The war against the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle continues to rage on, with the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) spearheading the charge. Efforts to curb the spread of the voracious pest have escalated on Hawai‘i Island, where more than 700 palm trees have undergone treatment since January 2025. The mission at the forefront is to prevent the CRB from securing a stronghold on the island, following initial detections in Waikoloa back in October 2023, according to the Office of the Governor.
In a collaborative effort featured by the Office of the Governor recent reports, various state and county agencies and organizations have stepped up their game. This includes the encounter of Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture’s Plant Pest Control Branch with the County of Hawai‘i Public Works Department and the state Department of Transportation encircling 220 palm trees with yellow tape to signify they have been treated at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport (KOA). The vigilant treatment program also extends beyond Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport where other locations, like Waikoloa Village and Honokōhau Small Boat Harbor and Marina, have witnessed similar coconut rhinoceros beetle crackdowns.
It's not just palm trees under watch—Hawai‘i agriculture inspectors on Maui are also checking potting soil and organic material from O‘ahu to help stop the spread of pests. Similar efforts are happening on O‘ahu and Kaua‘i, not just Hawai‘i Island. Everyone across the islands is being asked to check their compost and mulch for signs of coconut rhinoceros beetles and report any sightings, as per the Office of the Governor.
The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture doesn’t take these invasive beetles lightly and, for added measure, palm trees near Maui's airport and harbor will soon enter the treatment phase to establish a barrier, with the hope that coconut rhinoceros beetle won't glide into these critical entry points. Community vigilance is crucial and those spotting potential coconut rhinoceros beetles, especially in areas previously untouched by the pest, are urged to reach out to Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture using the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline at 808-973-PEST (7378), as reported by the Office of the Governor.
