MOLOKAI TIMES (Hawaii) 20 June 08 Brown tree snakes can pose a threat to Molokai
With people traveling to and from different places and things being shipped to Molokai, we need to be aware of the potential for invasive pests to be imported.
Brown tree snakes are one of those potential threats.
Once established somewhere, brown tree snakes can drastically change the ecosystem and economy.
In Guam, a western Pacific Ocean island, these snakes are responsible for the extinction of many of the island’s native forest birds and some of the native lizards.
If brown tree snakes are allowed to inhabit Molokai, the few native birds we have left will be in great danger.
Being that most of our native animals are only found here in Hawaii, it will be a great loss that cannot be fixed.
Remember once something is extinct, it is lost forever. Can you imagine never being able to see an apapane?
Already we have lost so many native birds, which in turn resulted in the extinction of some native plants. Without the current native birds we will definitely lose more native plants that depend on those birds for pollination.
Brown tree snakes would have a negative impact on the economies of the Hawaiian Islands.
These snakes have created frequent electrical power outages in Guam. These power outages total about 200 per year and are costing Guam more than $4.5 million each year.
A study conducted by the University of Hawaii shows that the State of Hawaii would pay $28 million to $40 million to address similar power outage problems if the brown tree snake were to establish itself on the islands.
Brown tree snakes would also negatively impact the tourism industry — something that Hawaii greatly depends on.
Having a brown tree snake problem will cause tourists to choose different destinations or shorten their trips. This would affect the amount of revenue flowing into the industry.
Hawaii will have to pay not only in power outage costs and the loss of tourism, but also to manage the brown tree snake problem. It would cost nearly $4 million to control the snakes.
The time it takes to transport people and supplies between islands will greatly increase. If one island becomes infested by brown tree snakes, people leaving that island would need to check their luggage and supplies extensively to prevent spreading the infestation to other islands.
Getting someone to inspect all cargo leaving and coming to Molokai would help prevent the introduction of brown tree snakes and other invasive pests.
Currently we do not have the money to employ this type of personnel for the island, but having someone here would greatly benefit Molokai's future.
It would cut down on all the costs of any introduced invasive pests and eliminate the environmental impacts the invasive pests would have on the island.
Brown tree snakes are a health hazard as well.
In Guam they have been known to crawl into infant cribs. The venom which is released into the infant can cause respiratory distress, neurological dysfunction and swelling in the area which is bitten. Do you want your child to be at risk of being bitten by one of these snakes?
Help the Molokai-Maui Invasive Species Committee by reporting any snake sightings by calling 553-5236 ext. 204.
If you would like to learn more about brown tree snakes you can visit the HEAR Web site at www.hear.org or visit the airport kiosk during the month of June and July.
With your help we can prevent these snakes from becoming established here on Molokai. Prevention is the key for the success in keeping Molokai safe and the Molokai community is the key for prevention.
Brown tree snakes can pose a threat to Molokai