A less aggressive strain of rapid ohia death, Ceratocystis huliohia, was recently detected in a single tree on private property in East Maui, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Tuesday.
A less aggressive strain of rapid ohia death, Ceratocystis huliohia, was recently detected in a single tree on private property in East Maui, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources said Tuesday.
The lone ohia tree, 15-20 feet tall and 8-10 inches in diameter, is located a few feet from a taro loi.
“This one tree is located away from other ohia trees, so this appears to be an isolated case,” said Lance DeSilva, Maui Forest Management Supervisor with DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife. “It will be treated immediately by torching or burning it.”
This is the first positive detection of the disease on Maui.
Rapid ohia death has impacted vast acreages and thousands of trees on Hawaii Island. Both strains — the most aggressive, Ceratocystis lukuohia, and Ceratocystis huliohia — have been detected here and on Kauai.
On Maui, only Ceratocystis huliohia has been detected.
According to DLNR, quarterly aerial surveys are conducted on Maui to spot trees that might be suspected of having the disease.
Typically, samples are then taken from the ground and sent to a lab in Hilo for further testing. The next Maui quarterly survey is scheduled to begin July 15.
DOFAW personnel on Maui are planning to reach out to residents of the Kipahulu and Hana areas to increase awareness in those communities.
