ʻŌhiʻa
ROD
‘Ōhi‘a, the most abundant endemic tree in the state of Hawai‘i, are dying from a fungal disease referred to as “Rapid ‘Ōhi‘a Death" (ROD). Based on recent and ongoing aerial surveys in 2019, more than 175,000 acres of forest contain ʻōhiʻa showing symptoms of ROD disease on the Island of Hawaiʻi.
Rapid 'Ōhi'a Death
Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death (ROD) has been found on Hawai‘i Island, Kaua‘i, Maui, and O‘ahu. ROD is comprised of two pathogens, Ceratocystis lukuohia and Ceratocystis huliohia. The more aggressive species of fungus causing ROD, C. lukuohia, accounts for roughly 90% of detections on Hawaiʻi Island. The less aggressive species, though still fatal fungus Ceratocystis huliohia has also been detected on Maui and Oʻahu. Hundreds of thousands of ‘ōhi‘a have died from this fungus on Hawai‘i Island alone.