Crews on Maui still on lookout for snake
Crews will continue searching today for a snake sighted in Lahaina a week ago and believed to be at least a foot long.
The state Department of Agriculture said it is unclear what type of snake was spotted, but a witness described it as gray.
He saw the snake last Monday as it was on a rock wall in Wahikuli Village, a residential neighborhood.
The Maui News reported that the man reported the sighting to the state on Tuesday and was not interviewed until Wednesday, as a translator was needed.
In addition to setting traps on Friday, the state asked residents to be on the lookout for the snake.
Teya Penniman, manager of the Maui Invasive Species Council, said snake traps that were set out Friday will remain for at least 14 more days. Crews are also expected to continue periodic searching during the next two weeks, she said.
No traces of the snake have been found yet.
The snake is being treated as possibly venomous as no positive species identification was made.
Penniman said that makes a search more difficult because those looking for the snake must work more slowly.
She also said searching in a residential community is hard because there are so many places for small creatures to hide.
Anyone who spots the snake is asked to call the state's toll-free invasive-species hot line at 643-7378. Residents should not approach the snake, officials said.