HILO, Hawai'i — Invasive- species experts will gather at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park today to report on efforts to manage and control the spread of invasive species in and around national park lands, especially in Hawai'i.

The public is invited to the hearing, which begins at 10 a.m. in the Kilauea Visitor Center auditorium.

The oversight hearing was requested by U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, a ranking member on the national parks subcommittee of the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources.

Invasive species cost the U.S. economy an estimated $138 billion annually, and contribute to habitat degradation and native species decline.

The hearing will assess the current state of the invasive species program within the National Park Service and opportunities and options for dealing with invasive species.

Testimony at the hearing will be by invitation only, but people who want to submit written testimony should send two copies of their testimony to the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources, U.S. Senate, SD-364 Dirksen Senate Office Building, Washington, DC 20510-6150.

The hearing testimony will be available after the hearing at energy.senate.gov.