Hawaiʻi has no official, ranked list of exactly 12 invasive species. The examples below are a practical cross-section of plants, wildlife, insects, aquatic species, and disease identified in state and public education resources. An invasive species is not simply a non-native species: Hawaiʻi’s working definition requires human-assisted introduction plus actual or potential harm to the environment, economy, agriculture, natural resources, or human health.
What counts as invasive in Hawaiʻi?
Hawaiʻi’s isolation allowed native plants and animals to evolve without many of the competitors, predators, diseases, and hoofed animals later brought by people. That history makes some ecosystems unusually vulnerable. However, the state explicitly distinguishes harmful introductions from non-native species that do not cause documented harm. The Hawaiʻi Division of Forestry and Wildlife says, “It is important to note that not all introduced species are considered invasive, only those that cause environmental or economic harm, or harm to human health.”
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The Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council’s profile directory is a source of information, not a comprehensive inventory or regulatory list. Hawaiʻi currently has no single official regulatory list of invasive species, and the council does not present these 12 examples as a ranking. Distribution, legal status, and response guidance can change, so check the current profile or agency notice before moving an organism between islands or taking control action.
For definitions and the council’s directory, see Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council: Invasive Species Profiles and the Division of Forestry and Wildlife invasive-species guidance.
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12 examples and what is known about them
| Species or threat | Group | Documented concern | Presence or status snapshot |
|---|---|---|---|
| Miconia | Tree | Spreads through forests, suppresses other plants, and has shallow roots associated with erosion risk. | Hawaiʻi profile; verify current island distribution. |
| Albizia | Tree | Listed in the council’s funded/target species directory; local impacts should be read from the current profile. | Distribution not stated in the supplied profile summary. |
| Banana poka | Vine | Listed by the council and on Hawaiʻi’s noxious weed list. | Confirm island and legal details in the current profile. |
| Axis deer | Hoofed mammal | Browses native plants and crops; hoof activity breaks soil apart and increases erosion. | Island populations differ; do not assume statewide presence. |
| Coqui frog | Frog | Listed as a council target species and injurious wildlife. | Confirm local occurrence and current response guidance. |
| Small Indian mongoose | Mammal | Listed as injurious wildlife and a target species on Kauaʻi. | The cited directory specifically identifies a Kauaʻi target designation. |
| Coconut rhinoceros beetle | Beetle | Attacks palms, including coconut palms, and threatens native palms. | A public education snapshot identifies it on Oʻahu. |
| Little fire ant | Ant | Delivers painful stings and affects outdoor activity, agriculture, native species, and public health. | Use the current state snapshot for island-specific status. |
| Red imported fire ant | Ant | Listed as injurious wildlife and a pest for control. | Confirm occurrence before treating it as established where you live. |
| Apple snail | Freshwater snail | Included in the council directory and the aquatic invasive-species directory. | Island and freshwater-site context must be confirmed. |
| Brown tree snake | Snake | Would threaten native birds and public health if introduced. | Public education material labels it “Not present in Hawaiʻi.” |
| Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death | Fungal disease | Kills ʻōhiʻa, affecting biodiversity and water recharge. | A public snapshot identifies it on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. |
The council’s directory also covers many organisms outside this selection, including other plants, vertebrates, invertebrates, pathogens, and aquatic threats. Aquatic invaders are documented by the Division of Aquatic Resources introduced and invasive species directory.
Plants and plant diseases
Miconia
Miconia is a South American tree that can spread through Hawaiian forests. Council material says dense growth inhibits other plants, while its shallow root system increases erosion risk. Loss of plant diversity and exposed soil can affect watershed functions, so a suspected tree should be documented and reported rather than casually cut, transported, or propagated. Read the current profile through the council profile directory for identification and island guidance.
Albizia
Albizia appears in the council’s funded and target species directory. The supplied state summary does not establish one island-wide distribution or provide a single impact statement for every albizia species or location. Treat an identification as a profile-checking and reporting question: photograph the plant, record the island and site, and use the current council entry before choosing removal or disposal methods.
Banana poka
Banana poka is listed by the council and identified there as being on Hawaiʻi’s noxious weed list. That legal classification makes correct identification and disposal especially important. Do not move cuttings, fruit, or soil from a suspected infestation. Confirm the current noxious-weed requirements and island distribution in the official profile before attempting control.
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Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death is an invasive fungal disease rather than an animal or weed. Public education material identifies it on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi and explains that it kills ʻōhiʻa, the most abundant native tree in Hawaiian forests. Because ʻōhiʻa supports biodiversity and helps maintain water recharge, moving infected wood or contaminated equipment can expand the problem. If you suspect the disease, avoid transporting plant material and follow the latest forestry instructions linked from the council and forestry agencies.
Land animals and frogs
Axis deer
Axis deer browse native vegetation and agricultural crops. Their hooves break up soil, which can increase erosion, especially where repeated movement removes ground cover. Island populations and control rules are not uniform. Do not feed, capture, transport, or release deer; check local wildlife instructions before fencing, hazing, or arranging removal. The council’s ecological context and examples are available at Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council: Invasive Species.
Coqui frog
The council lists coqui frog among target species and injurious wildlife. Those designations carry legal and management implications, but the supplied state summary does not establish one set of effects or a statewide distribution for every island. Report a suspected frog through 643PEST so the appropriate agency can determine identification and response instead of moving frogs, plants, or soil from the site.
Small Indian mongoose
Mongoose is listed as injurious wildlife, and the council directory identifies it as a target species on Kauaʻi. Because an injurious-wildlife designation can affect possession and transport, never relocate an animal yourself. A clear photograph, precise location, and date help wildlife officials evaluate a report.
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Brown tree snake
The brown tree snake is included here as a prevention example, not an established Hawaiian pest. The public education resource labels it “Not present in Hawaiʻi” and explains that an introduction could threaten native birds and public health. Do not assume a snake sighting is this species; keep a safe distance, photograph it only if practical, and report it immediately through 643PEST.
Insects and other invertebrates
Coconut rhinoceros beetle
The state says coconut rhinoceros beetles threaten palms, including coconut palms. A public education snapshot identifies the beetle on Oʻahu and describes damage to coconut and native palms. The state’s invasive-pest guidance says owners of affected private property generally need to treat the issue themselves or call a pest-control company; public assistance varies by island. Do not move palm debris, compost, soil, or suspected beetles between properties without checking current quarantine and disposal instructions. See Hawaiʻi Invasive Pests: CRB & LFA.
Little fire ant
Little fire ants can deliver painful stings and affect people, pets, outdoor activity, agriculture, native species, and public health. A tiny ant colony can be difficult to recognize, so do not rely on color alone or spread bait from one area to another before confirming the identification. On private property, the state generally places treatment responsibility on the owner or a pest-control company, with availability of public help varying by island. Keep children and animals away from suspected colonies and follow the state’s current treatment directions at Hawaiʻi Invasive Pests: CRB & LFA.
Red imported fire ant
Red imported fire ant is listed in the council directory as injurious wildlife and a pest for control. The supplied state summary does not establish that it is present in every community. Confirm a sighting and local occurrence before applying any treatment, transporting soil, or warning that an island is infested. A 643PEST report allows officials to determine whether a response is warranted.
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Apple snail
Apple snail appears in both the council directory and the Division of Aquatic Resources’ aquatic invasive-species directory. Because identification and impacts depend on the species, island, and freshwater setting, never release an aquarium snail into a stream, pond, or drainage ditch. Keep suspected specimens contained, do not move water or aquatic plants, and consult the current aquatic-resources entry before disposal.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why island-by-island status matters
Hawaiʻi is an archipelago, not one uniform habitat. A species may be established on one island, under surveillance on another, or absent from the state. The public education snapshots used for this overview identify coconut rhinoceros beetle on Oʻahu, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi, and brown tree snake as absent from Hawaiʻi. They also provide selected information about little fire ant, but a current agency profile is the proper source for a present-day island determination. The same caution applies to albizia, banana poka, axis deer, coqui frog, mongoose, red imported fire ant, and apple snail.
Before transporting a plant, animal, soil, firewood, palm debris, aquarium water, or outdoor equipment between islands, check current agriculture, wildlife, and aquatic-resources restrictions. Hawaiʻi prohibits releasing introduced wildlife, and species designated as injurious can have additional possession, transport, or export rules. The Division of Forestry and Wildlife explains how agencies coordinate these issues.
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How to report a suspected invasive species
The state’s public reporting route is 643PEST. It accepts reports by telephone, website, and mobile app and routes them to the appropriate agency when officials determine that a response is necessary.
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- Keep people and pets away from organisms that sting, bite, scratch, or may carry disease.
- Do not handle, release, feed, transport, or mail the specimen. Avoid moving soil, water, plant cuttings, palm debris, firewood, or contaminated tools.
- Take photographs from a safe distance. Include a close view and a wider image showing the habitat, if you can do so without disturbing it.
- Record the island, address or nearest landmark, date, habitat type, and approximate number of organisms.
- Submit the report through 643PEST and follow any instructions from the responding agency.
For a private-property little fire ant or coconut rhinoceros beetle problem, the state says owners generally must arrange treatment themselves or hire a pest-control company. That does not mean every island has the same services or that a generic pesticide is appropriate.
Control methods and safety
Hawaiʻi’s Plant Pest Control Branch describes chemical, mechanical, biological, and integrated approaches. The correct method depends on the organism, life stage, site, legal designation, and risk to native species, water, pets, and people. An unidentified insect, plant disease, aquatic animal, or snake should not be treated with a household pesticide chosen from a photograph.
- Protect pets and people: keep animals away from suspected fire-ant colonies, treated areas, diseased trees, and unknown wildlife.
- Prevent spread: clean boots, tools, vehicles, and equipment when an agency recommends it; do not move infested material.
- Use legal disposal: follow island-specific directions for weeds, palm waste, aquarium animals, and infected wood.
- Use professionals when needed: private-property pest control may be necessary for little fire ants or coconut rhinoceros beetles, while wildlife and plant-disease cases may require state or county coordination.
Current control contacts and early-response information are provided by the Plant Pest Control Branch. Reporting first is safer than guessing, because an incorrect treatment can spread the organism or harm non-target wildlife.
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These 12 examples illustrate different pathways of harm: forest competition and erosion, crop and native-plant browsing, painful stings, palm damage, aquatic introductions, potential wildlife predation, and a fungal disease that kills ʻōhiʻa. They are not a ranked “worst” list and they are not all present on every island. Identify carefully, check the current official profile, and use 643PEST when you suspect an invasive species.
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