HAWAII DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
Notice of Interim Rule Prohibiting the Interisland Transportation of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Host Materials to the Island of Molokai
On September 23, 2025, pursuant to interim rule, the Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity (Board) authorized a prohibition on the interisland movement of coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) host materials including plants; soil; gravel; decomposing plant material such as compost, wood or tree chips, and mulch; plant propagation media; and other items comprised of decomposing organic plant material such as landscaping material or erosion control socks, from other islands in the State to the island of Molokai to prevent the spread of the CRB, Oryctes rhinoceros. This authorizes the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity (HDAB), Plant Quarantine Branch to prohibit the interisland movement of CRB host materials from other islands in the State to the island Molokai effective September 24, 2025.
The HDAB is authorized to establish interim rules when the importation or movement of any flora or fauna, in the absence of effective rules, creates a situation dangerous to public health and safety or to the ecological health of flora or fauna present in the State which is so immediate in nature as to constitute an emergency. Due to ongoing infestations of CRB in multiple locations on Oahu, Kauai, and West Hawaii, and prior CRB detections on Maui and Lanai, and after a finding by the Advisory Committee on Plants and Animals on September 17, 2025, that the movement of CRB host material constitutes an emergency, the Board determined that a prohibition of CRB host materials is necessary to prevent the spread of CRB to the island of Molokai.
Pursuant to interim rule 25-1, the interisland movement of CRB host materials which includes but is not limited to plants; soil; gravel; decomposing plant material such as compost, wood or tree chips, and mulch; plant propagation media; and other items comprised of decomposing organic plant material such as landscaping material or erosion control socks is prohibited from other islands in the State to the island of Molokai.
The prohibition does not apply to plant products intended for consumption, such as coconuts, fruits, nuts, edible leaves, leaves used for cooking, and spices; plant products preserved from decay by treatment or use, such as lumber, woven hats, dried and painted coconuts, wooden posts, wood carvings, and firewood; seeds for planting; cut flowers and foliage for decoration, such as lei, floral bouquets, or arrangements; and rock, coral, and sand, not mixed with any organic material. The importation of regulated commodities that originate from outside the State of Hawaii is still required to comply with all existing regulations.
The prohibition applies to all nurseries, retailers, distributors of CRB host materials, mulch/compost producers, and to any individual or entity that moves or transports CRB host material interisland from other islands in the State to the island of Molokai.
(SA/HTH/WHT/TGI1507205 10/02/25)
