State approves expansion of coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area in West Hawaiʻi

Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity on July 28 approved an expansion to the designated coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area in West Hawaiʻi.

The infested area now includes the area between Henry Street, Palani Road and Queen Kaʻahumanu Highway in Kailua-Kona.

Originally, the coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area included Waikōloa Road from Highway 190 to the coast, continuing south to Laʻaloa Avenue, and from the coast to its intersection with Highway 11 to the east. It is the same as the voluntary compliance order area set for the invasive beetle’s host materials renewed in November 2025 by Hawaiʻi County.

A request to include the new area was made following the initial March 24 designation of the West Hawaiʻi infested area.

All organizations, companies or any other person who transports, generates, processes, collects, sells or grows materials that can host coconut rhinoceros beetle breeding sites in the expanded area now also must conduct those activities under a valid compliance agreement issued by Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity.

Completing an about 1-hour training session provided by the Big Island Invasive Species Committee is required as a prerequisite to obtaining a compliance agreement.

Visit the Big Island Invasive Species Committee website to sign up for training.

Contact Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Plant Quarantine Branch Acting Plant Specialist Techie Lancaster by phone at 808-832-0566 or via email at DAB.PQSPEC@hawaii.gov to get additional information about the expanded infested area or permit requirements.

Click here for a coy of Interim Rule 26-1, which established the coconut rhinoceros beetle-infested area on the west side of the island.