State officials have been working to curb an infestation of coqui frogs in Pālolo Valley for almost a decade. In some cases, that means catching and removing the invasive frogs by hand.
Division of Forestry and Wildlife Specialist and expert coqui catcher Ryan Chang, alongside state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Specialist Jessica Ann Miura, gave an update on the fight against coqui in Pālolo to the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council on Tuesday.
The agriculture department first responded to reports of coqui frogs in Pālolo Valley in 2017. In addition to capturing the frogs by hand, state specialists spray a citric acid mixture — the only treatment for coqui approved by the state — in the area at least three times a month. They also work with community volunteers to map coqui activity and clear dense vegetation that serves as habitat for the frogs…