Although the science of plant pathology is well represented in Hawai‘i, its emphasis is on diseases of economically important crops (i.e., sugarcane, pineapple, papaya). Native forest species are of ecological importance, but their diseases have received less attention than have agriculturally oriented problems. Several forest diseases have been, or are currently under investigated as indicated below. (Note: Diseases caused by rust fungi are discussed on a separate page).
Diseases:
Diseases and associated fungi of koa (Acacia koa)
Mamane (Sophora chrysophylla) witches'-broom
Decline (wilt) of koa (Acacia koa)
Exobasidium disease of ‘ohelo (Vaccinium reticulatum)
Elsinoe leaf spot of ‘ohelo (V. reticulatum)
Septoria leaf spots of ‘ohelo (V. reticulatum) and tree ‘ohelo (V. calycinum)
Concentric necrotic ringspot of ‘akala (Rubus hawaiensis)
Septoria leaf spot of Canavalia kauensis, a native Hawaiian bean
Botryosphaeria leaf spot of mamaki (Pipturus albidus)
Phellinus conk (P. kawakamii) on koa
Phyllachora cibotii on tree fern (Cibotium glaucum)
Powdery mildew (Brasiliomyces setosus) on soapberry (Sapindus oahuensis)
Eriophyid mite galls of lama (Diospyros spp.) and Broussaisia arguta