Life As We Know It Is At Risk

By Kirsten Kagimoto, Chapter Deputy Director | Reading time: 4 minutes

Invasive species are invading our communities—harming our keiki, kupuna, and pets, and munching away at our niu, hala, ʻulu, kalo, and more. May marks Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month, and this year’s theme, “What’s at Risk?” has a simple answer: everything.

Coconut rhinoceros beetles, little fire ants, hala scale, coqui frogs and other invasive pests threaten every aspect of our lives in the islands—from our food and water security to our cultural practices, economy, and overall quality of life.

But how do we protect everything we love and rely on? By working together. Stopping the spread of invasive species and minimizing their impacts requires collective community action—each of us doing our part in our homes, yards, and open spaces to safeguard our families and our ʻāina, today and for generations to come.

The Pest and Climate Clocks Are Ticking

We all know the best time to stop invasive species is before they become established. Unfortunately, for some pests like coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) on Oʻahu and little fire ants on Hawaiʻi Island, that moment has already passed. Still, for many others, we can limit the damage if we act quickly and decisively.

Climate change is accelerating the spread. As temperatures rise and ecosystems shift, pests like CRB, little fire ants, and those causing Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death will only become more prevalent. These infestations weaken our climate resilience, increase disaster recovery costs, and degrade the very systems we rely on for survival.

The longer we wait, the harder—and more expensive—the problem becomes. The time to act is now.

Power is in Our Hands Working Together

Thankfully, we’ve seen that community action works. Across the islands, communities are coming together to remove CRB breeding grounds, hunt for coqui frogs, test for fire ants, and educate one another. At the state level, community voices helped amend a legislative proposal that could have undermined the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, one of our strongest lines of defense. Hundreds of people testified, and today at the close of the legislature, the Council remains intact.

Meanwhile, earlier the Department of Agriculture has finally adopted permanent rules that allow for island-wide quarantines to help contain and control invasive species. These long-overdue rules were made possible by public pressure—proof that community voices matter.

One of the clearest examples of how interconnected we are comes from CRB. Even if you or your neighbors treat your palms, those efforts may be wasted if compost, mulch, or bagged soil—where CRB spends almost 90% of its life cycle—aren’t properly managed. Palm damage can take months to appear, and by then, the infestation may already be widespread.

Managing green waste properly is critical. Check compost piles, green waste stockpiles, and bags of potting soil. Be mindful when buying plants and materials, and don’t be afraid to talk story with your neighbors. For tips and best practices, visit the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response website.

We rise or fall together. One person or agency cannot solve this alone.

We Can’t Rely on Government Alone

The Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and the Legislature play a role in pest response—but bureaucracy, politics, and limited capacity often slow things down, especially when timely action is most needed.

Fortunately, the Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council (HISC) and its partner committees, along with the Hawaiʻi Ant Lab (HAL) and the CRB Response team, have consistently shown they are among our strongest lines of defense. These programs are instrumental in early detection, rapid response, public outreach, and connecting grassroots action with statewide strategies.

Sustained support for HISC, HAL and CRB Response means more boots on the ground, more education in our communities, and more tools for residents to protect their ʻāina. We must ensure these efforts continue to receive the resources and public support they need.

Everyone Has a Role to Play

Here are some practical steps you can take today:

Conclusion: What’s at Risk? Everything.

Our way of life, our food, our water, and our future are all at risk from invasive species—especially as the climate crisis worsens.

But there’s hope. Each of us has the power to make a difference, and together, we are stronger.

Don’t wait. Manage your green waste, learn to spot signs of pests, and get involved today. The health of our ʻāina—and the generations who will inherit it—depend on what we do now.

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