The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA) has implemented a new interim rule aimed at curbing the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) within the state. The Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals recommended this rule, which restricts the movement of palm plants and organic materials like compost, wood chips, mulch, and potting soil from CRB-infested areas to non-infested ones.
The interim rule specifically designates O‘ahu as a CRB-infested area. This decision follows previous interim rules issued in June 2022 and October 2023. Sharon Hurd, Chairperson of HDOA, signed the rule, which is effective immediately for one year while a permanent regulation is under consideration by the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture.
Violations of this rule will result in misdemeanor charges with fines ranging from $100 to $10,000. Repeat offenders may face fines between $500 and $25,000 and be responsible for cleanup costs associated with CRB infestations they cause.
HDOA's Plant Quarantine Branch inspectors are focusing on inspecting potential CRB host materials transported between islands. Residents across all islands are urged to inspect mulch, compost, and soil products for signs of beetle activity. An adult beetle measures about two inches long, is black in color with a single horn on its head.
Information on detecting CRB damage can be found at https://www.crbhawaii.org/. Suspected infestations can be reported via the state’s Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378).
Surveillance efforts using pheromone traps continue across neighbor islands at strategic locations such as airports and harbors. These traps are monitored by HDOA alongside island Invasive Species Committees and the University of Hawai‘i.
The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first identified on O‘ahu in 2013 and has since been detected elsewhere in Hawaii including Kaua‘i and Waikoloa on Hawai‘i Island. On Maui's Kīhei area grubs were discovered but not recently detected again.
This pest poses a significant threat to palm trees by boring into their crowns to feed on sap leading potentially to tree death or secondary infections from pathogens entering through wounds made by the beetles.