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Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui
Officials are adding traps and asking residents to inspect palms as the invasive beetle threatens coconut trees and other crops.
- State officials are surveying Maui and Moloka'i following detections of the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle near Kahului Airport and Kaunakakai Harbor. The suspected male beetle found Tuesday on Moloka'i marks the first time the pest has appeared on the island.
- Invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles kill palm species by boring into their hearts and breed in compost. Residents successfully petitioned the Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity six months ago for strict import regulations to prevent this exact scenario.
- Personnel from the Maui Invasive Species Committee and the Department are conducting surveys and deploying traps. Officials asked residents within a 2-mile radius of detection sites to check palms and report green waste piles.
- Moloka'i Sen. Lynn DeCoite criticized the Department's communication, stating, "We can't help them if they're not communicating." Legislators threatened to pull over $20 million in funding unless the agency addresses staff vacancies.
- Rep. Mahina Poepoe introduced House Bill 1929 this year to establish a resident advisory board and quarantine facility on Moloka'i. The bill advanced Wednesday after clearing the Senate Ways and Means Committee.
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Associated Press News+9 Reposted by 9 other sources
Palm-Killing Beetle Found On Molokaʻi For First Time, Rediscovered On Maui
State officials are surveying parts of Maui and Molokaʻi for evidence of coconut rhinoceros beetles, and residents near detection sites are being asked to check palm trees for signs of damage after the highly invasive pest was discovered on both islands.
·United States
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Total News Sources13
Leaning Left5Leaning Right1Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 42%
C 50%
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