The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture (HDOA), in collaboration with the County of Hawai‘i Public Works Department, has intensified efforts to combat the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) following recent detections in the Kona area.
This proactive partnership has been ongoing since January 2025, with the latest round of treatments successfully completed last week at the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture, affirmed the department’s commitment to halting the CRB’s spread, particularly in areas not known to be infested.
“We truly appreciate the concern and assistance of Mayor Kimo Alameda and the county’s public works crew in providing the resources to prevent CRB from taking hold on Hawai‘i Island,” Hurd stated.
She also expressed gratitude to the various agencies and organizations that tirelessly engage in the ongoing fight against invasive species.
Mayor Alameda echoed these sentiments, highlighting the critical nature of state and county collaboration in combating this invasive species.
“The introduction of the coconut rhinoceros beetle is a major concern, and we are committed to doing everything we can—alongside HDOA and our other partners—to stop its spread,” he said.
The first sign of CRB was recorded in Waikoloa in September 2024 when HDOA Plant Pest Control personnel discovered a single beetle in a trap during their routine monitoring.
This marked the initial detection of CRB on the island since October 2023, when six larvae were found in a decaying palm tree stump.
In response, increased surveillance has been conducted throughout the island, with a particular focus on the Kona side.
In January 2025, the County of Hawai‘i, under Mayor Alameda’s initiative, offered their resources to assist HDOA in curbing CRB.
The county provided a 75-foot boom truck, enabling crews to treat the crowns of palm trees effectively.
On January 14, the team treated a total of 38 palm trees in the Waikoloa area through crown treatments, alongside 24 trees that received an injection system treatment, which offers systemic protection against CRB.
The Pesticides Branch of HDOA was also present to provide assistance.
To date, there have been no further detections of CRB in Waikoloa, a promising sign for ongoing efforts.
On March 3, 2025, the Big Island Invasive Species Committee reported the detection of one adult CRB captured in a trap located along the boundary of the Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport.
The following day, two additional adult CRBs were found in traps at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i.
In response to these detections, HDOA, county crews, and airport staff undertook targeted treatments at the airport over three consecutive days in March.
The county once again provided boom trucks, enabling the treatment of 128 palm trees on the airport grounds, along with the injection of 12 trees that were out of reach for the boom trucks.
Following these interventions, there have been no further CRB detections at the airport.
Most recently, on April 7 and 8, crews began treatment at the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai‘i (NELHA), targeting 58 trees with crown treatments and performing injections on approximately 14 trees due to their proximity to water.
All treated palms have been tagged and encircled with yellow tape to indicate they have received treatment.
Consumption of coconuts from these treated trees is not recommended.
For inquiries regarding pesticide usage, individuals can reach HDOA’s Pesticides Branch at 808-973-9402.
Ongoing surveillance measures for CRB are in effect across Hawai‘i Island, driven by collaboration among HDOA, BIISC, the University of Hawai‘i, the County of Hawai‘i, and the state Department of Health Vector Control Branch.
Residents across all islands are advised to be on high alert when purchasing mulch, compost, and soil products, reminding them to inspect bags for signs of entry holes.
CRB grubs thrive in decomposing plant and animal waste, further emphasizing the need for vigilance.
An adult coconut rhinoceros beetle typically measures about 2-inches in length, features an all-black coloration, and possesses a single horn on its head.
The beetle was first identified in the state of Hawai‘i back in 2013, and subsequent encounters have prompted increased measures to protect the island’s ecosystem from infestation.
image source from：https://mauinow.com/2025/04/15/hdoa-continues-coconut-rhinoceros-beetle-treatments-in-kona/
