Ohia trees are dying rapidly, Why?

[pbmaise]

Step 1. Know your enemy.

Maybe Calvatia cyathiformis (the edible purple -spored puffball).
There are about 60 types of fungi that cause fairy rings.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fairy_ring

http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn74100.html


Fungi can deplete the soil of readily available nutrients such as nitrogen , causing plants growing within the circle to be stressed which leads to plant discoloration.

Step 2. Confirm theory
Do not wait for government.
Billions of spores from an invasive fungus are now blowing around the area. They make solving the coqui problem look easy.

Step 3. Experiment saving an Ohia stand
The moment a stand looks stressed try adding more water. Try some nitrogen with water. Consider fungicides with water. (This is totally tongue in cheek, maybe the government has been trying to save the forest from people like you that plant and fertilize the lawn you stand upon whilst your mouth is agape and head fixed upwards unkowningly ignorant you caused the problem .)

Step 4. Eliminate all breeding grounds. How many acres of fertilized lawns existed in Puna 50 years ago versus today? Do you see pool table leveled lots right in the middle of an Ohia forest.

Step 5. Take photographs. That will be all that is left of Ohia trees. The firm policy of the County of Hawaii is absolutely nothing will happen "because we can't be certain of unintended consequences."