DLNR: Spread of ohia wilt much greater than originally thought

The spread of rapid ohia death on Hawaii Island is much greater than originally feared, according to a release Friday from the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

Helicopter overflights of 810,000 acres of Big Isle forests betwen Jan. 11 and Jan. 15 showed that the infection has spread to approximately 34,000 acres of ohia forest — more than double estimates made in 2014 using satellite imagery of the island.

A state forester reported that the aerial survey may have also revealed for the first time that the fungus had spread to forests in the Kohala area.

Ohia forests cover approximately 865,000 acres of land across the state and are considered the primary species providing habitat for countless plants, animals and invertebrates, according to the release. These forests also protect watersheds that provide significant agriculture and drinking water across the state.

For more information, see tomorrow’s edition of the Tribune-Herald.

Email Colin M. Stewart at cstewart@hawaiitribune-herald.com.