Multiple dead coconut rhinoceros beetles have been found in Kahului and Waikapū since June 2026, raising concern about a possible breeding population on Maui. Authorities are urging property owners to inspect and properly dispose of green waste, compost, and mulch.
- Ten dead CRB adults were found in Central Maui traps and treated palm trees in late June and July 2026, following earlier detections in Kīhei and Kahului Airport.
- No live beetles, larvae, or tree damage have been confirmed yet, but officials warn a breeding population may be present.
- CRB bores into coconut and other palm trees, potentially killing them and threatening landscapes and agriculture across Maui.
- Property owners should regularly inspect compost, mulch, and green waste piles for larvae, and dispose of organic material at proper processing facilities.
- A multiagency trap network has been deployed around detection sites; community reporting is considered critical to early eradication.
Source: Maui Now
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