From a press release Wednesday (July 24):

The state Department of Transportation is working with the state Department of Health to stop the spread of a mosquito that can be a transmitter of dengue fever. Beginning today, July 24, 2013, and continuing throughout the week, state crews will be removing bromeliads currently in planters along the H-1 Freeway near the Honolulu International Airport. One lane on the H-1 Freeway eastbound is scheduled to be closed from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m., for the next several days.

“Although the bromeliads helped to beautify the freeway near the airport, DOT is following the DOH’s recommendation to remove the plants. We have been advised that without the bromeliads, the freeway acts as a barrier to stop the spread of mosquitoes and any disease they may be carrying,” said DOT Director Glenn M. Okimoto.

Last year the Aedes aegypti mosquito was found at the Honolulu International Airport. Since then the DOT has implemented DOH recommendations to reduce mosquito infestation. These actions include trimming back trees, plants, and vegetation, reducing standing water, and working with airport vendors to reduce or eliminate areas where mosquitoes may breed.

Four times in the last year, DOH has discovered the dengue fever mosquito at the airport,” said Gary Gill, DOH deputy director of environmental health. “This mosquito has not been found on Oahu for more than half a century. We need to take action now to prevent the Aedes aegypti from breeding and spreading to the rest of the island.”

Courtesy www.bluewaikiki.com.

—Chad Blair