County renews voluntary compliance order to stop spread of coconut rhinoceros beetle

The County of Hawaiʻi is renewing a voluntary compliance order for parts of West Hawaiʻi to halt the movement of host materials for the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle.

This voluntary order, effective through Jan. 31, 2026, is in place while the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity drafts interim rules for Hawaiʻi Island.

“Stopping the coconut rhinoceros beetle requires all of us working together,” said Mayor Kimo Alameda. “By preventing the movement of host materials, we can contain this invasive species and ensure its eradication before it gets out of hand on our island.”

To stop the spread of the coconut rhinoceros beetle, residents and business operators in this area are asked not to transport host materials, which include:

• Decomposing plant material such as compost, wood or tree chips, and mulch;
• Plant propagation material;
• Other items, such as landscaping material, that are comprised of decomposing organic plant material;
• All live palm plants listed below (excluding un-sprouted seeds)
  • Coconut palm
  • Fountain palm or Chinese fan palm
  • Date palm or Canary Island date palm
  • Loulu
  • Royal palm
  • California fan palm and Mexican fan palm

Residents and business operators within the compliance area who need to dispose of green waste should take the material to designated disposal sites located at the West Hawaiʻi Organics Facility, 71-1111 Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway, and Kealakehe Transfer Station, 74-598 Hale Makai Place.

The facilities, located within the compliance area, heat compost piles to at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit to kill coconut rhinoceros beetle larvae.

Host materials, such as decomposing plant material, can contain coconut rhinoceros beetle eggs, larvae, and adults. Moving such infested materials outside the compliance area could unintentionally spread the beetle far beyond its current range, complicating eradication efforts and hindering control measures.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle primarily targets coconut and other palm species. However, it will feed on other important crops such as ʻulu, banana, and kalo when palm food sources are eliminated.

To minimize the risk of spreading the coconut rhinoceros beetle, residents can take the following steps:

Inspect and Report

• Inspect host materials at least every 4 months, especially finished compost and nearby host palms, for signs of coconut rhinoceros beetle or damage;
• Examine incoming coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials before accepting them to ensure they are not infested;
• Collect any suspected coconut rhinoceros beetle and report findings or visible damage to Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity at 808-643-7378, or the Big Island Invasive Species Committee at 808-933-3340;
• Reports can also be made online at 643pest.org;
• If you cannot inspect host materials, contact the coconut rhinoceros beetle response team at Big Island Invasive Species Committee at 808-679-5244 for assistance.  

Properly Manage Materials

• Chip incoming coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials within 48 hours;
• Properly compost coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials by heating piles to at least 131 degrees Fahrenheit;
• Monitor finished materials at least every 4 months (visual during turnover). Once compost cools to around 110 degrees Fahrenheit, it can be infested and is a good breeding material for coconut rhinoceros beetle;
• Do not stockpile or keep a mound of coconut rhinoceros beetle host material. Routinely distribute around plants or thinly spread up to 4 inches in depth to enable it to dry completely.

Prevent the Spread

• Utilize or process coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that are already on-site for end use, eliminating the need to move potentially infested materials;
• Safeguard coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials that have been properly composted or treated in completely sealed containers made of metal, concrete or glass to prevent entry;
• Ensure host materials are still at acceptable temperatures or are subjected to effective treatment before being transported off site;
• Profume, a restricted use pesticide, is one option for treating certain host materials, such as compost. Call Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity for additional information about the use of this chemical;
• If you receive host materials, ensure it comes from a reputable source that follows Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Best Management Practices. Ask suppliers to provide documentation of their prevention efforts.

For questions about moving host materials, contact Hawaiʻi County Economic Development Specialist Glenn Sako at 808-961-8811.