The Office of Maunakea Management, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and University of Hawaii at Hilo Department of Physics and Astronomy continue their community presentations at 7 p.m. today with a program titled “Raising Awareness of Rapid Ohia Death.”
The Office of Maunakea Management, ‘Imiloa Astronomy Center and University of Hawaii at Hilo Department of Physics and Astronomy continue their community presentations at 7 p.m. today with a program titled “Raising Awareness of Rapid Ohia Death.”
The free Maunakea Speaker Series presentation will take place at UH-Hilo’s Wentworth Hall, Room 1. On-campus parking after 4 p.m. is open and available without charge.
J.B. Friday, extension forester with the UH College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, will talk about rapid ohia death, a fungal disease that is causing extensive mortality across tens of thousands of acres of ohia (Metrosideros polymorpha) forests on Hawaii Island.
Loss of these native forests threatens native species, watershed protection, landscape and cultural resources. Friday will provide updates on what is known about the pathogens, how the disease moves, how it is being monitored, ongoing research and measures taken to limit the spread of the disease.
The Office of Maunakea Management is charged with day-to-day management of Mauna Kea Science Reserve. The mission of the OMKM is to achieve harmony, balance and trust in the sustainable management and stewardship of Mauna Kea Science Reserve through community involvement and programs that protect, preserve and enhance the natural, cultural and recreational resources of Mauna Kea while providing a world-class center dedicated to education, research and astronomy.
For more information, visit malamamaunakea.org or call 933-0734.