Hawai‘i Island Invasive Plants Field Trip

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Hawai‘i Island Invasive Plants: From rainforests to tropical drylands

Click Here To Reserve Your Spot!
Date: September 23, 2015
Time: 8:00am - 6:00pm (roundtrip from Waikoloa Beach Marriott Hotel)

  • Registration Deadline: Wednesday, September 2, 2015
  • Cost: $85 Per Person
  • Contingent on a minimum enrollment of 35 participants
  • Once the minimum enrollment has been confirmed, your payment will be processed
  • Cancellation deadline: September 2, 2015
  • Refunds will not be issued after September 2, 2015

Advisory:

  • Those with heart or lung conditions must be aware of altitude, weather and air changes
  • What To Wear: Comfortable walking/hiking shoes & long pants
  • What To Bring: Light rain gear, light jacket, towel, sun block, hat, at least 1 liter of water, & a camera

Inclusions:

  • Roundtrip transportation (Waikoloa Beach Marriott)
  • Picnic lunch with beverage
  • Snacks & one bottle of water
  • Volunteer Guides
  • Scenic Drive in Onomea
  • Drive on Stainback Highway
  • Drive up Saddle Road

Tentative Itinerary:

7:45am Board bus in front of Waikoloa Beach Marriott
8:00 - 9:45am Travel from Waikoloa Marriott, to UH Cooperative Extension Service Waimea Office, Waimea Civic Center Park via Kawaihae Rd. Invasive species en route include koa haole (Leucaena leucocephala), Lantana camara, kiawe or mesquite (Prosopis pallida), and fountain grass (Cenchrus (formerly Pennisetum) setaceus). Restrooms available.
8:45 - 9:45am Fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis) management and biocontrol in Hawaii pastures. Host: Dr. Mark Thorne, UH Manoa CTAHR Cooperative Extension Service.
9:45 - 10:50am Travel from Waimea to Hawaii Tropical Botanical Garden, Scenic Drive, Onomea. Invasive species en route include ironwood (Casuarina equisteifolia), African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata), and Guinea grass (Megathyrsus (formerly Panicum) maximus).
10:50 - 11:15am The battle to control Micona calvescens in Hawaii
11:15 - 11:35am Travel from Ononmea to Coconut Island, Likiuokalani Gardens, Hilo. Invasive species en route include mule’s foot fern (Angiopteris evecta).
11:35am - 12:35pm Lunch at Coconut Island, Liliuokalani Gardens, Hilo. In case of rain lunch to be held at Wailoa Park. Restrooms available.
12:35 - 12:50pm Travel to UH Cooperative Extension Service offices, 875 Komohana St, Hilo
12:50 - 1:20pm Strawberry guava (Psidium cattleianum) threats, management, and bio-control. Also Koster’s curse (Clidemia hirta) and Melastoma septemnervium.
1:20 - 1:30pm Travel to Boiling Pots via Komohana St and Waianuenue Ave.
1:30 - 2:30pm Community efforts to control albizia (Falcataria moluccana), Hawaii’s most dangerous invasive plant. Host: William Buckley, Big Island Invasive Species Committee. Restrooms available.
2:00 - 3:00pm Travel to Humuula overlook, Saddle Road mile marker 26 via Akola Road if possible, Wilder Road, upper Puainako Extension (Route 2000), and Saddle Road. Other invasive species include Java plum (Syzygium jambos) and the associated rust Puccina psidii, and several species of ginger (Hedychium spp.)
3:00 - 3:30pm Gorse (Ulex europaeus) management. Other invasive species en route include pines (Pinus spp.) and pink-headed knotweed (Persicaria capitata).
3:30 - 3:40pm Travel to Mauna Kea State Park. Restrooms available.
3:40 - 4:15pm Invasive grasses and wildfire. Fountain grass (Cenchrus (formerly Pennisetum) setaceus), buffel grass (Cenchrus (formerly Pennisetum) ciliaris, broomsedge (Andropogon virginicus), tufted beardgrass (Schizachyrium condensatum), Kikuyu grass (Cenchrus (formerly Pennisetum) clandestinus), and molasses grass (Melinus minutiflora).
4:15 - 5:00pm Travel to Waikoloa Marriott via old Saddle Road (Waikii Ranch) if possible, otherwise via new Saddle Road extension. Invasive weeds en route include fireweed (Senecio madagascariensis).
5:00pm Arrive at Waikoloa Beach Marriott
Island Route 152 miles

Route Map: