Customer Reviews

Panic in Paradise: Invasive Species Hysteria and the Hawaiian Coqui Frog War

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Coqui frogs have RUINED the peace and quiet of East Hawaii. Coquis produce a noise that is often as loud as 90 decibles, non-stop from dusk until dawn. It is far from the beautiful song that the authors claim. The noise is so loud that you can not even hear the television without blaring it at a ridiculous volume.

The problem is getting worse and worse every year. In some areas the frogs even chirp during the day when it is cloudy.

Many of us would do ALMOST ANYTHING to rid Hawaii of this pest. I find it ridiculous that the authors brush off the noise problem with comments like "some people don't like the noise" or by saying that it is "unscientific" to "subjective" to compare the frog noise to a lawnmower or a table saw.

I also find it insulting for the authors to suggest that those who can not tolerate the constant 90 decible noise are just negative thinkers who choose to be annoyed by the sound. Like WE are the problem, not the frogs.

In a climate where residents must keep their windows open year round this situation is simply not tolerable to most people. The constant extremely loud noise is robbing us of our quality of life.

If you buy this book, recognize that you are getting an extreme minority viewpoint on the subject.

Interesting topic but very little attention to actual science, studies on the coqui or understanding of the Hawaiian native ecosystem and ignorant to how detrimental coquis can be. I do agree that people did freak out much more than other invasives. Ask locals what Banana Poke or any other of the countless invasive spp. and they will give u a blank look but people can hear the frog so boom hatred. But on the up side coquis did raise invasive spp awareness.

The authors are profiting off the controversy and have no education to back up their statements. There are actual scientists who devote their lives to protecting the environment. Syd Singer stands in the way of making progress in controlling invasive species in Hawaii. He is a "spin doctor" dare I call him a doctor, and profits off nonsense. He is also trying to protect strawberry guava one of Hawaii's most invasive plants. This plant DESTROYS native habitats. After 10 years of research a scale insect was found to control this plague and is species specific. Syd does a great job of playing on the fears of others. If something is not done to control these invasive species, Hawaii will be completely smothered. In their natural habitat these alien species are controlled by parasites. In Hawaii there is no stopping them because the parasites do not exist here. This book is science fiction and the authors are more like religious fanatics than scientists. Some advice for the authors, get a real education and then write a book. You are standing in the way of real progress for the environment. The one star is for the humor the authors are unaware they are producing.

The authors have done an excellent job exposing the flaws in the "coqui war" that has led to more environmental destruction than the "invasive species" it was intended to destroy. Hawaii's government and media have demonized a tiny frog that is beloved wherever it exists and have ignored many other, far worse "invasive" species. The authors put forth plausible explanations for this irrational behavior. Hopefully this little book will help Hawaiians to have some "aloha" when it comes to this peaceful little amphibian that wants nothing more than to coexist with humans and other organisms that love their new island home.

WOW! Great research. Book is packed with great info & facts the STATE & County don't want you to know. I live & farm on the Big Island in "Coqui central" (Puna) and I know these frogs provide a valuable service by consuming mosquitos, termites, fire ants even coqui eggs, they provide their own population control! Mr & Mrs Singer write with terrific humor & understanding of the subject matter.