CRB Reigns Chaos While Interim Quarantine Rules Expire

By Kirsten Kagimoto, Deputy Director and Wayne Tanaka, Chapter Director | Reading time: 4.25 minutes

Niu and other vital crops on neighbor islands are now more vulnerable to coconut rhinoceros beetle infestations, as the interim rule prohibiting the transport of these beetles and infested plants and materials from Oʻahu to the other islands expired last week. 

In response to widespread community and agency concerns about the beetle’s spread—especially as hundreds of palms are being cut down across Oʻahu—the Agriculture Department’s Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals will be considering another interim rule this Friday, October 11 at 9am.

While this interim rule is critical for preventing the devastation that Oʻahu is experiencing from reaching neighbor islands in the short term, much more is needed to protect our islands in the long-term. 

Take a moment now to submit testimony in support of the interim rule and urge the Agriculture Department to take additional steps, including adopting permanent quarantine rules and other essential biosecurity measures. Meeting details and a sample testimony are provided below.

Department of Agriculture Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals Hearing
Friday, October 11, 9am - Agenda
Department of Agriculture Plant Quarantine Branch Conference Room
1849 Auiki Street, Honolulu, HI 96819
Join virtually via Zoom
Submit written testimony to: HDOA.PQ.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV
Subject line: Testimony re: Agenda Item 3 - Unrestricted Inter-Island Movement of Palm Plants
Sample testimony: 

Aloha Chair and Members of the Advisory Committee, 

I am writing today in support of Agenda Item 3, regarding the urgent need to restrict the inter-island movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) host materials, including live plants and decomposing plant materials. 

CRB are a serious threat to Hawaiʻi’s environment, climate resilience, cultural heritage, food security, economy, and overall well-being. Oʻahu is experiencing the widespread devastation these beetles cause, and we must prevent neighbor islands from facing the same fate—especially in vulnerable places like Maui where plants and materials are being transported at a higher rate while Lāhainā rebuilds and reforests.

To further protect our communities, I urge the Advisory Committee to include language requiring the Department of Agriculture to collaborate with each county on a plan to manage mulch, compost, and green waste—key breeding materials for the CRB. Local cooperation is essential for effectively limiting CRB reproduction and preventing further spread.

While this interim rule is essential in the short-term, more must be done. I respectfully urge the Advisory Committee to advocate for the Department of Agriculture to promptly adopt the proposed amendments to Chapter 72 of the Hawaiʻi Administrative Rules. These amendments, which have been under consideration since February 2023, are crucial for controlling the spread of coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants by implementing a permanent inter- and intra-island quarantine on pest-infested plants and materials, along with other biosecurity measures. 

Thank you for your consideration of this important matter. 

Sincerely, 
[Your name]

Then, if you haven’t already, message Governor Green and your legislators, calling on them to urge the Agriculture Department to adopt the permanent quarantine rules. If you’ve already sent a message using our form, we encourage you to call the Governor’s office at 808-586-0034 and say something like: 

“Hello, my name is [your name] and I am a resident of [town]. I’m calling to urge Governor Green to ensure the Agriculture Department adopts the proposed quarantine rules now, while we still have a chance to manage coconut rhinoceros beetles and little fire ants. Thank you.”

We also welcome folks to write a letter to the editor urging Governor Green and his Agriculture Department to take immediate action to stop the spread of invasive pests. Be sure to encourage your friends and family who care about Hawaiʻi’s future to do the same.

We anticipate the next Board of Agriculture meeting to be on Tuesday, October 22. Whether the quarantine rules will be on the agenda for decision making remains to be seen, but mark your calendars and stay tuned for updates as we get closer. 

October is Stop the Ant Month

October is “Stop the Ant Month”, a time dedicated to raising awareness and promoting action against little fire ants, a serious threat to the islands' ecosystems, agriculture, pets, and residents. Established by the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, this month-long initiative encourages community members to join the fight by inspecting their properties for these tiny, stinging pests and reporting any findings. Little fire ants are widespread in East Hawaiʻi, spreading around Oʻahu, and are present in small (but growing) populations on Kauaʻi and Maui. ⁠

Residents can order free ant collection kits to test their homes and yards that will identify any ants collected. By participating in regular property checks and encouraging neighbors to do the same, communities can play a crucial role in controlling and containing populations. For more information on how to test and treat for little fire ants, visit stoptheant.org.

Join Our Invasive Species Volunteer Team

Lastly, join our invasive species volunteer team! We are seeking volunteers to help us pack little fire ant detection kits, canvass in-person or virtually, or provide financial support for our pest endeavors. Also be sure to sign up for invasive species email alerts here. We are also still collecting photos and videos of pest impacts (little fire ant infestations and/or bites, coconut rhinoceros beetles, larvae or damaged plants, hala scale, etc) across the islands. Email us at hawaii.chapter@sierraclub.org with your media, including your name and general location.