Singing Tree Frogs on Lava Rock (standard:non fiction, 1150 words)
Author: Juggernaut	Added: Oct 15 2012	Views/Reads: 2557/1909	Story vote: 0.00 (0 votes)
Coquis or Tree Frogs on the Big Island is a big noise nuisance. This invasive species from Puerto Rico took over all the trees on Puna side of the Big Island, while the residents got used to the singing chorus from 6 PM to 6 AM, for visitors not used thi

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this area, besides some invasive trees like albizia that well suited 

for the local climate, the only useful trees appears to be were banana, 

papaya, avocado and guava, though the fruit production on these trees 

was poor due to lack of abundant nutrient supply. The deep rooted 

forest trees survive and grow into humongous size on lava rock; most 

farmers in the area are subsistence farmers selling their produce in 

local farmer's market. 

Supplying plant nutrients is a challenge to the fruit trees 

such as mango, guava, oranges, avocados etc., in rainforest area. 

Because of heavy rainfall and very thin top soil, added fertilizers 

leach very fast through lava rock. Split soil application of 

fertilizers or foliar applications were also ineffective due to heavy 

and frequent rain showers. Growing fruit trees in the rainforest area 

could only for marginal production.  On the other hand, anthuriums and 

other flowers are grown profitably under artificial canopy to protect 

from intense rain. 

Worldwide in general, the soils developed over volcanic rocks 

are rich in readily available nutrients and support wide varieties of 

crops if the rainfall is ideal. One viable option for the farmers in 

Puna area is to use the fast growing cane grass to raise animals such 

as lamb, goat and even cattle. The market for meat products from grass- 

fed animals is ever growing; by marketing grass-fed meat products with 

labels like “Hawaii grass fed lamb chops,” Hawaii grass fed goat 

cheese.” Hawaii grass fed beef,” local farmers can expand their 

businesses beyond selling their produce at local farmers markets. The 

meat processing industry if developed on the island would alleviate 

chronic unemployment among the locals. 

Nevertheless, the area is still good for living with lots of 

liquid sunshine and fresh produce sold at farmer's market if one can 

bear the nightly high pitch sounds of tree frogs. They usually rest 

during the day and as the evening comes they start with typical noisy 

choruses. The chorus is interrupted by some intervals of silence during 

heavy rain showers during the night. If one can adapt to the nightly 

singing tree frogs on lava rock and constant downpours, the southeast 

of the Big Island is livable. 

“Say you are from Iowa,” asked a local at the hot pond outside 

Pahoa. 

“Yes,” replied Juggernaut. 

“So the Coquis bothering your sleep, yeah” 

“Very much so, I can't sleep at all during the nights when the 

Coquis start signing in harmony with other Coquis.” 

“Well, you have to get adapt to the noisy nights.” 

“How about biological control of Coqui population on the 

Island?” 

“How?” 

“Well, let some garden snakes in to feed on these frogs.” 

“No, no, the last time we did this to control the rats on the 

island, mongooses were brought in and see what happened, the rats went 

underground and we were stuck with over population of mongoose going 

after bird nests.” 

“It is different with snakes, the snakes would keep the frogs 

and mongoose in check, sure they are threat to birds but in a balanced 

ecology, there is a place for every species, what we have in the Big 

Island is an artificial situation where invasive trees and frogs were 

let loose without biological control for too long and this lead to the 

current situation; the USDA and Parks and Recreation department with 

local University staff should able to implement a program that do not 

threaten the local ecology and yet control invasive species both plants 

and animals.” 

“If you can live at below freezing temperature for days in 

stretch in winter you can live with singing frogs here, yeah,” the 

local looked at Juggernaut for an answer. 

“Colorful birds, monkeys and non-poisonous snakes would bring a 

balance to the ecology on the Big Island. I love the liquid sunshine 

but not the nightly noise,” Juggernaut was affirmative. 

Every evening starts with Coqui concert while Juggernaut looked 

helpless at the trees. After listening to Coquis night after night, he 

decoded their lyrics as follows: 

We Are the Lava Rock Stars 

We sing in harmony 

Every tree is a free concert hall 

We sing 12 hours non-stop from 6  to 6 

No R&B, Rock, rap, reggae or calypso 

We sing pure Coqui Puerto Rican Style 

We are the rock stars 

Singing from trees on Lava rock 


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