Media 

These palms arrived before humans and once stood tall across the islands. Today, they’re disappearing. In this Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Awareness Month (HISAM) webinar, join Tim Chambers of the U.S. Army Natural Resource Program on Oʻahu as he shares the story of loulu, the only endemic palms in Hawaiʻi. Once used for hale construction and deeply rooted in place-based knowledge, loulu now face threats from habitat loss, hybridization, and the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB). Learn about: The five Pritchardia species endemic to Oʻahu Conservation tools: fencing, seed collection, and outplanting How CRB is impacting forest restoration areas Living seed banks and partnerships for long-term protection What’s at stake if we lose our endemic palms This talk reminds us: what’s at risk is more than a tree — it’s a connection to place, history, and future resilience.

Safeguarding Hawai'i's Niu: A Journey Through Coconut Preservation Join us for a fascinating webinar exploring the vital work of preserving ancient Hawaiian coconut varieties. Kehau from the Community Coconut Program shares their incredible efforts to protect this culturally and historically significant tree. This webinar covers: • 00:00:00 - 00:10:00: Introduction and Kehau's introduction to the Community Coconut Program. The importance of safeguarding ancient Niu varieties is highlighted. • 00:10:00 - 00:25:00: Reconnecting with coconut cultivation and Kanaka identity; overcoming negative stereotypes; showcasing the historical significance of Hawaiian Niu, including connections to Queen Emma. Visuals of before-and-after tree restoration are shown. • 00:25:00 - 00:40:00: Detailed explanation of the coconut preservation process: seed selection, documentation using the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network system, and meticulous data collection methods. Leaf and crown shape classifications are explained. • 00:40:00 - 01:00:00: Community involvement in coconut planting initiatives across various locations in Hawai'i, including including Waiʻanae, Kaʻala, Kūkaniloko, Kapolei, Maui, and Puna. Traditional planting methods and their cultural significance are discussed. • 01:00:00 - 01:20:00: Addressing the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) threat: damage assessment, control methods (Tekken netting), and community education initiatives. A Q&A session with experts addresses viewer questions. Learn about the cultural significance of the coconut tree, the challenges faced in its preservation, and the inspiring community efforts underway to ensure its future.

5:47 Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) spread and establishment in the Pacific, and the management experiences from Vanuatu – Dr. Mark Ero, Pacific Community (SPC), Land Resources Division Pacific Awareness and Response to the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (PARC) Project 48:51 Away from mtCOI – WGS assessments of the Guam haplotype pervasiveness and CRB biosecurity hotspots in the Pacific – Dr. Tek Tay, CSIRO Health & Biosecurity, Invasive Species & Disease Program 1:18:56 Pheromone trap catch may not be correlated with population density – Dr. Aubrey Moore, University of Guam 1:27:58 CRB Biosecurity Interceptions – Dr. Ben Hoffmann, CSIRO Health and Biosecurity, Tropical Ecosystems Research Centre, Australia 1:41:18 CRB Environmental DNA Survey Tool – Dr. Julie Lockwood, Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources, Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute, Rutgers University 2:02:51 CRB Containment – Guam Detector Dog Team for Outbound Cargo – Dr. Andrea Blas, Micronesia Conservation Trust 2:19:00 Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle and OrNV in Palau, a prospect for control for the Pacific – Dr. Christopher Kitalong, Palau Community College Cooperative Research Extension 2:42:57 Drone Based Aerial Application for CRB – Dr. Roberto Rodriguez III, Aeronautical Sciences, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo, & Timo Sullivan, Aloha ʻAina Drones 2:57:23 Question & Answer Session for all available panelists

Researchers from across the Pacific present findings on the history, ecology, detection, and management of the invasive pest Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros). 0:00 Welcome from Organizers 5:00 CRB Biology: Know Your Enemy – Dr. Aubrey Moore, University of Guam 45:00 CRB… Who Cares! – Roland Quitugua, University of Guam Cooperative Extension Outreach 1:29:00 Overview of Regional Variability in Palm Health and Infestation Levels at Several Sites on Oahu – Dr. Keith Weiser, Hawaiʻi Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response 1:45:00 Can RNA Interference be a Component of CRB Control? – Dr. Michael Melzer, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2:01:38 Find the Notch! Developing an AI Detector for CRB Damage Using Drone Imagery – Dr. Ryan Perroy, Geography & Environmental Science, University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo 2:15:00 Remote Surveillance and Aerial Pesticide Application for CRB Delineation and Control – Dr. Daniel Jenkins, Department of Plant & Environmental Protection Sciences, College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa 2:38:15 Trapping and Tracking CRB: Research from Guam and Hawaiʻi – Dr. Matthew Siderhurst, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service, Daniel K. Inouye U.S. Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center 2:55:20 Protecting Moananuiākea Meals: Analyzing the Effects of Weather Inflicted CRB on Pacific Island Food Security – Andie Le Doux, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture 3:07:46 Amplifying Efforts in CRB Communications and Management: The Hawaiʻi CRB Communication Plan – Elizabeth Speith, Hawaiʻi Invasive Species Council, Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa & Arisa Barcinas, Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Response, Research Corporation of the University of Hawaiʻi

Join us as we explore the latest advancements in tools and technologies for combatting the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) in Hawai’i. In this video, Dr. Michael Melzer, Dr. Zhiqiang Cheng, Dr. Daniel Jenkins, Mohsen Paryavi, and the CRB Response team from the University of Hawai’i share their insights and discuss the diverse approaches being used to protect Hawai’i from this invasive pest. Discover the cutting-edge strategies and collaborative efforts aimed at safeguarding our islands against the CRB threat. Skip directly to these chapters: 1. Introduction to CRB (0:00 - 1:40) CRB overview, impacts, & spread in Hawaii 2. CRB Identification & Life Cycle (1:40 - 3:32) How to spot adults, larvae, breeding sites, and damage 3. Managing CRB (3:32 - 4:17) Tips for homeowners, resources, and reporting 4. New Research in CRB Control (4:17 - 16:32) 5. Chemical & biological insecticides (4:17 - 9:22) 6. Camera trap technology for tracking CRB (9:22 - 12:12) 7. Q&A with experts on the latest research (12:12 - 16:32) 8. Wrap-up & Resources (16:32 - 17:35) Recap of key points and where to find more help

Keith Weiser, Arisa Barcinas, and Sanna Mattheny from the CRB Response Team dispel some myths about coconut rhinoceros beetle in Hawaiʻi. Have we given up the fight to stop coconut rhinoceros beetle? Do coconut rhinoceros beetle only breed in coconut palm materials? Do these traps control CRB? Will tree treatments stop all damage to an infested palm? If my tree is damaged, should I cut it down? More info: https://www.crbhawaii.org/ Full HISAM 23 Schedule: https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/hisc/2023hisam/

At the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) Response, our mission is to protect Hawaii's communities, industries, and natural environment from the threats and impacts of CRB. In this short presentation, we'll cover what is a CRB, why do we care, who is the CRB Response, and how you can help.

Part of the "Line in the Sand" series, this program presents useful information on the distribution, life cycle, and control of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle.