Some Molokai residents are pushing the state to halt to the shipment of plants, mulch and compost to their island for one year to prevent the spread of invasive coconut rhinoceros beetles.

Molokai, they said, is the last populated isle in Hawaii without any confirmed reports of the invasive pest, which destroys palms by boring into their fronds to feed on leaves and sap.

“If this thing takes off, it’s going to ruin the future of our tree of life,” said petitioner Kunani Nihipali. “It’s a tree that has provided for eons of Polynesians and Hawaiians. As a canoe plant, it’s a sacred plant that was part of childbirth through adulthood to death.”

Kunani and Ipo Nihipali, who are part of the Niu Now movement, in July filed a petition with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture & Biosecurity ask

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