Fire ants disrupt Hawai’i road development work

Fire ants. Image by Marufish / CC BY-SA 2.0

The construction of a new road on the eastern side of Hawai’i the Big Island has been delayed due to fire ants. The new 8-mile roadway will connect Highway 130 to Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, easing traffic problems caused by the lava flow of June last year. But the fire ants, which are an invasive species on the island, will have to be dealt with before construction crews reach Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, which has so far remained free of the pest. The construction crews have slowed their work to ensure the materials and equipment don’t inadvertently introduce the ants into the park. Read more: westhawaiitoday.com