Little fire ant forum at Palamanui

Little fire ants have been a scourge on the windward side of the island for several years, and now the invasive species have developed into a growing problem in Kona and the surrounding communities of West Hawaii.

Considering that fact, the Governor’s Office in West Hawaii is hosting a little fire ant awareness forum in Room 127 on the Palamanui Campus of Hawaii Community College on Thursday, Oct. 27, from 6 to 8 p.m. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.

The address of the campus is 73-4225 Ane Keohokalole Highway.

Presenters from the Hawaii Ant Lab, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, the County of Hawaii Department of Research and Development and the Hawaii Department of Agriculture will be on hand to provide information and answer questions.

The goal is to disseminate information on both prevention and control of the pest. Little fire ants are threats to agricultural production, native ecosystems, animals and people. They pack a painful bite and have been known to contribute to blindness in household pets.

The event is free to the public.