Rapid ’Ōhi’a Death: The Disease That’s Killing Native Hawaiian Trees : NPR
▻http://www.npr.org/2016/04/07/473384008/rapid-hia-death-the-disease-thats-killing-native-hawaiian-trees
The disease, called Rapid ’#Ōhi'a Death, was first spotted on the eastern side of the Big Island. In an area called “Ground Zero,” scientists observe land that was once lush, green rain forest. It’s now barren, littered with dead trees.
“Out of hundreds of trees that we’re looking at, maybe two or three of the ’ōhi’a trees still have leaves on them,” says J.B. Friday, an extension forester with the University of Hawaii and one of scientists in the group. “It’s heartbreaking for people who knew what this forest was 10 years ago.”