Hawaii residents clash over invasive species control

WAILUKU, Maui (AP) — Maui authorities are discussing how to eradicate invasive species without trampling on the rights of individuals opposed to the methods used to fight them.

A judge earlier this month dismissed Brian Bardellini’s temporary restraining order against employees from the Maui Invasive Species Council and the Hawaii Ant Lab, reported The Maui News (https://bit.ly/2bz31X9 ). The judge said there wasn’t evidence to support the Huelo resident’s claim that the employees trespassed, threatened him and sprayed chemicals on him while treating for little fire ants.

The dispute highlighted a discussion between residents, businesses and elected officials about how to control invasive species in a way that is fair to everyone.

“We have situations where lots of neighbors are working to control coqui frogs or little fire ants, and there’s one property that doesn’t,” said Teya Penniman, former manager of the Maui Invasive Species Council. “We hear residents saying to us, ‘What can we do to change this?’”

But some residents, like Bardellini, take issue with the chemicals used to eradicate the pests.

Bardellini said his wife has a medical condition that causes her to get sick around pesticides. He said they were not told about the property’s little fire ant infestation before moving to the Huelo neighborhood and wanted to use boric acid on the insects, which they considered a natural alternative to the chemicals employed by Hawaii Ant Lab.

Hawaii Ant Lab Research Manager Cas Vanderwoude said boric acid is more toxic and dangerous to other animals, including humans.

Bardellini also submitted video of what he said was Maui Invasive Species Council and ant lab employees harassing him. The court found, however, that the employees tried to leave the scene but Bardellini confronted them.

Vanderwoude said eradication of the little fire ant on Hawaii island is no longer possible, but Maui still has a chance.