What is Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death?
The fungus, Ceratocystis, has impacted over 50,000 acres of ʻŌhiÊ»a forest on HawaiÊ»i Island so far. Here’s how you can learn more about it:
- If you’d  like to spend an excellent 35 minutes to learn what Rapid ʻŌhiÊ»a Death (ROD) is, how it’s being detected and about the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources’ (CTAHR) Strategic Response Plan, watch extension forester Dr. J.B. Friday, discuss this subject with the HawaiÊ»i County Council Committee on Agriculture on February 12, 2017 and presented by Big Island Video News.
- Visit CTAHR’s’ page dedicated to Rapid ʻŌhiÊ»a Death to find out where it is, what you can do about it and helpful links, including their Facebook page.
Image Wikimedia USGS
State Board of Land and Natural Resources Approves Carbon Credits Initiative–“Growing Trees will Provide Opportunity for Purchase of Credits”
A Hawai’i Department of Land and Natural Resources  news release on January 30, 2017 announced, “If you drive a car, fly in a plane, use air conditioning to cool your home, or engage in other activity powered by fossil fuels that emit greenhouse gas, you may soon have new ways to offset your emissions locally, by supporting Hawaiian forest restoration.”
The release announces approval of Hawai’i’s first-ever carbon offset in State forests. “DLNR and its Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) will now issue a request for proposals for private entities to create a carbon forestry project in the Pu’u Mali Restoration Area in the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve on Hawai’i Island.” the announcement states. See the full release for more details.
KHON Reports Endangered Bird Returns to Hawaii Forest After More Than a Decade
KHON reports critically endangered bird returns to Hawaii forest after more than a decade.
Nahelehele Dryland Forest Symposium February 26, 2016
The tenth anniversary of the annual Nahelehele  Dryland Symposium will take place on Friday, February 26, from 9:00-4:30 at the Courtyard of King Kamehameha Kona Beach Hotel in Kailua Kona. See the Nahelehele site for more information.
Research Symposiums and New Ideas from Pacific Northwest to East-West Center
It’s a great time of year to regroup and find out what colleagues and experts have to say about new research and trends. If you happen to be heading to the Pacific Northwest in November, here’s information on the Northwest Bioenergy Research Symposium on November 13. Symposium organizers will host Frank Botler, USDA NIFA Director,Institute of Bioenergy, Climate and Environment as the keynote speaker.
And, a reminder, the 2012 International Sandalwood Symposium is slated for October 21-24 at the East-West Center, University of Hawaii, Manoa in Honolulu. The symposium is being organized by the International Sandalwood Foundation and United Plant Savers.