Forest Health Protection in Hawaiʻi & the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands

Eldorado NF, looking down toward Caples Lake, darker forested areas burned in the Caldor Fire.

Providing forest health technical assistance, training, sessions, and technology transfer to:

  • Hawaiʻi,
  • American Samoa,
  • Guam,
  • Republic of Palau,
  • Federated States of Micronesia,
  • Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, and
  • Republic of the Marshall Islands

Unique Features

  • Pacific Island forest health issues are often caused by invasive, exotic species, including weeds, insects, pathogens, and vertebrates.
  • In this age of accelerated movement of people and goods in the Pacific, Pacific Islands are particularly vulnerable to new introductions and are also a potential source of invasive species to the United States mainland.

Forest Health Highlights

For more information on major forest health issues on Hawaiʻi and the U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands please visit our Invasive Insects & Forest Diseases and Invasive Plants pages.

  • Myrtle Rust

    Myrtle rust, caused by the fungus Fusarium oxysporum, is a plant pathogen that has spread from its origin in Latin America to Hawaiʻi, the Pacific, Australia, and New Zealand in the past few years.

  • Koa Wilt

    Koa wilt is a serious, often fatal disease of the native Hawaiian koa, Acacia koa.

  • Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death in Hawaiʻi

    Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is newly identified fungal disease caused by Ceratocystis lukuohia that is currently attacking and killing ʻōhiʻa on Hawaiʻi Island. For more information on this disease, refer to Cannon et al (2022a).

  • Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle

    The rhinoceros beetle is native to Africa, China, Myanmar/India, and Southeast Asia and has been introduced to several Pacific Islands.

  • Little Fire Ant

    Little fire ants rank among the world’s worst invasive species and pose a significant health harming hazard for humans, plants, and animals.

  • Phellinus noxius

    Phellinus noxius is a butt rotting fungus that has been found on a high proportion of the U.S. Affiliated Islands in the western Pacific. It has been found to be able to attack and kill a large number of tree species in this area. For more information on this fungus, refer to Cannon et al (2022b).

Contact Us

  • Stacy Hishinuma, Regional Entomologist
    Voice: 909-382-2620
  • Kylle Roy, Entomologist for Hawaiʻi & U.S. Affiliated Pacific Islands
    Voice: 808-854-2648
  • Stacey Clark, Regional Invasive Plants Program Manager & Pesticide Use Coordinator
    Voice: 707-980-9010
  • Phil Cannon, Regional Forest Pathologist
    Voice: 707-562-8913