News & Media

Published in April, 2023, Audubon reporter, Jenny McKee, explores the  devastating effects that Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) is having on Hawaiiʻs native, endangered birds. 

 Pam Sullivan details what is currently being done at Pōhakuloa Training Area on Hawaiʻi island to help monitor and protect the forests at PTA from the disease, rapid ōhiʻa death.

by Amy Androff, Pacific Southwest Research Station

and Cheryl Laughlin, Pacific Southwest Regional Office

“What we learned during this process, and what we were able to share, was that a healthy forest means a healthy reef,” Tamba owner Saa Ginlack said in a press release. 

The Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Working Group is proud to share that the production team Club Sullivan, won three Emmy Awards for the documentary Saving ʻŌhiʻa, Hawaiʻi's Sacred Tree in June 2019! 

A team led by U.S. Geological Survey researchers has investigated the overlap in ʻōhiʻa (Metrosideros polymorhpa) distribution and the environmental range of Ceratocystis lukuohia, one of two fungal pathogens causing the disease known as Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. The impact of ROD is expected to reach many native plant species beyond ʻōhiʻa , including endangered plant species.

This year we have many ways to celebrate ʻāina: Earth Day (April 22), Merrie Monarch Festival week (April 24-27), and ʻŌhiʻa Lehua Day (April 25)! Read on to find out how you can help to protect our ʻāina and ʻōhiʻa trees.