Ohia trees are dying rapidly, Why?

[Jimbo2017]

Gypsy - I am learning about this stuff, too! It is best when people can get the right stories and info to each other. Dr. Friday has been at lots of meetings that I have seen, and he was probably right years ago when he was sure that no fungus or beetles were known to kill Ohia, but he should have been able to say that new diseases and pests are always a possibility here, sadly. Hopefully he has also learned some new information! One tree extension agent for how diverse the Big Island is, is not enough scientist to go around, that's for sure!

I haven't heard of the connections between tree die-off and human health, but it might make a good correlation because the things that destroy forests will change the ecology of an area. Either the causes can also affect humans (smog / dust connected to urbanization can weaken trees), then when the trees die, the local system will get drier and more apt to change... Just thinking about the connections...

Mauka Hilo-side