The state Department of Agriculture said it was making progress with its action plans to protect invasive species, but had not yet released any information about them.

In June, the DOA, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and the University of Hawaii completed a declaration of intent (MOU) to develop plans to control some of Hawaii’s most concerning pests.

In a brief update at a state agriculture committee meeting on Wednesday, the department said it had approved a plan for small fire ants and was working on further measures for coconut rhinoceros beetles and coqui frogs.

However, the board did not provide details of the plan during the meeting, raising concerns among Wayne Tanaka, executive director of the Hawaiʻi Sierra Club.

Tanaka has been vocal in his calls for the Agriculture Ministry to do more to combat invasive species.

“I just feel like there’s a lot more information that the public is interested in, especially about coordinating with the groups on the ground who are on the front lines fighting small fire ants and CRB. We want to encourage coordination and collaboration with those folks,” Tanaka said at the board meeting.

The MOU makes authorities responsible for various aspects of invasive species management, including detection of pest infestations, treatments and investigations.

The aim of the agreement is to coordinate the authorities’ efforts to combat invasive species – which have so far been fragmented.

The DOA, which leads the state’s efforts to combat invasive species, also recently approved a Transitional arrangements for disadvantaged areas for quarantine areas and potentially contaminated material.

In addition, a series of more permanent changes to Hawaii’s Administrative Regulations (HAR) were approved in January 2023, but the Department has not yet implemented them. The changes include quarantines for infested material.

Earlier this month, Senator Jarrett Keohokalole, perhaps the state’s most passionate politician supporting DOA’s efforts to control invasive species, again urged the department to move forward with its various plans and rule changes.

Most written testimony at this week’s board meeting also asked for updates to the new HAR rules.

“These quarantine rules are critical in combating the rapid spread of invasive pests. … Businesses such as nurseries and landscapers are important vectors for the spread of these pests, even in regions where they have previously been eradicated,” said witness Linda Lyerly.