David Y. Ige

Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death has already killed hundreds of thousands of this native tree in Hawaii Island forests.  This disease is new to science and to Hawaii and thus has prompted state and federal agencies to combine efforts to try and find answers and potential treatments, as well as to inform and educate people about Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death. At simultaneous news conferences on Oahu and Hawaii Island, managers and researchers will provide updates on Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death as well as on an awareness campaign associated with this disease.

What:

Honolulu and Hilo News Conferences

When:

Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2015

11 a.m.

Where:

Honolulu-DLNR Chairperson’s Office, 1151 Punchbowl Street (Kalanimoku Building)

Hilo-Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center, 64 Nowelo Street

Who:

• Suzanne Case, Chair, Dept. of Land & Natural Resources (Honolulu)
• Scott Enright, Chair, Dept. of Agriculture (Honolulu)
• Rob Hauff, Forest Health Coordinator, Acting Protection Forester,

DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (Honolulu)

• J.B. Friday, Extension Forester, UH Cooperative Extension Service (Hilo)
• Flint Hughes, Research Ecologist, USDA Forest Service Institute of Pacific Islands Forestry (Hilo)
• Lisa Keith, Research Plant Pathologist, USDA Agricultural Research Service (Hilo)
• Steven Bergfeld, Branch Manager, DLNR Division of Forestry & Wildlife (Hilo)

Media Contact:

Dan Dennison

Senior Communications Manager

(808) 587-0407