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and pulled up by the roots. In rare cases herbicide may need to be used,such as when it grows out of cracks in solid rock. 2) Christmasberry trees: These trees(native to Brazil)preferentially grow in the soil around native 'ohi'a trees,and soon kill these trees by choking off the'ohi'a roots and stealing nutrients. The'ohi'a tree roots are essential for the survival of rare lava tube adapted insect fauna that populate lava tubes. The roots grow into lava tubes where they form the basic food source for these animals. Christmasberry will be removed by chainsaw cutting,and herbicide applied directly to the fresh cuts. Herbicide application will be minimal and targeted only to the cut Christmasberry trunks. 3) Silver oak: These trees grow rapidly and outcompete ohi'a and other native trees and vegetation. Its control has similar benefits to controlling Christmasberry. Silver oak,like Christmasberry,will be removed by chainsaw cutting and herbicide applied directly to the fresh cuts. 4) Haole koa: This is a fast growing and fast spreading low tree that has covered large parts of South and North Kona. It forms dense stands with many trunks from 6 to 10 feet high that make walking and hiking very difficult and obstructs vision. It quickly crowds out native vegetation. Once established it is exceedingly difficult to control. It will be trimmed to the ground by loppers,and if necessary,chainsaw, with herbicide applied to the cuts. There will need to be follow-up about two weeks later in haole koa areas to spray herbicide on leafy shoots that sprout from the vigorous roots. 5) Pluchea(sourbush): This fast growing invasive produces many seeds that spread in the wind. It is widespread,and in some areas forms dense,tangled thickets that crowd out and absorb nutrients needed by native plants. It is also an obstruction to hikers,and makes the land hard to traverse. All of it can't be removed as it has become too widespread. It will be removed where necessary by hand- pulling,clipping or lopping with herbicide application to the cut. 6) Lantana: This shrub grows into thorny,impenetrable thickets. It obstructs foot traffic,and can make large areas unusable. Part 2: Biological Survey As mentioned above,very little is known about life forms adapted to life in lava tubes in Hawaii. They are chiefly supported by tree roots that grow into the lava tubes.The most common tree roots in the lava tubes are those of'ohi'a trees,and some of the fauna,most commonly insects,cannot use any other plant to live. Past works by Dr.Fred Stone(University of Hawaii,Hilo)and Dr.Frank Howarth (Bishop Museum)have discovered a number of lava tube adapted species,including some in Ka'u. The CCH proposes to invite the consulting group HICAVE lead by Dr.Megan Porter,a professor at the University of Hawaii at Manoa,to conduct biological surveys and inventories of between 20 and 30 lava tubes from the coast to the mauka limit of the land unit. Based on studies in other areas of Hawaii island,Kahuku lava tubes probably have previously unknown lava tube ecosystems with rare lava-tube- adapted insects.The potential of identifying new species is also high. The biological surveys will be done over five days of field work and followed up by laboratory studies.The project requires a biological collecting permit from the State of Hawaii,which Dr.Porter already has acquired. The HICAVE team has developed extensive research expertise in Hawaiian lava tubes over the past five years. This study will expand knowledge of Hawaii's natural history,and create a knowledge base that will be useful in developing a management plan for the Kahuku Coastal property.