CGAPS identifies priority gaps and spearheads or provides support to fill or bridge these gaps in Hawaii’s biosecurity programs.  Here is a sampling of our accomplishments:

• 1996 The first statewide public awareness and attitude survey on invasive species; subsequent benchmark surveys
• 1997 Planned and conducted the first public awareness campaign on invasive species, called, “Stop the Silent Invasion,” which included television commercials and specials, print ads, dramatic pamphlets, and community weed pulling trips for Operation Miconia
• 1999-2001 Assisted the formation and staffing of the Invasive Species Committees (ISCs)—grassroots partnerships on each island that work together to direct dedicated field crews and outreach staff, adding capacity to work across jurisdictions and property lines to focus on early detection and control or eradication of high-risk invasive species that may otherwise become established.
• 2000 Conducted a Statewide Box Needs Matrix which used focus groups of state, federal, and NGO invasive species experts to discuss what additional resources were needed to adequately address different types of invasive species, in the areas of prevention, early detection/rapid response, and long-term control.
• 2003 Provided information and support for the formation of the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, as a mechanism to engage executive level department heads of key agencies, regardless of changes in administrations.
• 2004-2008 Planned and launched a new Silent Invasion campaign. Conducted focus groups and a new baseline survey and follow up survey to explore public sentiment on current invasive species issues, then produced and conducted the campaign with television, radio, and print media, and direct public outreach by staff.
• 2009 Strategic planning and creation of the 2009 CGAPS Vision and Action Plan, the first since CGAPS formation in 1995.
• 2010-present  Selected as a partner by Hau`oli Mau Loa Foundation, a private grantmaking foundation whose mission includes promoting stewardship, preservation, and protection of the natural environment.  These annual projects are focused on improving our ability to prevent invasive species from arriving and becoming established.
• 2012 Launched the Plant Pono website (www.plantpono.org), the portal for the Hawaiʻi-Pacific Weed Risk Assessment service and database, which provides a “background check” on plant species with an assessment of whether they are a “high risk” for becoming invasive in Hawaiʻi, or a “low risk”.
• 2013 With support from the Hau`oli Mau Loa Foundation and in partnership with the University of Hawaiʻi Foundation and the William S. Richardson School of Law, CGAPS started an Environmental Legal Fellows program and hired its first two legal fellows.  Hau`oli Mau Loa Foundation funds also allowed CGAPS to add an additional staff to focus on outreach on invasive plants. Bringing the current number of staff to 4.