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I have been absolutely devastated to learn about the extent of the coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) infestation across our islands.

On Kauaʻi, they are now present in Wailua and along our “coconut coast.” Even our county golf course was infested. My heart’s broken.

On top of this incredibly real threat of losing our coconut trees and the horrible feelings this brings with it, I’m realizing some (maybe many) aren’t even aware of, or abiding by, the guidelines that come with using the neonic injections to kill them.

Property owners who treat their trees are supposed to trim all flowers and fruit, for at least the first year, to minimize non-target species impacts and ensure that no coconuts are consumed by people. Every native pollinator, bee and butterfly that comes in contact with the coconut tree after treatment can also be poisoned, as these are systemic pesticides.

It will take a special, caring and conscious land owner (who can afford it!) to even follow that requirement post injection, and ensure any treated tree does not produce flowers.

Some said they have concerns about ever eating the coconuts off a tree that has been treated with neonics via injection. The Department of Agriculture says the land owner is responsible for self enforcing this, and recommends a year.

This is probably when the impact of neonics is strongest and clearly a risk to humans. This is what “they” advise the DOA, but the systemic pesticide doesn’t just leave the tree after a year.

I’m at a loss for what to do. As an ecologist, environmental scientist and now an elected official tasked with protecting Kauaʻi, I’m looking for answers and direction from specialists everywhere about what we can do. I’m looking for any data related to the long term impacts of eating coconuts from injected trees, and the safety of consumption in the future.

I’m not even sure any research is available on this. A year may be arbitrarily assigned by the chemical manufacturer and their self produced “science,” maybe even just a statement to try to help avoid future liability.

It’s gut-wrenching. We are having to choose between no trees or poisoned trees (that also poison the natural world around them, and our insects and pollinators).

Many won’t even act to minimize the impact by following the guidelines provided. Many might not even understand why it matters.

There is the suggestion of these for  measures. I just reached out to entomologists that specialize in this and native species to see if there are any known side effects or research about potentially similar native non target species that could be impacted.

I’ve also heard these fungi and viruses may have been used to control them in the South Pacific, but the CRB strain which popped up in Guam that we got is resistant to these diseases now.

A friend is hopeful “they” will find a new strain of these biological controls that could work. Not sure who “they” is or if there is a “they” working on this, but I pray that there is and that “they” contacts me with some hope.

I’m now looking at netting for my personal trees, especially my Samoans and trying to be proactive. The other control measure I’m hearing about is basil oil and I will also look at getting pesticide traps that don’t require the injection of the tree.

The reality is these things are hard if not impossible on a large scale to use effectively, but we could work to get this information out to home owners and property owners. Protect your trees, in advance.  The nets have to be adjusted regularly but can be effective, on a “small scale.” These are not feasible for very high trees due to regular ongoing maintenance requirements.

The basil oil I am hearing works alright but is proactive, not reactive. Also, when it rains it washes off too quickly. Maybe there could be research on using the basil compound that works in a manufactured form. Maybe we synthesize it and create a product that sticks around the tree in some way and acts like a barrier when they try to climb up, but doesn’t wash off easily. I’m grasping at straws.

The level of research and money needed to actually knock CRB out (without poisoning pollinators and food webs around every coconut tree) is probably totally unrealistic for the DOA and our government agencies, especially with the turn around we need to have. The government is designed to be slow, and this needs urgent and drastic action.

I’m deeply depressed and trying to come to terms with all this and the impact CRB will have over the coming decade on Kauaʻi. It’s like something out of a horror movie.

What We Must Do

From my research and understanding so far, these are things that seem urgent:

• We need to fund this on every level with everything we have and treat it like we are going to war. Everything on the table and highest level of support.
• People need to be educated about the process around these neonic injections and be informed about the risks and the responsibility that comes with their use, not to mention the potential harm in consuming the coconuts. Education needs to be provided to everyone who uses these products. We need to know how much application is happening and where. Are users/ land owners being correctly informed, one less complying?
• We need to support efforts to create enclosed “coconut reserves.” and seed banks, to save the many varieties we have across Hawaiʻi, while we figure this out.
• We need to majorly up biosecurity efforts to stop this and the next invasive species threat, like CRB. 

The future depends on it.