A coordinated effort among several agencies has led to the fumigation and removal of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) breeding sites at Keāhole Agricultural Park on Hawai‘i Island. The operation involved the Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity, County of Hawai‘i, Hawai‘i Invasive Species Council, Hawai‘i Department of Transportation, CRB Response, and the Big Island Invasive Species Committee.
On July 28, 2025, staff from these agencies assessed green waste piles at the agricultural park for signs of CRB activity. Using heavy equipment provided by the Highways Division of the Department of Transportation, crews uncovered two breeding sites at a landscape nursery within the park. They found 110 late-stage CRB larvae and three adult beetles in the green waste piles. To prevent further spread into neighboring areas, workers covered the piles with fumigation tarps while awaiting approval to proceed with fumigation and removal.
The Department of Agriculture hired a private pest-control company to fumigate approximately 1,500 cubic yards of green waste on August 13. The following week, teams from HDOT and the County’s Department of Environmental Management transported this material to a West Hawai‘i processing facility for additional treatment to ensure all beetles were eradicated. All movement stayed within a voluntary compliance zone established by Mayor C. Kimo Alameda in June 2025 to restrict transport of potential host material out of affected areas (see news release: https://www.hawaiicounty.gov/Home/Components/News/News/4072/720).
“It takes an army to battle the CRB threat and we are grateful for our agency partners that have steadfastly supported efforts to eradicate, mitigate and control the beetles,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity. “We also need the public’s help in stopping the movement of green waste from areas in infestation zones.”
As part of follow-up actions after fumigation at Keāhole Agricultural Park, CRB Response staff checked additional green waste piles at nurseries in the area on August 18 but did not find more evidence of beetles or breeding sites. With those sites removed, pesticide treatments targeting coconut palm crowns will continue as a precaution against further infestations. More detection traps are being set up around Keāhole Agricultural Park and monitoring will increase throughout nearby locations.
Residents who suspect they have found coconut rhinoceros beetles on Hawai‘i Island are encouraged to report them immediately via the state’s toll-free PEST HOTLINE at 808-643-PEST (7378) or online at 643Pest.org.
