The county is providing one-time spray treatments to property owners for coqui frog control. Â The program assists owners with a spray treatment by the county crew with a 400-gallon trailer sprayer.
Owner permission is required before services can be performed, so the county is responding to owner requests only.
The state Department of Agriculture sees the frog as a threat to the Hawaii environment, and is participating in a multi-agency campaign to stop the spread of the coqui in Hawaii.Â
The coqui is a small light-brown to dark-colored frog with variable patterns including a light stripe down the middle of its back. Adult frogs measure up to two inches.
The mating call of the male coqui is similar to a two-note bird-like chirp or whistle, which starts at dusk and may continue throughout the night. Females do not vocalize. Â
The noise levels have been measured at up to 80-90 decibels, comparable to that produced by a lawnmower.
It is widely assumed that the frogs arrived in potted plant material from the mainland or its native Puerto Rico.
At least one group on the Big Island is on the other side of the frog wars and does not believe eradication is the answer. The Coqui Hawaiian Integration and Reeducation Project, or C.H.I.R.P., run a 60-acre sanctuary for frogs in Puna.Â
For further information or to request a spray treatment, call 961-8065.
— Find out more:
College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources: www.ctahr.hawaii.edu/coqui/
Coqui Hawaiian Integration and Reeducation Project: www.hawaiiancoqui.org