Hauff said some of the new science discussed at the symposium includes new tools, such as a beetle repellent known as verbenone. “It’s a goo you put on trees that keeps beetles away. So, the hope is that where we detect the disease in new areas, it can prevent beetles from boring into trees and further spreading the disease. It’s experimental now, but we hope it will be a tool we can use in the future, particularly in places like Kauaʻi, which still has a chance to contain the disease.”
Scientists are also looking at the natural genetic resistance some ʻōhiʻa populations have to ROD. “If we can propagate those trees and interbreed them with other resistant trees, maybe we will have something that we can restore damaged forests with,” Hauff said.
While the community’s attention to preventing the spread of ROD in forests has waned somewhat with other crises taking front stage, ROD still remains an urgent issue. All the people working to stop the spread of the disease encourage forest users to know protocols such as not moving wood around, treating tools and boots before entering forested areas, and reporting any suspected infections to the experts for immediate attention.
“Many really smart people are working diligently on this disease, and there is hope that in time we will stop its spread,” Hauff concluded.
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RESOURCES
(All images and video courtesy: DLNR)
HD video – 2024 Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium SOTS (July 18, 2024):
(Transcriptions attached)
HD video – 2024 Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death Science Symposium, media clips (July 18, 2024):
HD video – Best of ʻŌhiʻa around Hawai‘i (various dates):