Since May 2025, two incidents have been reported in which coconut rhinoceros beetles (CRB) were detected on Lāna‘i in plants transported from O‘ahu. The Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (DAB) and the importer on Lāna‘i have taken additional steps to prevent CRB from being brought to the island. In both cases, Pūlama Lāna‘i (PL), a land management company that provides landscaping and biosecurity services for the island, found CRB in shipments of potted plants originating from O‘ahu.
Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity, said, “The precautionary measures that Pūlama Lāna‘i have taken to prevent pests from hitchhiking to Lāna‘i must be recognized and is truly appreciated. If all plant importers and shippers were as diligent and responsible, the state would be in much better position regarding invasive pests and diseases. It takes all of us to protect Hawai‘i.”
On May 30, PL staff discovered a possible CRB larva in a large pot containing a palm plant that had arrived from O‘ahu under mandatory quarantine. As a safety measure, PL immediately quarantined the entire shipment within two 40-foot shipping containers and notified DAB’s Plant Quarantine Branch (PQB) on June 5. PQB inspectors confirmed the larva as CRB on June 6. Rather than returning the shipment to O‘ahu, PL chose to destroy it through deep burial.
A subsequent inspection was conducted by PQB personnel from O‘ahu and Maui on June 19. They unpotted every plant in the shipment; one live CRB larva was found at the bottom of a large pot with a palm tree. Inspectors believe new compost material added before shipping may have been the source of infestation. No further CRBs were detected, and inspectors observed as plants were buried beneath at least seven feet of dirt. The following day, Maui inspectors stayed on Lāna‘i for outreach efforts about CRB with local businesses and the U.S. Postal Service.
On July 9, during offloading of another shipment from O‘ahu, PL staff identified an ant species (not little fire ant), which was treated with insecticide. On July 11 while continuing offloading activities, an adult male CRB was found atop a large pot containing a tropical plant; this shipment was destroyed by burning.
PL operates its biosecurity program voluntarily alongside state and federal initiatives to help detect invasive pests like CRB on shipped plants. Although potted plants not considered hosts for CRB are viewed as low risk for Lāna‘i, these recent findings highlight why ongoing quarantine protocols remain important.
Jonathan Sprague, director of conservation at Pūlama Lāna‘i stated: “Over the past 12 years, our team has intercepted a number of invasive pests through our biosecurity program, including little fire ant and coqui frog. The recent interception of the coconut rhinoceros beetle is another example of how important this work is in keeping Lāna‘i free of these noxious pests and protecting our natural resources. We’d like to thank the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity, the Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council and the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response for their coordination and continued partnership.”
In response to these incidents involving live CRBs in potted plants shipped from O‘ahu, DAB along with PL and other partners are implementing more measures such as deploying additional detection traps with pheromone lures across Lāna‘i—including those managed by PL or set up by USDA—and considering voluntary agreements with importers to limit purchases of large potted plants over ten gallons from O‘ahu as an extra safeguard against introducing CRBs onto Lāna‘i Island.
Additionally, research into potential fumigation methods is being considered for future shipments as another layer of protection against transporting live beetles or their larvae/eggs within potted plants.
On regulatory matters, PQB continues working towards amending administrative rules related to moving materials known to host coconut rhinoceros beetles out of infested areas.
