The U.S. Department of the Interior, at the behest of U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, has directed $497,000 in federal funding to help combat rapid ohia death in Hawaii.

Schatz had requested the funding to help stem the spread of the fungal disease responsible for killing tens of thousands of acres of native forest on Hawaii island.

Department of Land and Natural Resources Chairwoman Suzanne Case applauded the move.

“This funding from the Interior Department leverages another $673,000 of in-kind federal donations to suppress rapid ohia death which could have enormous biological, economic, social and cultural repercussions for the state,” Case said today. “We’re extremely appreciative to Sen. Schatz, and the departments of Interior and Agriculture for recognizing that this disease presents an enormous biosecurity risk to Hawaii.”

According to DLNR officials, rapid ohia death threatens the state’s tropical forests and other ecosystems and could jeopardize local water supplies and the local economy.

The funding immediately activates an early detection rapid response team, made up of federal and state agencies, and a consortium of scientists who will continue conducting field surveys for the disease and support critical research to pioneer adaptive treatments.