Editorial
Invasion of loud frogs no laughing matter

While it may appear there's something humorous about the idea of being invaded by tiny, very loud frogs, there is really nothing at all funny about the situation.

For that reason, O'ahu homeowners, gardeners and nurseries must take as very serious the possibility that substantial colonies of Caribbean frogs may become established on their island.

The frogs are already well-established on the Big Island and have been increasing on Maui.

The little critters are more than a nuisance and another form of competition for Hawai'i's native species. Their nighttime mating calls, in chorus, can approach deafening levels. This poses a serious threat, not just to the peace and quiet of local residents, but to the visitor industry itself.

For the moment, the effort to keep the frog invasion at bay on O'ahu has depended on volunteers, who work with the state in collecting the animals by hand. Longer term, there is hope for early EPA approval for a new poisonous caffeine compound.

In the meantime, it is important that those who buy or sell plants be extremely careful in their inspection of the products before they are shipped or sold.

Hawai'i has suffered too often through exposure to unwanted and alien species. It is crucial that both the state and private parties make every effort to see that this unwanted visitor does not become a permanent resident.