Officials address coconut rhinoceros beetle threat in Big Island community meeting

As the threat of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle grows, state and county leaders are preparing to lead a discussion with the community in a meeting next week.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first discovered on the Big Island in early October 2023 when a resident of Waikōloa found six coconut rhinoceros beetle larvae in a decaying palm tree stump on their property.

Adult beetles are reported to prefer coconut palms along with royal, date and fan palms. They feed on the growing spear of palm trees using their horns and spiny legs to dig into the crown, causing significant and potentially fatal damage. That damage also can leave the tree susceptible to disease.

However, if their primary food sources are not available, the beetles will feed on other palms and tropical crops, including bananas, sugarcane, pineapple, taro, hala, papaya and the endangered native Hawaiian palm loulu.

All of these tropical plants are important to the state’s agricultural industry, and taro, hala and the loulu also have significant importance in Native Hawaiian culture.

Elected officials will be joined by representatives of the Big Island Invasive Species Committee; the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Biosecurity Division; the Department of Land and Natural Resources Invasive Species Division; the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources; and the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture to discuss the increasingly detrimental issue during a virtual community meeting next Wednesday.

The meeting will raise awareness of coconut rhinoceros beetle detection and encourage residents to sign up for free backyard surveys.

“The coconut rhinoceros beetle poses a serious risk to our environment and economy,” said Sen. Richards. “Our goal with this community meeting is to strengthen our response to protect our state’s agriculture.”

Elected officials set to attend include:

• State Sen. Herbert M. “Tim” Richards III (District 4, North Hilo, Hāmākua, Kohala, Waimea, Waikōloa, North Kona)
• State Sen. Dru Mamo Kanuha (Senate District 3 – Kona, Kaʻū, Volcano)
• State Rep. Kirstin Kahaloa (House District 6 – Hōnaunau, Nāpoʻopoʻo, Captain Cook, Kealakekua, Keauhou, Holualoa, Kailua-Kona)
• State Rep. Nicole E. Lowen (House District 7 – Kailua-Kona, Honokōhau, Kalaoa, Puʻuanahulu, Puakō, portion of Waikōloa)
• State Rep. David A. Tarnas (House District 8 – Hāwī, Halaula, Waimea, Makahalau, Waikīʻi, Waikōloa, Kawaihae, Māhukona)
• Hawaiʻi County Councilmember James E. Hustace (Hawaiʻi County District 9 – Kohala, portions of Waimea)

The public is invited to tune in to the virtual discussion, which will begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday, April 2, over Zoom. Registration is required for the meeting, which can be accessed at https://senate-capitol-hawaii-gov.zoom.us/meeting/register/azqsJhUfSquW65dK2JBBXQ

For more information on the virtual meeting, call 808-586-6760.