HILO, Hawai'i — Lawmakers and several dozen volunteers who have been battling coqui frogs across the Big Island announced a package of new proposals yesterday designed to step up the campaign to contain and eradicate the noisy invaders.

One bill in the package for the state Legislature would set aside $2 million in state money to pay for an anti-coqui action plan on the Big Island, and a resolution in the package calls on the federal government to put up money for the coqui eradication effort.

Critics have complained that the state was too late in committing significant resources to the campaign, and now seems to be giving up too early.

Particularly galling to some were suggestions that the coqui may never be eliminated on the Big Island.

A study published last year on the impact of the coqui concluded it is unlikely the 2-inch frog with its loud, whistling call will ever be eradicated from the Big Island and Maui, where hundreds of populations have become established.

In October, state Land Board Chairman Peter Young agreed the coqui will probably never be wiped out on the two islands.

At yesterday's news conference at the County Building in Hilo, state Rep. Clifton Tsuji, D-3rd (Hilo, Kea'au, Mountain View) said he is "disappointed" with that conclusion.

"I believe we can conquer this, and I believe you believe it, too," he told the volunteers. "This is not an impossible dream, this is Mission Possible."

Big Island Mayor Harry Kim told the volunteers he realizes they "still have a lot of frustration with us in government" because of a slow response to an environmental threat that has been building for almost a decade.

"I make no bones about it, I'm sorry we are where we are today," he said.

Big Island lawmakers and county officials said they remain committed to the anti-coqui effort.

Another bill introduced by state Sen. Russell Kokubun, D-2nd (S. Hilo, Puna, Ka'u), would establish a fee on all items imported into the state that might harbor invasive species, with the proceeds from the fee used to pay for inspection, quarantine and eradication programs.

Kokubun also introduced a proposal for a new state special fund financed from airport landing fees and state harbor fees to finance the fight against invasive species.

County officials announced they are providing 10 100-gallon sprayers and 10 400-gallon spray-ers for communities to use to spay lime and citrus solutions to kill the frogs.

Community Coqui grants of up to $5,000 are also being provided to help pay for equipment and chemicals for volunteers.

Reach Kevin Dayton at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com.