Ka Wai Ola - Office of Hawaiian Affairs, Volume 34, Number 8, 1 ʻAukake 2017 — KŌKUA IS HERE! [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

KŌKUA IS HERE!

here's nu 'oli (good news) on I the horizon for our beloved tree,

I the Uhi a Lehua, I on Moku O Keawe I (Hawai'i Island). To refresh and summarize the ehallenge confronting us: The 'Ōhi'a Lehua (Metrosideros poīymorpha) faces extinction on the Big Island because of the Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death fungus (aka ROD). Thus far ROD ( Ceratocytis fimbriata) is only a threat and it's difficult to comprehend "extinction" as a possibility. Those of us who are kama 'āiina to the Big Island grew up with the 'Ōhi'a Lehua (as well as with auava and

its second cousin-M'flWM7" and Christmas berry). To think that 'Ōhi'a someday could be "a memory" is difficult to accept, imagine, fathom. Unless an antidote is found, "possibility" will moiph into "reality." The landscape evidence is prevalent in the uplands of South Hilo, Puna, Ka'ū and Kona. And, ROD eontinues to spread like a cancer across, over and throughout Hawai'i Island. It's in the uplands. It's in our forests and watersheds. This is not Fake News. It's definitely not an "alternative fact," "Henny Penny" stuff or an event to be ignored. And, the last thing we need is an EO from POTUS to deal with ROD. ROD surfaced in 20 14 like a "thief in the night" and reared its ugly head. In its wake and in a very short time, ROD has destroyed thousands of acres of 'ōhi'a trees. It must be stopped before it pulverizes a significant and special pieee of our cultural tapestry into oblivion. We are on Red Alert, in crisis mode. The kuleana is ours to deal with. The good news-Kōkua is Here. Individuals (State Directors-Suzanne Case-DLNR and Scott Enwright-DOA, Dr. BJ Friday and Dr. Lisa Keith-USDA), several puhlieprivate institutions (USDA, PBARC, USFS, DLNR, DOA, Kamehameha Schools to name a few), are focusing their energy, working feverishly and sharing 'ike (knowl-

edge) and resources, to combat this nasty intruder and unwelcomed fungus. It's a

tungus new to Hawai ī and to science. This is problematic as an antidote has yet to be discovered. But we must remain hopeful a cure will be found to spare our 'Ōhi'a Lehua from the Enāangered Species List. In the meanhme this is how we ean help on the Homefront, at the loeal, community level on Moku o Keawe where the best problem solving must occur (taken verbatim from http://cms.ctahr.hawaii. edu/rod/Home.aspx website): RAPID 'ŌHI'A DEATH

What Can We Do? 1. Don't move 'Ōhi'a wood or 'Ōhi'a parts. If you don't know where the 'Ōhi'a is from don't move it. 2. Don't transport 'Ōhi'a interisland. Follow the Hawaii State Department of Agriculture quarantine rule and help to keep ROD from reaching the other islands. 3. Avoid injuring 'Ōhi'a. Wounds serve as early entry points for the fungus and increase the odds that the tree will heeome infected and die from ROD. Avoid pruning and contact with heavy equipment whenever possible. 4. Clean gear and tools, including shoes and clothes, before and after entering forests. Brush all soil off of tools and gear, then spray with 70 percent rubbing aleohol. Wash clothes with hot water and soap. 5. Wash the tires and undercarriage of your vehicle with soap and remove all soil and mud, especially after traveling from an area with ROD and/or if you have traveled off road. By following these simple practices, we ean all ensure 'Ōhi'a for our future. An 'ōlelo no'eau from Pūku'i on 'Ōhi'a Lehua - I mohala nō ka lehua i ke ke'ehi 'ia e ka ua. Translation-The Lehua blossom unfolds when the rains tread on it. EXPLANAĪION - People respond better to gentle words than to scoldings. ■

Rūbert K. Lindsey, Jr. Trustee, Hawai'i