Defend Molokaʻi, Stop CRB Introductions

For years now, community members and groups across the islands have sounded the alarm on the need to strengthen our biosecurity laws, particularly as pests such as the little fire ant, coconut rhinoceros beetle, and other invasive species have spread across and between our islands - due in large part to the unregulated sale and movement of infested plants and nursery products.  While public pressure has resulted in some recent progress, the cascading and exponentially growing threats invasive pests pose to our ecosystems, food security, cultural integrity, climate resilience, and ways of life leave us with no time to waste. 

Now, community members from Molokaʻi, one of the last main Hawaiian islands not yet impacted by the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), are no longer waiting. They have petitioned the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt an interim rule to “Prohibit the Transportation of Material that May Introduce the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle to the Island of Molokai.”  

Thanks to collective grassroots efforts led by ʻAnakala Kunani Nihipali, ʻAnakē Ipo Nihipali, and the Niu Now Molokaʻi project, the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity will consider this interim rule proposal petition next week Tuesday, August 26, at 9 a.m. 

Delays in action have resulted in CRB devastating coconut and palm trees, as well as banana and other crops, across Oʻahu, and beetles have now been found on Kauaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi Island, and Lānaʻi. Urgent safeguards such as the proposed interim rule may be critical to  preventing the introduction and spread of CRB across Molokaʻi, which could result in irreparable harm to Molokaʻi’s food security, cultural traditions, native biodiversity, and economy.

Your voice is needed to help ensure this interim rule is approved and adopted!

How You Can Help: 

1. Submit written testimony by Monday, August 25 at 9am.

1. Email to DAB.BOARD.TESTIMONY@HAWAII.GOV

2. Subject line: Interim Rule to Prohibit the Transportation of Material that May Introduce the CRB to the Island of Molokaʻi

3. Sample testimony below

2. Attend the Hawaiʻi Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity meeting on August 26, starting at 9 am, via Zoom or in person

1. Zoom link here; other virtual participation links and information are on the agenda.

2. Attend in person at the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity Plant Quarantine Branch 1849 Auiki Street Honolulu, Hawaii 96819-3100

3. Watch live online here

3. Sign the petition via the QR code below.

4. Share this email with others who care about protecting our ʻāina and cultural integrity from the irreversible damage of invasive species. 

Sample Testimony

Aloha Chair Hurd and Members of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity,

My name is [your name] and I am testifying in STRONG SUPPORT of the Interim Rule to Prohibit the Transportation of Material that May Introduce the CRB to the Island of Molokaʻi.

We know the impacts that the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) may have on not just our iconic and culturally vital niu, but on other plants and crops of great cultural, ecological, and economic importance, including loulu, maia, kalo, and others. 

We also know how easily this pest can spread through the movement of infested plants, mulch, and other products, including between islands - as illustrated by repeated new detections on Hawai‘i Island, Maui, and most recently, Lānaʻi. 

The establishment of CRB on Molokaʻi would be particularly devastating to the island’s agriculture, cultural practices, and ecological integrity. As the last main Hawaiian island not yet impacted by CRB, and with little on-island resources to detect and eradicate new populations of this pest, it is imperative that we do what it takes to prevent its introduction to Molokaʻi. 

Accordingly, I respectfully but strongly urge you to SUPPORT the interim rule proposal before you today.  Mahalo nui for your consideration of this matter.

Mahalo nui for taking action on this critical issue!