Beetle’s spread spurs containment effort

State agricultural officials have found another beetle that eats coconut palm trees, this time in Campbell Industrial Park, triggering an expansion of efforts to contain the insect.

State officials said Wednesday the beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, was found Monday in the industrial park outside a buffer zone set up to catch the beetle. Officials created a second buffer zone.

Officials said additional surveys for breeding sites and damage to coconut trees will be conducted, and traps will be deployed in higher density in the new zone.

The coconut rhinoceros beetle was first detected in December 2013 within Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

On May 21, a male coconut rhinoceros beetle was found in a trap at Barbers Point, prompting an expansion of the buffer zone 1 mile west for a total of 9 square miles.

State officials said the majority of coconut rhinoceros beetle detections have occurred within a 2-mile buffer zone at the golf course at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.

About 540 adult beetles, 600 larvae and 16 pupae have been discovered on Oahu.

GMO registry subject of court compromise

HILO » A judge is allowing Hawaii County to maintain a registry of genetically modified crops while preventing public disclosure of farmers’ identities and specific farm locations.

Hilo Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura granted a preliminary injunction Tuesday in response to papaya farmers who argued the Big Island’s registry requirement would expose them to vandalism or theft of trade secrets.

The registry is part of the county’s ban on open-air planting and testing of GMO crops. Papaya farmers are exempt from the ban but were required to participate in the registry.

The judge previously granted a temporary restraining order in favor of the papaya farmers, which put a hold on the registry requirements.

Kohala Councilwoman Margaret Wille told the Hawaii Tribune-Herald the ruling is an acceptable compromise.

Council blocks charter vote on oversight panel

WAILUKU » The Maui County Council is rejecting a resolution for a charter amendment proposal limiting the powers of a public commission that reviews county operations.

The measure would have placed the commission under the control of the county auditor.

The Maui News reported the Council voted 8-0 on Tuesday to forgo placing the resolution on the Nov. 4 general election ballot.

Council member Stacy Crivello said the auditor and the Cost of Government Commission have separate roles.

Former commission member Ron Kawahara said the county needs the oversight. Kawahara noted that the police and fire departments each have a commission overseeing their agencies.