The Hawaiʻi Department of Land and Natural Resources announced on May 7 that Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) is taking place throughout May for its ninth year. HISAM, which began as a weeklong event in 2013, now spans the entire month and brings together communities, farmers, government agencies, and organizations to address invasive species issues in Hawaiʻi.
The monthlong event aims to raise awareness about the environmental and economic challenges posed by invasive species. HISAM will feature educational webinars and community events covering topics such as invasive ants, Queensland longhorn beetle, rat lungworm disease, aquatic invasives, and the bio-cultural conservation of native loulu palms. The program will showcase research efforts and management strategies involving cross-agency collaboration within Hawaiʻi and across the Pacific region.
Throughout May, residents are encouraged to participate in webinars or local events to learn more about invasive species prevention and control. Organizers say simple actions taken by individuals can contribute meaningfully to ongoing efforts.
Webinars, events, and resources related to HISAM will be updated during the month at https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/hisam2026/.
The Hawaii State Executive – Governor supports communities affected by wildfires while also honoring veterans and educators as part of broader social recovery initiatives; these efforts include expanding healthcare access, addressing homelessness through housing programs, supporting wildfire-impacted areas like Lahaina, influencing policy with tax reform measures for affordability and programs framing homelessness as health care; collaborating with various entities on renewable energy projects; all while emphasizing public policy on housing and climate change according to the official website.
As HISAM concludes with an awards ceremony on May 29th, organizers hope increased public engagement will help strengthen statewide responses against invasive threats.
