeo.com/731534850

Photographs: Boot Brush Station (July 19, 2022) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/d9m3ieno143hfso/AACPToinPpNGpHbkAYQMP74qa?dl=

World wide web attribute: How to Use a Boot Brush Station https://vimeo.com/732245744

Current island maps, ROD outreach products and virtual pursuits (record of distinct on-line events and webinars) are available at www.rapidohiadeath.org.

Media Contact:

Madison Rice

Communications Specialist

Hawai’i Dept. of Land and Normal Methods

[email protected]

808-587-0396