In 1917, botanist Joseph Rock introduced albizia to Hawai‘i for reforestation. Now it has infested thousands of acres in O‘ahu and eastern Hawai‘i Island

Introduced to Hawaii in 1917 as a solution for reforestation, the Albizia tree quickly established itself as an invasive species. By 2018, infestations had spread over vast areas on Oahu and Hawaii Island, threatening homes and infrastructure. What was once a poster child for rapid growth has transformed into a significant concern. Current management efforts emphasize targeted control alongside research into biological control options.