Maui County Council and the Lahaina Community Land Trust are urging the state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity to adopt interim rules restricting the transport of plant materials that could spread coconut rhinoceros beetles to Maui and Lānaʻi. The state has not declared an emergency despite detecting a half-dozen beetles on the islands since April, delaying new regulations by at least a month.
- The Maui County Council unanimously passed a resolution urging the state to enact interim biosecurity rules against coconut rhinoceros beetles.
- At least six beetles have been detected on Maui and Lānaʻi since April, though state officials have not classified the situation as an emergency.
- Proposed interim rules would likely restrict the inbound transport of plant materials that could harbor beetles or larvae — similar to protections already in place for Molokaʻi.
- The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity is expected to consider the interim rules at its meeting later this month.
- Property owners and landscapers who import plants interisland could face new transport restrictions if the rules are adopted.
Source: Civil Beat
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