Below are  just a few common Invasive Species on Kaua’i.

Removing a thicket of Hau Bush

Hau Bush

These ‘bushes’ can grow to be up to 100 ft. trees, thriving in wet, standing water, or drier terrain. This species spreads by a branch falling over and taking root on the earth, creating a new mother plant. The Hawaiian Dictionary describes Hau as “some spreading horizontally over the ground forming impenetrable thickets,” (p. 60, Pukui, Elbert).

Guinea Grass

Also known as Buffalo Grass, this species can reach up to 15 feet in height, with clumps of dense grass which contain tiny, razor-like spikes on the blades which resemble fiberglass.

When the grass flowers, the seeds blow in the wind, creating more grass wherever they land. This grass can be found in most of the old sugar cane lands on Kaua’i.

Java Plum

Of the largest trees growing in Hawai’i, Java Plum trees grows fast to looming heights. The species takes over by spreading the messy, acidic, grape-shaped plums on the earth below. The plums (and the tree’s leaves) are so acidic that it’s hard for other plants to grow in the surrounding soil. Java Plums can create a canopy so thick it shades the forest from getting light to grow more varieties underneath.

Shredding a field of Guinea Grass

The Problem With Invasive Species

They can cause massive soil erosion. The invasive species grow so dense that they block out the sunlight from reaching the ground below, preventing stabilizing ground cover to root. When no ground cover roots over, the soil is left with bare, loose dirt for chickens and pigs root up, and then heavy rains causing unstable earth that ultimately ends up in Kaua’i’s rivers, streams, and into the ocean.

 Invasive Species choke out native, sustainable plants and inhibit natural diversity in the Hawaiian landscape.

They make gardening and farming a battle.

Solutions to Combat Invasive Species

• Shredding smaller species. Any of the invasive species listed above with trunks 8 inches or less in diameter can be shredded instantly, and be spread as mulch or as ground cover. Up to 24 inches in diameter can be fed into a wood chipper

• Removing larger species. Excavators and other machines can be used to remove the species, the stumps, and the root systems. If the tree is simply cut or bush shredded, it will simply grow back if the roots are not removed.

• Maintenance. After removal, the area can be seeded with grass or some type of ground cover. Once the soil is stabilized, the land is ready for planting.

What are the invasive species where you live?

Before Shredding

Unlike the old way of scraping the ground to clear debris, this tool works just above the soil so as not to upset roots systems of the landscape, which prevents erosion. Once the area is shredded, the mulched debris can remain on the ground as natural (and free!) mulching or ground cover, rather than buying and trucking in mulch for your property.

After Shredding

Our projects over the last few months have been spread across the island and have ranged from reforestation to digging wells to building rock wall terraces. On many of these jobs, the Shredder/Grinder/Chipper/Mulcher has played a large role. Compiled below is a summary of our latest ventures.

North Shore/Pila’a area

In collaboration with the Environmental Protection Agency, the State of Hawai’i and the County of Kaua’i, RYLO completed one phase of an ongoing reforestation project. The tasks included:

• Eradicating invasive species
• Reforesting with native species such as Kukui, Koaia, Kamani and native hibiscus
• Restoring streams to improve water quality, removing stagnant areas, moss and algae

South Shore/Kalaheo

Utility Box Installation

RYLO recently helped a landowner in Kalaheo improve on his epic ocean views and vista of Ni’ihau in the distance by burying the power lines that were in the way.

Teaming up with the County of Kaua’i and Esaki Engineering, RYLO removed the overhead power lines and installed them underground along the County roadway.

Westside/Kekaha and Mana

Two recent RYLO specialized projects on Kaua’i’s westside have included:

• Shredding invasive Kiawe and Hale Koa on an orchard in Mana, to free up the mature Neem trees which reside on the property, allowing them to thrive
• Digging a well, installing a pool and implementing a grass block driveway at a private residence in Kekaha

 Eastside/Upper Kapa’a

Working on a thirty acre property in Kapa’a lately, RYLO worked with clients to transform an overgrown jungle of invasive plants and swamp areas to an oasis with waterfalls and ponds built naturally with stone and supported by native plants, and installed sloping terraces where before was a series of steep hillsides.

Puhi/Central Kaua’i

Currently RYLO is working at the Kaua’i Humane Society helping to add new pavilions to the expanding dog park in Puhi.

Mahalo to our machines, our clients and the land we work with for a productive, innovative last several months. What can the Shredder/Grinder/Chipper/Mulcher do for you?

Please send us your landscaping and construction questions, by clicking > Contact RYLO Corporation