Is Oʻahu losing the battle against the coconut rhinoceros beetle?
For more than a decade, CRB have infested Oʻahu, killing off native plants and ʻāina resources.
Waimānalo, Oʻahu
Source: Honolulu Civil Beat
Coconut rhinoceros beetles have infested Oʻahu for more than a decade, killing native palms and plants, disrupting both landscapes and cultural practices. While the Department of Agriculture focuses resources on neighbor islands to slow the spread, some Oʻahu communities are left largely on their own.
Despite $500,000 in new state funding for mitigation efforts, many fear Oʻahu has moved beyond eradication. In Waimānalo, residents like Kimeona Kane have reported the damage for years, only to see piles of rotting mulch and dying trees continue to spread the pest. State officials will be testing new methods, including a nudivirus biocontrol from Malaysian, though experts caution it could also harm native species.
Learn more about at the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response at crbhawaii.org
💭 What responsibilities do state agencies have to support communities facing invasive species, and how can we protect cultural plants tied to Native Hawaiian identity?
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