Hawai‘i Dept. of Agriculture awards grants to fight coconut rhinoceros beetles, for green waste management

The Hawai‘i Department of Agriculture has awarded grants for community-based management of coconut rhinoceros beetles on O‘ahu, and to support green waste management on the islands of Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu.

Awards for the two grant programs totaled about $293,000.

“The department appreciates the concern and willingness of community organizations to assist in the battle against the coconut rhinoceros beetle,” said Sharon Hurd, chairperson of the Hawai‘i Board of Agriculture. “We look forward to the results of their efforts, which may be replicated in other communities in the future.”

Three grant awards were approved for proposed projects by community nonprofit organizations to eliminate coconut rhinoceros beetles in green waste, the primary breeding environments on Kaua‘i, Maui and O‘ahu. A total of almost $118,000 was awarded, with a maximum award of $40,000.

Green waste includes grass clippings, leaves, branches, hedge and tree trimmings, fruits and vegetables, palm fronds, and other similar plant materials that can be composted. Proposals were reviewed for clear objectives, measurable outcomes and data collection methods to show the measurable outcomes were met.

For coconut rhinoceros beetle control and management in O‘ahu communities, seven community organizations were awarded approximately $25,000 each.