The Hawaiian Islands are home to many endangered species. Why do you think the Hawaii Department of Agriculture is so strict about allowing nonnative species onto the islands?

Hawaii’s native species evolved in isolation, so they may have few defenses against introduced competitors. A nonnative species can use the same food or habitat as a native species and outcompete it, potentially driving it to extinction. Therefore, the best choice is that a foreign species could compete with a native species and drive it to extinction.

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