The Maui Invasive Species Committee has cut field staff and shifted strategy, asking some Haiku residents to treat coqui infestations themselves. Locals warn that without more resources, the loud, invasive frogs could spread beyond their current 6-square-mile range into other parts of Maui.
- MISC field staff has dropped to just two workers and a supervisor, down from a peak of 20 in 2021.
- Residents in heavily infested ‘Zone 1’ areas near Maliko Gulch will no longer receive hands-on field crew assistance and must apply citric acid treatments themselves.
- MISC’s current focus is preventing coqui spread into East Maui and other high-risk areas not yet affected.
- Coqui frogs produce noise comparable to a leaf blower and can carry parasites linked to rat lungworm disease, a concern for residents and guests.
- A 2020 study estimated coqui eradication on Maui would cost $63.5 million over 10 years, a funding level never achieved.
Source: Maui News
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