Pupukea Bike Path in Peril

By Rick Lantz

Community and residents are being asked to help stop the spread of the Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (CRB) along the Pupukea bike path. The shade and greenery that many path users enjoy is at risk of being decimated. The spread of the CRB has infiltrated the North Shore and we have lost a significant amount of palms and trees and will continue to lose more unless our community takes action to stop the spread.

The spread of the CRB is through the larvae that hatch and develop in decomposing Green Waste and mulch piles, particularly Palm Fronds Green Waste piles. The bike path has become a convenient place for nearby residents to dispose of their cuttings, primarilypalm fronds. There are multiple piles that line the bike path.

This problem is partly due to the lack of designated green waste pickup days and barrels for the residents living along the path on Ke Nui, Ke Ike, and Ke Waena Roads. These streets are very narrow requiring the refuse collectors to use a smaller truck with attendants manually dumping smaller barrels. However, according to Environmental Services/ Refuse Collection management, Green Waste will still be picked up on these streets on collection day provided it is cut up and placed in barrels. They will not pick up green waste piled on the ground. There is NO LIMIT on the number of barrels you can put out for collection.

The City has been asked several times to facilitate the removal of the Green Waste, but they do not have the personnel to remove existing Green Waste. The City has only one maintenance worker available for keeping the bike path safely trimmed and cleaned.

What can you do to stop the CRB spread along the bike path and neighborhoods?

Be Responsible for your Green Waste – put it in barrels or haul to dump, organize a party, clean up and haul away and haul away existing piles along the path. Educate yourself on the CRB at crbhawaii. org

Laie Dump open everyday until 6pm, Kawailoa dump only Sunday 12-6p