ʻAʻole CRB: HWF and Pōhaku Pelemaka file a petition to stop the spread of Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle in Kona, Hawaiʻi

Coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) was first detected on Hawaiʻi Island in October 2023 and has since spread to North Kona, with 220 beetles caught near Kona Airport and Keāhole Agricultural Park. The beetle breeds in decaying organic material like green waste and mulch, and detections are appearing farther from the original area, suggesting human-assisted spread through infested materials. Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund and Pōhaku Pelemaka have petitioned the Board of Agriculture to adopt interim rules requiring businesses in the infested area to follow Best Management Practices, including staff training, heat treatment of materials, and regular inspections to prevent further spread.

By Megan Lamson|Jan 14, 2026|Announcements, Coastal Restoration, Conservation Policy, General, Hawaiian Flora|

NET SUCCESS – HWF teams up with community members and state to help clean our coastline!

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund (HWF) has been an active partner with the state DLNR Division of Aquatic Resources’ “Rapid Response” program to help remove large derelict fishing net bundles from Hawaiʻi Island shorelines since 2023.

By Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund|Dec 4, 2024|Announcements, Coastal Restoration, General, Marine Debris|

Highlights from the Hawaiʻi Predator Control and Wetland Workshop on Maui

Last week, our team at Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund joined experts from across Hawaiʻi Nei and beyond at the Hawaiʻi Predator Control and Wetland Workshop held in Kahului, Maui to share practical management expertise and help preserve our precious wetland habitats and associated native species.

By Lindsey Kramer|May 9, 2024|Announcements, Conferences & Workshops, Conservation Policy, General, Hawaiian Wildlife, Research|

Legal Intervention Seeks to Protect Hawaiʻi’s Punaluʻu Beach From Development

The Center for Biological Diversity has filed a legal intervention opposing a proposed resort development on one of Hawaiʻi’s most renowned black sand beaches that would harm local residents and jeopardize threatened and endangered species, including green sea turtles and Hawaiian monk seals.

By Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund|Mar 6, 2024|Announcements, Conservation Policy, Environmental Education, Hawaiian Flora, Hawaiian Wildlife, Upcoming Events|

Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund reaches a milestone in its Hawai‘i Large Debris Recovery Partnership

With funding and support from the National Oceanographic & Atmospheric Association (NOAA), Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund recently reached a major milestone in its collaborative project with the Surfrider Foundation (Kauaʻi Chapter), SHARKastics, and many other community partners. During this extensive two-year project across three Hawaiian Islands, we collaboratively hosted a total of 390 debris-removal activities and we recovered 61.0 metric tons (134,423 pounds) of marine debris!

By Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund|Feb 25, 2024|Announcements, Coastal Restoration, General, Marine Debris, Research|

Meet our third 2023 Kaʻū Scholarship winner, Adam Dierking

Check out this inspiring essay from our third and final Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship winner for 2023, Adam Dierking.

By Hawaiʻi Wildlife Fund|Jan 4, 2024|Announcements, General, Hawaiian Wildlife, Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Essays|

Help stop the spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros beetle

Grubs of the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) were found at a Hawaiʻi Island residence, likely transported within store-bought soil or compost products. These beetles are known for boring into unopened fronds of palms to feed on sap, eventually killing the “tree” (technically a perennial flowering plant). On Hawaiʻi Island, these invasive beetles pose a serious threat to our five endemic species of loulu palms, of which three are already designated as endangered or critically imperiled. Please help prevent the spread of these beetles in your area by reporting any sightings of grubs or beetles to the state’s toll-free Pest Hotline: (808) 643-PEST (7378).

By Lindsey Kramer|Nov 5, 2023|Announcements, General, Hawaiian Wildlife|

Ten Kaʻū Stewardship Trainee POSITIONS AVAILABLE NOW!

Ka ʻOhana O Honuʻapo (with support from HWF) launch their Kaʻū Hoa Pili ʻĀina Training Program!

By Megan Lamson|Oct 9, 2023|Announcements, Coastal Restoration, General, Hawaiian Flora, Hawaiian Wildlife|

Kaʻū Scholarship Essay by Derek Lang (Hawaiian Monk Seal)

My Favorite Wildlife Species written by Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Recipient #2. In May 2023, HWF offered ten scholarships to recent high school graduates with ties to Kaʻū (thanks to funding from a private foundation).

By Megan Lamson|Sep 29, 2023|Announcements, General, Hawaiian Wildlife, Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Essays, Marine Debris|

Kaʻū Scholarship Essay by Lori-Lee Lorenzo (Hapuʻu pulu)

My Favorite Wildlife Species Written by Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Recipient #1: Lori-Lee Lorenzo In May 2023, HWF offered ten scholarships to recent high school graduates with ties to Kaʻū (thanks to funding from a private foundation). Part of the application process included an essay (400-500 words) featuring their favorite native wildlife species, plant or [...]

By Megan Lamson|Jun 20, 2023|Announcements, General, Hawaiian Flora, Kaʻū Wildlife Scholarship Essays|