Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death

Maui Waena Intermediate School | Kahului, HI

A new fungal pathogen known as Rapid ‘Ōhi’a Death was identified on Hawaii Island in 2014. The fungus attacks and can quickly kill ‘Ōhi’a trees, which are endemic to Hawaii and comprise approximately 80% of Hawaii’s native forests. Students at Maui Waena Intermediate School report on how this new disease is threatening the biological function and cultural legacy of the Ōhi’a tree.

Produced by Maria Inong, Alexis Viloria, Logan Tsukiyama, Hannah Okamoto, Samantha Della, and Czerena Bayle at Maui Waena Intermediate School in Kahului, HI. Instruction provided by SRL Connected Educator Jennifer Suzuki.

Visit Student Reporting Labs on YouTube for closed captioning.

See the full series: America the Beautiful