A bill recently approved by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee could bolster efforts to combat invasive species on Hawaii Island by expanding an existing “strike team” initiative.

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A bill recently approved by the U.S. House Natural Resources Committee could bolster efforts to combat invasive species on Hawaii Island by expanding an existing “strike team” initiative.

The bill would build on a program through the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to assemble groups of experts to coordinate ways to prevent, identify and remove invasive species in National Wildlife Refuges. If passed, it would provide an additional $10 million annually to support the work through 2033.

On Hawaii Island, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee has been a part of a strike team for the past decade or so working within the Hakalau National Wildlife Refuge on the eastern slopes of Maunakea.

BIISC Program Manager Franny Brewer welcomed the potential for the program to grow and increase its reach. She said it brings together and empowers people with the expertise necessary to have the most impact in the region.

“I think that a strike team model is great because you get folks who are very skilled,” she said. “I think there’s a lot of value in having money going towards people who are dedicated to this type of work, because there’s a learning curve to it, and then there’s definitely a benefit to having that high skill level in the field as far as your efficiency and your ability to to get more done.”

She said it also allows for a holistic approach to addressing overall ecosystem health within refuges rather than targeting individual species.

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“What’s really great is that you have this opportunity to maintain the ecosystem at a level that is healthy enough to sustain a lot of threatened and endangered species … ,” Brewer said. “We’re not there because we’re connected to specifically an ‘akepa (Hawaiian honeycreeper) response or an ‘akiapola‘au (Hawaiian woodpecker) response. We are there because we’re maintaining the whole of the refuge … you have this opportunity with removing invasive species to allow other things to flourish.”

The bill was introduced by U.S. Rep. Ed Case (D-First District) of Hawaii following a visit by federal invasive species experts to the state to evaluate the impact of invasive species on the islands.

“In Hawaii, invasive species have caused significant ecological damage, threatening the survival of native birds and plants,” Case said in a press release. “Protecting Hawaii’s unique biodiversity is not just an environmental necessity — it is a cultural imperative that reflects the identity and heritage of the Hawaiian people.”

He said the measure would also create a more comprehensive way of monitoring progress.

“The act also mandates enhanced coordination and reporting through integrated systems and standardized procedures, ensuring transparency and enabling us to track progress with annual reports to Congress and the public,” Case said.

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The measure now awaits approval by the full House.

Email Grace Inez Adams at [email protected].