By George F. Lee, Star-Bulletin
Hikers give mud the boot using brushes at Waahila Ridge
State Recreation Area, part of a state effort to prevent
alien weed species from spreading into local trails and forests.

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Boot brushes aim
to keep weeds
from state forests

Mud on hikers' boots can carry
seeds from alien plants harmful
to Hawaii's ecosystem

By Lori Tighe
Star-Bulletin

Similar to the custom of removing one's shoes before entering a Hawaii home, the state wants hikers to remove the mud from their boots before entering a trail.

The state's new "Clean Boot Initiative," introduced at Waahila Ridge State Recreation Area yesterday, aims to prevent hikers from dragging in alien weed seeds attached to boot-bottom mud from other trails, states and countries.

The weeds choke out native vegetation and threaten Hawaii's ecosystem.

"It's a big problem," said Michael Wilson, director of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources. "These boot brushes could help save the state millions of dollars over the next decade."

The state spends about $225,000 a year eradicating alien weed species, including miconia, an aggressive, non-native tree that shades and crowds out native plants. Environmentalists fear miconia will destroy Hawaii's native plants, as it has done in Tahiti.

Studies have shown mud scraped off hikers' boots contains seeds that grow alien weeds, said Aaron Lowe, state trails and access specialist.

Lowe's staff, along with prison labor, chop down weed trees, whack weed brush and spray weeds growing in Oahu's 36 forest trails.

Killing weeds is also getting harder, Lowe said. "The public has become much more aware of the watershed and doesn't want the herbicides going into the ground water."

Lowe submitted his boot-brush idea to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, which granted $2,500 to install boot brushes at 12 Oahu trails.

Eventually, the state wants to add the brushes and educational signs at the state's 80 or so forested trails, Wilson said.

Alien weeds have overtaken many Hawaii trails, said John Salmonson, 55, who has hiked the state's trails for more than 25 years and belongs to the Hawaiian Ultra Running Team.

"It's a good idea that makes sense," said Salmonson, who was running Waahila Ridge trail yesterday.

"Before we run the 26-mile Volcano Marathon on the Big Island, rangers scrub your boots because they don't want you to bring alien species to the lava rock."

Fellow runner Kimo Ryan, 33, said he thinks hikers will take the state's cue and wipe their boots before and after hiking.

"I think people will do it. Most people who use the trails respect them."

Covered in mud to her knees, Hope Crenshaw, 52, emerged from hiking Waahila Ridge and came upon the new boot brush and educational sign.

"Just like in Switzerland," she commented, before sweeping her boots.

"Switzerland has these at every trail. The concept is very good," said Crenshaw, a part-time resident there.