Coqui frogs resurface on Kauai after eradication; public urged to report sightings

News admin July 24, 2026 0 Comments

Coqui frogs resurface on Kauai after eradication; public urged to report sightings

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – A small but loud invasive frog that has long plagued parts of Hawaii Island appears to be making a return on Kauai, prompting renewed efforts to keep it from becoming established.

The Kauai Invasive Species Committee (KISC) says it has received seven reports of suspected coqui frog sightings this month. Officials say the reports are spread across multiple locations, suggesting the issue is not limited to a single area.

Native to Puerto Rico, coqui frogs are considered an invasive species in Hawaii. While harmless to people, the male frog’s distinctive call can reach nearly 90 decibels, creating persistent noise that has frustrated residents where the frogs have become established.

The frogs also pose an ecological threat. A single female coqui can lay up to 1,400 eggs each year, allowing populations to grow rapidly. They feed on insects that are an important food source for native birds and other wildlife, potentially disrupting Hawaii’s fragile ecosystems.

Haylin Chock, an outreach associate with the Kauai Invasive Species Committee, said the frogs often arrive unintentionally through the movement of nursery plants and other shipments.

“It’s just with the horticulture industry… There’s a lot of strain on checking every single plant or every single shipping container, every single thing that comes in. So some sneak through,” Chock said.

Because new introductions can be difficult to detect, officials say community reports are one of the most effective tools for stopping infestations before they spread.

“We heavily depend on reports and accurate information and collaborativeness with our community members. Because without that, then we don’t have all of that information that we need to go after them,” Chock said.

Officials are asking anyone who hears what sounds like a coqui frog to report it immediately through Hawaii’s invasive species reporting system. Early detection allows response crews to locate and remove frogs before they establish a breeding population.