The early detection "eyes and ears" team can help keep Hawaii free from high risk pests by monitoring their backyard and home areas. Whether you are driving to work, or to the other side of the island to hunt, going to the beach, or just holoholo you can help by keeping an eye out for unusual plants and animals that don't belong.

Get involved by following these simple steps for detecting invasive species.

Investigate it: Take a walk around your neighbohood, drive to a park, visit a friend, or just visit a new place. Early detection begins with looking around for the species on the Hawaii Early Detection Network pest list or download your own copy of the Maui "Eyes and Ears" manual(2 MB PDF) or Kauai "Eyes and Ears" manual(1.2 MB PDF).

Inspect it: Once you've found a plant or animal that looks like a target species, compare it to the description and photos on the Hawaii Early Detection Network priority pest pages or your field "eyes and ears" manual. Don't forget to compare it to the "look alikes" section. Sometimes the species can fool you.

Collect it: If you are unsure about what you've found, it's time to collect it. Learn how to collect pest specimens without causing harm to yourself or the environment.

Report it: Now you are ready to tell someone about your findings. Report your pest online, by phone, or at a walk in location.

Become a certified pest buster. Attend a community workshop or sign-up to schedule one in your area.

• 30 November 2010- Waimea Eyes and Ears Workshop
  free, 10-noon, Waimea Hunters Education Center, 66-1220 D. Lalamilo Road, Waimea, HI
  free, 5-7 p.m., Waimea Community Center, 65-1260 Kawaihae Road, Waimea, HI

• 15 November 2010- Volcano Eyes and Ears Workshop
  free, 2-4 p.m., Cooper Center, Wright Road, Volcano, HI
  free, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Volcano Art Center, 19-4074 Old Volcano Rd., Volcano, HI

• 25 August 2010- Brown treesnake response workshop
  free, 6-9 p.m., Kahului Community Center Annex, 275 Uhu Street Kahului, HI

• 21 July 2010- KISC staff early detection training
  private, 1-3 p.m., KISC office Kapa'a, HI

• 11 February 2010- Little Fire Ant Training for Landscapers and Gardeners
  free, 6-7 p.m., CTHAR multi-purpose room, Maui Community College campus, Building 205, 310 West Kaahumanu Ave., Kahului

• 15 September 2009- Maui County Parks
  free, 12-2 p.m., Waiehu Golf Course, 200 Halewaiu Rd # C, Wailuku

• 26 and 27 August 2009- First Line of Defense- Kahului Harbor
  free, 8-9:30 a.m. and 10:00-11:30, Kahului Harbor Conference Rooms, 103 Ala Luina St, Kahului

• 19 May 2009- What's in my backyard? Invasive Plants/Animals of Hana/Nahiku/Kipahulu
  free, 5-7:30 p.m., Hana Community Center, 5091 Uakea Rd., Hana

• 26 May 2009- What's in My backyard? Invasive Plants/Animals of Central Maui
  free, 5-7:30 p.m., CTHAR multi-purpose room, Maui Community College Campus, Kahului

  Schedule your training to be a Hawaii Early Detection Network "eyes and ears" team member. Call 808-984-3716 or write to reportapest-maui@lists.hawaii.edu for more information or to schedule a presentation for your school or community group. Sign-up for the next training with this online form.