HONOLULU (KHON2) — Hawaii County is ramping up efforts to stop the spread of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB), committing additional funding and equipment to combat the growing threat.
The county recently awarded $250,000 to the Big Island Invasive Species Committee (BIISC) to support control measures targeting CRB and other invasive pests.
Officials also announced they are supplying boom trucks to the state Department of Agriculture to assist crews in treating infested palm trees.
On Tuesday, response teams treated 86 trees at Kona International Airport as part of ongoing containment operations.
Residents are urged to report potential sightings of the beetle by calling the state pest hotline at 808-643-PEST.