Since 2013, Oryctes rhinoceros, also known as coconut rhinoceros beetle, has become widespread in the state. Native to the Asia tropics, the invasive species is a pest of coconut and oil palms and is not harmful to people.
Arisa Barcinas, outreach associate of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Hawaiʻi, said historically, Central and West Oʻahu are where the most CRB have been detected, but more recently, CRB have been found in pockets in the North Shore and Windward Oʻahu.
"Each island is also in a different situation right now," Barcinas told Aloha State Daily. "Oʻahu has more long-term control and management; Big Island, Kaua‘i, Maui are in the eradication phase, where with the landowners' permission, we survey the area, treat it and remove the breeding material; Lānaʻi and Molokai are in the prevention and early detection phase with traps.”
If you are on Oʻahu, you do not have to report CRB. On Neighbor Islands, please report any coconut rhinoceros beetles, larvae or tree damage here, or call 808-679-5244.
“Especially on Oʻahu, the burden of CRB has fallen on individuals," she said. "We aim to be a resource to them and offer as much support and guidance with next steps as they need.
As reported by other local news outlets this week, CRB were recently found in Waikoloa Village and Kona International Airport. “Traps have been up for years there, so once they got caught, different agencies got involved to figure the rest out,” said Barcinas, who has worked at CRB Response for three years, among the team of field crew, data and outreach and canine divisions.
CRB Response provides education, awareness, detection, prevention and treatments to protect Hawaiʻi’s natural landscapes, businesses and residents’ homes. Funding comes from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Department of Defense and state Department of Land and Natural Resources, its website states. It is managed by the University of Hawai’i.
“CRB often spreads through the movement of material such as green waste, mulch and compost,” Barcinas said. “Our canine unit is a great tool for early detection in large amounts of material, or in unsuspecting places. We have two dogs that will sniff out the larvae and sit in response to detection, so the handlers can confirm CRB.”
“We encourage people to plant more trees and manage their green waste, especially at ports where material is being imported and exported, to minimize the risk for CRB spread.”
Looking ahead, CRB Response is conducting research at UH for more long-term control methods for CRB, including biocontrol, Barcinas said.
“You can see the effects of CRB. We’ve had people tell us about palm trees they’re losing that were planted by or for their family, not to mention the how high the cost is for replacing these damaged trees,” she added. “We must continue to gather together and try to manage these CRB.
CONTACT
Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response Hawaiʻi
Email: info@crbhawaii.org
Phone: 808-679-5244
Website: crbhawaii.org
Kelsey Kukaua Medeiros can be reached at kelsey@alohastatedaily.com.
