HONOLULU (KHON2) — State experts are working on controlling the invasive coqui frog population on Oahu before it gets out of hand.

Department of Land and Natural Resources crews and volunteers have spent each week since the summer months of 2024 in an attempt to capture frogs by hand.

To do so, they have to explore more than 10 acres of land at night when the frogs are most likely to appear.

The main challenge, however, is that the search area is in the mountains where experts believe up to a thousand coqui frogs live.

Ryan Chang from DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife said they are finding coqui frogs at all life stages in Waimanalo from eggs to froglets to adult frogs.

“We’re finding really large frogs that have been out there for a very long time, munching on all the insects. There’s an abundant food source in Waimanalo, so they’re prolific,” Chang added.

Besides the noise, experts said coqui frogs eat lots of native bugs, which can disrupt other animals in Hawaii’s ecosystem.

More coqui frog problems are also rising in Palolo and Kuliouou.

Those who are interested in helping tackle Waimanalo’s coqui frog infestation can volunteer with the DLNR.