The Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle: Hawaiʻi’s Growing Threat and a Clean Solution
The Problem in Numbers
The coconut rhinoceros beetle (CRB) has become one of Hawaiʻi’s most dangerous invasive species. First detected on Oʻahu in 2013, it has since spread to Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. CRB bores into the crowns of palms, destroying new fronds and often killing entire trees. The pest is not limited to coconuts. It also threatens bananas, pineapples, taro, and other important crops.
The beetle’s breeding grounds are even more troubling. CRB larvae thrive in moist, decaying organic matter such as mulch, compost, stumps, and logs. A single pile of green waste can produce thousands of beetles over just a few months. Adults then emerge and spread the damage to new areas.
The cost is already mounting. In Honolulu, nearly 200 palms had to be removed in 2024 due to beetle damage, and city officials began removing or treating another 800 palms in 2025. Regulations have also tightened, with the state restricting movement of infested soil, mulch, and compost between islands.
Why the Beetle Spreads So Easily
CRB does not depend solely on palms to survive. Any decaying organic material can serve as a breeding nursery. This means that moving mulch or compost from one property to another can unintentionally transport larvae and eggs, spreading infestations across neighborhoods and islands.
Detection tools like pheromone traps help track beetle populations, and enhancements like UV light have been shown to significantly improve capture rates. However, traps only catch adult beetles. The real solution lies in treating breeding sites where larvae grow unseen.
A Non-Toxic Approach: Steam Treatment
One of the most effective ways to eliminate CRB larvae is through heat. Scientific studies show that raising the temperature of organic matter to around 160 degrees Fahrenheit for at least 30 minutes kills insects, larvae, and eggs. By applying steam directly to mulch and compost piles, entire breeding populations can be wiped out before they ever take flight.
Steam has another major advantage: it is chemical-free. Unlike insecticides, which leave residues and pose risks to people, pollinators, and the environment, steam uses nothing more than heated water. This makes it safe for use near homes, farms, and sensitive ecosystems.
Why We Partnered With Sioux Corporation
To deliver the most effective treatment possible, Mr. Lance’s Steam has partnered with Sioux Corporation, a leader in industrial steam and hot water solutions. Their machines are designed for maximum durability, precision temperature control, and efficiency, making them ideal for large-scale green waste sterilization.
By combining Sioux’s top-of-the-line steam equipment with our specialized application methods, we ensure that every pile of mulch, compost, or soil is treated thoroughly and consistently. This partnership allows us to bring industrial-level reliability to a problem that affects both small landowners and large agricultural operations.
We chose Sioux because their reputation for innovation and quality matches our mission: to provide Hawaiʻi with a solution that is powerful enough to stop CRB at the source while staying completely non-toxic. With this collaboration, we can scale treatments across the islands and bring peace of mind to farmers, homeowners, and communities alike.
How Mr. Lance’s Steam Helps
Mr. Lance’s Steam LLC is dedicated to tackling the beetle where it breeds. The process is simple and clean:
Identify high-risk sites such as mulch piles, compost, and decaying logs.
Apply high-temperature steam to kill eggs, larvae, and pupae inside the material.
Repeat the treatment every few months to break the beetle’s life cycle.
Work with local partners and monitoring programs to target steaming where traps and surveys show the highest activity.
By attacking the beetle’s nursery sites, Mr. Lance’s Steam prevents thousands of beetles from ever reaching adulthood and attacking palms or crops.
Why It Matters Now
The beetle’s spread is accelerating across the islands. Each outbreak increases the cost of tree removal, crop losses, and control measures. Palms are not just ornamental; they are a cultural and ecological symbol of Hawaiʻi, and their loss would change the landscape of the islands.
Steam treatment offers a solution that aligns with Hawaiʻi’s values. It is clean, natural, and safe, while still highly effective at stopping beetle populations.
What You Can Do
Check your property for mulch piles, stumps, or compost that could harbor CRB.
Schedule steam treatments to keep breeding sites under control.
Avoid moving untreated mulch or soil between locations.
Report suspicious palm damage, such as V-shaped cuts or holes in fronds, to local authorities.
The Takeaway
The coconut rhinoceros beetle is spreading quickly and causing real damage across Hawaiʻi. But it is not unbeatable. By cutting off its breeding grounds with high-temperature steam, we can protect palms, crops, and communities without introducing chemicals to the islands’ fragile ecosystems.
With the unmatched machinery from Sioux Corporation and our dedication to non-toxic treatments, Mr. Lance’s Steam is proud to lead this fight with a safe, effective, and environmentally friendly solution.
