Agriculture Board Upholds CRB Import Restrictions to Maui and Lana'i

Aug 28, 2026

By Mark Ladao

The state Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity rejected a proposal to relax import restrictions to Maui and Lana?i meant to keep out the invasive coconut rhinoceros beetle, but is open to making changes to those restrictions.

On Tuesday, state agriculture officials asked the board to allow potential CRB host material from non-infested — other than O?ahu, Kaua?i and a part of West Hawai?i Island — to Maui and Lana?i without first being treated for the beetle.

The board voted against the proposal, saying the threat of CRB spreading is too high.

“We've got to be proactive. We've got to send the right message out to everybody, which is why I find it hard to support this amendment at this point. I'd like to see stronger regulation,” said board member Michael Faye. “And are we ready yet to loosen things up? We'll be able to have the ways to slow these things down or stop them, but we're not there yet. So the stronger we can make things now, the better.”

The state Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity’s Plant Quarantine Branch recommended the changes after discussing the rules with business leaders impacted by the rules.

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Video: We’ll NEVER Use These Grain Bins Again!

A huge change is happening on the farm — our new grain bin has officially arrived, and that means we’ll never use some of our old grain bins again. In today's video, we take delivery of the new grain bin, look back at the old bins that have been part of our farm for years, and talk about why this upgrade is such a big deal for harvest, grain storage, and the future of our family farm.

This is more than just a grain bin delivery. It’s the end of an era and the start of a major farm upgrade that will completely change how we handle corn during harvest. From old grain storage to a brand-new bin setup, this project is one of the biggest improvements we’ve made at the farm.

Join me as the new grain bin shows up, the bin project continues, and we prepare for a new chapter in harvest efficiency on our Minnesota family farm.