Michael Melzer News Today

A new task force is asking for public help to fight off the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle on Maui.

The County of Maui Department of Agriculture launched a Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle Working Group to address the threat of the invasive Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle, which was reported recently in Kīhei. 

The mulch initiative has saved the landscaping department nearly $500,000 a year in transportation and mulch purchase costs.

Pacific neighbors are fighting back against the coconut rhinoceros beetle, and there are lessons for Hawaii.

Researchers from the University of Hawai'i at Mānoa College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources have discovered two new viruses that are attacking hibiscus plants in Hawaii and may endanger the state flower.

Two new viruses are infecting hibiscus plants in Hawaiʻi and they could pose a threat to the state flower, the yellow hibiscus, according to researchers at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa.

Infected hibiscus plants show mosaic, ringspot and chlorotic spots on their leaves.

The state has struggled with biosecurity due to staffing issues and underfunding for more than 10 years. Whether the Legislature will increase funding to meet the state's needs is still up in the air.

vanished friday morning and despite a massive manhunt still no trace. >> at this time theres been nothing significant, of significance in terms of results to report to you. >> reporter: almost two dozen agencies plus the fbi are involved in the search for kyron. so far police received more than 1,200 tips and volunteers combed through a two-mile area near his home. on tuesday police interviewed more staff members at skyline elementary school. >> you have even seemingly insignificant in...