Responding to Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD)

Since its initial detection in 2012, Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) has killed millions of ʻōhiʻa trees. It is caused by two non-native fungal pathogens, Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. C. lukuohia is recently introduced to Hawai’i (i.e., within the last 25 years) and is the more virulent fungus, killing trees on Hawaiʻi Island and Kauaʻi. The less virulent and impactful C. huliohia has likely existed in Hawai’i for hundreds of years and has currently been detected on Hawaiʻi Island, Maui, Oʻahu, and Kauaʻi.