CRB Rules for Molokaʻi Adopted!
We did it! Thanks to the incredible tenacity and dedication of the people of Molokaʻi, and the many voices from across the islands that came together in support of their efforts, the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity (BAB) unanimously voted to adopt an interim rule to temporarily ban the import of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) host material to the island, as proposed by ʻAnakala Kunani and ʻAnakē Ipo Nihipali!
With this unprecedented action, the Molokaʻi community now has a fighting chance to protect their ʻāina and ways of life from the devastating impacts of CRB. As the community made clear - and as the BAB and Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals agreed - this is an emergency situation requiring the strongest possible interim protections against the introduction and establishment of CRB on Molokaʻi. Today’s rule will give Molokaʻi much-needed protection, while a longer-term solution is developed and implemented in collaboration with government agencies, researchers, local businesses, and others.
There is no doubt that this achievement marks a rare moment when the government and community finally came together, to draw a bold but necessary line in the sand against the threatened destruction of the niu, cultural practices, native species, food security, and local economy of Molokaʻi, and the cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi as a whole.
However, this is just the first line of defense in the fight to keep Molokaʻi CRB-free. Now, we must all continue to work together to ensure that businesses and property owners honor and respect these rules, and the voices of the Molokaʻi community - and that everyone understands the importance of both grassroots and government action in the all-hands-on-deck fight against CRB and other invasive pests.
Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, mahalo nui loa to all who helped make today’s historic win happen. Sign up to receive action alerts an updates on invasive species newsletter here!
NOTE: Getting here was a journey of collective action. Previous action alerts below:
Mahalo nui loa to everyone who testified, signed the petition, and spread the word to support the Molokaʻi community's request for a temporary rule, to block the import of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) host material to the island.
With your support, the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals recommended that the interim rule proposed by ʻAnakala Kunani and ʻAnakē Ipo Nihipali be presented to the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity (BAB) for final approval - and NOT the watered-down, loophole-ridden alternative rule that had been recommended by the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Plant Quarantine Branch.
We now have one more Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity (BAB) meeting to go, before this proposed rule becomes law, and we give Molokaʻi a fighting chance to get ahead of the devastating impacts threatened by CRB. Please take a moment to submit testimony for the BAB meeting next Tuesday, September 23, and make time to testify verbally at 9 a.m. We are so close - sample testimony and testimony instructions below!
Please take a moment to support the request of the Molokaʻi community, and to urge the BAB to ensure the greatest possible protection of the island, until alternative strategies are identified. Donʻt let Molokaʻi fall to CRB on our watch. Testify today, and don’t forget to spread the word!
Take Action:
1. Submit written testimony by Monday, September 22 at 9 a.m. (if can - later is OK as well).
E-mail to HDOA.PQ.TESTIMONY@hawaii.gov
Subject line: Agenda IV.C.1 -Adoption of Interim Rule to Restrict the Transportation of Material that May Introduce the CRB to the Island of Molokaʻi.
Sample testimony below!
2. Attend the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals meeting on Tuesday, September 23, starting at 9 am, via Zoom or in person.
Zoom link here. Other virtual participation links and information are on the agenda; OR
In person: Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Plant Quarantine Branch 1849 Auiki Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-3100
4. Spread the word!
Sample Testimony
Aloha e Chair Hurd and Members of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity,
My name is [your name] from [your home],and I am urging you to adopt the strongest interim protections against the introduction and potentially devastating establishment of coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) on Molokaʻi, as reflected in the petition put forward by ʻAnakala Kunani and ʻAnakē Ipo Nihipali.
Mahalo nui for your past vote in support of the Molokaʻi community, as they sought your help in protecting their island from the potentially devastating impacts of the CRB. Like you, the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals has now unanimously agreed that this situation is an emergency, requiring the strongest possible interim protections against the introduction of CRB on Molokaʻi, while a longer-term solution is developed and implemented.
[optional: provide your own stories, experiences, concerns, or other manaʻo here]
Please, continue to support the Molokaʻi community by voting in support of the strongest protections against the import of CRB host material to the island. Do not let short-term industry interests or speculation about "unintended consequences" lead to a watered down, overcomplicated, and unenforceable alternative version of the rule, as was put forward by the Plant Quarantine Branch at the Advisory Committee's meeting. The Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals wisely chose to support the temporary, total ban of all CRB host material as originally submitted and supported by the Molokaʻi community - please follow their expertise-driven lead, and do the same.
One way or another, your vote will be historic. Your decision may mark a moment where the government and community finally came together, to draw a bold but necessary line in the sand against the destruction of the niu, cultural practices, native species, local agriculture, and local economy of Molokaʻi, and the cultural heritage of Hawaiʻi as a whole. Or, your decision may be a moment where the government once again lets down a community that is doing all that it can to protect its future, and the ʻāina that it loves, from this terrible pest - with catastrophic, generations-long consequences. Please make the right choice, in support of the Molokaʻi community.
Mahalo nui for your consideration of this testimony.
[your name]
Mahalo nui for taking action on this critical issue!