‘We must take action now’: Science talk story at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum all about coconut rhinoceros beetle

An invasive insect that could have widespread ramifications if left to spread out of control on the Big Island — from possibly disrupting its agriculture to threatening its economic stability — is making inroads on the island’s west side, gaining territory moving down the Kona Coast.

Coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected on the Big Island in early October 2023 when several large grubs, or larvae, were discovered in a rotting palm tree stump at a residence in Waikōloa Village.

There have since been a total of 612 adult beetles and 411 larvae found on the island, the most recent an adult beetle that was trapped and reported shortly before 7:30 a.m. Thursday, June 4, near Hualālai Golf Course in North Kona.

Those are the most up-to-date Big Island numbers per the online Hawai‘i Island Community CRB Traps Dashboard, which is maintained by Big Island Invasive Species Committee.

“The coconut rhinoceros beetle has made its way to Waikōloa and is spreading down the Kona Coast on Big Island!” wrote Hawai‘i Keiki Museum in a recent Instagram post inviting community members to the next talk story the evening of Friday, June 5, as part of its Island Science Lecture Series.

Tonight’s event — presented by Kona Science Café and Hawai‘i Keiki Museum — is all about the bothersome beetle.

“We must take action now to prevent it from destroying our natural resources!” the museum wrote.

Interestingly, where the most recent adult coconut rhinoceros beetle was captured is a mere 13 miles south and west from the museum in Waikōloa and not far from the coastline.

The farthest south the beetle has spread on or near the west coast of the island is to the Kona Point area, south of Keauhou.

So within about a little more than 2 and a half years the invasive insect spread between 34 and 43 miles southwest from where it was first found.

The talk story starts at 5 p.m. at Hawai‘i Keiki Museum at Kings’ Shops, located at 69-250 Waikōloa Beach Road, in Waikōloa.

Admission is free and the talk story is open to the public. Wine and pupus also will be served.

Sibley Barnette with Big Island Invasive Species Committee will be the featured speaker.

“Join us on Friday to hear what the Big Island Invasive Species Committee is doing about the coconut rhinoceros beetle that is threatening palm trees statewide — and what you can do to help,” the museum wrote in its Instagram post.

The invasive species committee recently hosted a coconut rhinoceros beetle training session with Hui Aloha Kīholo that might provide some further insight into some of the topics Barnette could and will likely discuss tonight in Waikōloa.

The West Hawai‘i nonprofit dedicated to protecting, perpetuating and enhancing the cultural and natural landscape of Kīholo Bay learned about:

• The coconut rhinoceros beetle interim rule approved March 24 by Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. It restricts transportation of coconut rhinoceros beetle host materials from and within the designated infested area in North Kona.
• How coconut rhinoceros beetle spreads.
• What to look for in impacted palms.
• Simple but important practices that can help prevent further spread throughout North Kona while allowing residents and other members of the public to safely continue the work they do in our spaces along the coastlines.

“Protecting our ʻāina takes all of us working together, sharing knowledge and staying informed,” wrote Hui Aloha Kīholo in an Instagram post after its coconut rhinoceros beetle training with Big Island Invasive Species Committee. “We’re grateful for opportunities like this that help strengthen community stewardship and mālama for the places we love.”

Everyone is encouraged to come out for tonight’s science talk story at Hawai‘i Keiki Musuem.

No matter what, be sure to visit the coconut rhinoceros beetle information page on the Big Island Invasive Species Committee website to learn more about the invasive insect and ongoing prevention efforts.