Bipartisan Infrastructure Law
Invasive Species | FY22 $6M

Inflation Reduction Act
Invasive Species | FY23 - 24 $8,400,000

The National Park Service (NPS), in partnership with state and federal agencies, is actively working to mitigate the impacts of non-native avian malaria threatening the survival of Hawaiian forest birds. The collaborative efforts are focused on deploying the Incompatible Insect Technique (IIT) to reduce the Southern house mosquito population in East Maui, particularly in Haleakalā National Park.

Why? East Maui is a hub of biodiversity and a crucial habitat for native forest birds. However, these birds face habitat loss due to climate-driven Culex mosquitoes and avian malaria. Two bird species have seen a drastic decline, with several species having less than 200 individuals remaining in the wild. Recent studies indicate a 50% reduction in the population size of the Kiwikiu (Maui parrotbill) and the ākohekohe (Maui crested honeycreeper) over the last two decades, leaving only about 150 Kiwikiu and 1,750 ākohekohe in the wild. Without intervention, they are projected to become extinct within a decade, if not sooner.

What Else? To address this urgent issue, the NPS and its partners, including the Hawaiʻi Department of Lands and Natural Resources and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, have developed and planned the use of biological control methods. A key strategy involves using a naturally occurring bacteria, Wolbachia, to infect male mosquitoes. These infected males can mate but do not produce offspring, leading to a population crash of the mosquito vector. This technique, proven effective on various islands and locations across the United States, will be complemented by the deployment of incompatible Culex males as biopesticides. Additionally, the project will provide employment opportunities for over 10 youth employees from partner organizations, contributing to local community engagement and conservation efforts.

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