With the recent discovery of the coconut rhinoceros beetle on Lānaʻi, residents of Molokaʻi are begging state agricultural officials to take urgent steps to keep the tree-killing insect from reaching their shores.
At a recent Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity meeting, Lori Buchanan — a well-known Molokaʻi community advocate — pleaded with board members to prevent hosts such as mulch and green waste from being transported from infested areas such as Oʻahu.
“Being the person in charge of protecting Moloka’i and knowing that I’ve done everything I can …” said Buchanan, who also is a member of the Molokaʻi/Maui Invasive Species Committee. “I’m here today asking for help.”…