They're found along many hiking trails and roadways throughout the state.

Strawberry guava trees were brought to Hawaii in 1825, but scientists say this invasive species has slowly been destroying our native forests.

The US Forest Service is seeking state permission to release an insect that'll attack strawberry guava trees throughout the state.

There's no doubt why people enjoy coming to Waahila Ridge.

This state recreational area at the top of St. Louis Heights Drive is so close to the city, yet so far away.

Here, among the native animals and plants, you will also find strawberry guava trees, and lots of them.

"It's considered one of the worst invaders plant invaders in Hawaii. It can invade the native forest on its own. The fruits get spread by birds and pigs and develops into thickets so dense that it excludes all the other native species. So over time it can transform a native forest into nothing but strawberry guava," said Dr. Tracy Johnson, US Forest Service Research Entomologist.

Johnson believes the Brazilian insect "Tectococcus ovatus" is the solution.

"It forms galls deformations of the plant leaf. So the plant doesn't grow as fast and the energy is going into form galls instead of new leaves flowers and fruit so the plant is less able to reproduce," said Johnson.

Johnson says the insect will only attack strawberry guava -- nothing else, including its closest relative, the common guava.

"It's based on testing we've done in Hawaii and in Brazil," said Johnson.

But not everyone is for this particular solution.

"I have a 67-acre nature preserve on the Big Island in the Puna Coast and I have tons of them. And my horses eat them, sheep and goats eat them, and we eat them, and the wild pigs eat them. So if you have strawberry guavas in your back yard that you like to eat, or have because they're pretty or like the wood, you're going to be affected by this," said Big Island resident Sydney Ross Singer.

But Johnson says this is the best solution and something needs to be done before it's too late.

"It's destroying the native ecosystems which are extraordinary in Hawaii, native forests are unlike anyplace in the world. So they're special and we need to protect them," said Johnson.

The State Agriculture Department's Plant Quarantine Branch is accepting public comments on this topic through next week Friday.