Niu Now battles coconut rhinoceros beetles with planting strategy

The group has planted over 20 coconut groves and 17 nurseries across Hawaii to preserve genetic diversity and cultural practices.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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As the coconut rhinoceros beetle wreaks havoc on Oahu's coconut trees, the non-profit organization Niu Now is fighting back with a simple strategy: planting. Niu Now has planted over 20 coconut groves and 17 nurseries across Hawaii, focusing on areas with the biggest infestations. The group aims to reconnect Hawaii with indigenous coconut practices while also documenting and seeding the various coconut varieties that grow on the islands.

Why it matters

The coconut rhinoceros beetle poses a serious threat to Hawaii's coconut trees, which are a vital part of the state's cultural heritage and biodiversity. Niu Now's efforts to plant new coconut groves and preserve genetic diversity are crucial to ensuring these trees and the associated cultural practices survive.

The details

Niu Now, founded in 2019, uses mainly netting and mulch management to protect newly planted coconut trees from the coconut rhinoceros beetle. The group has prioritized planting in areas with the largest infestations, such as Waianae. Niu Now also advocates for prevention measures to slow the spread of the beetle to other islands. The group believes that if no new trees are planted, Hawaii could lose many of its unique coconut varieties.

  • Niu Now first noticed the effects of the coconut rhinoceros beetle in 2020.
  • The beetle's first attack on trees planted on the UH West campus was in 2021.

The players

Niu Now

A non-profit organization focused on reconnecting Hawaii with indigenous coconut practices and documenting the genetic diversity of coconuts across the islands.

Indrajit Gunasekara

The co-founder of Niu Now who grew up in Sri Lanka working with coconuts and was shocked to see trees without fruit when he arrived in Hawaii.

Aunty Manu Aluli Meyer

A professor of indigenous epistemology who co-founded Niu Now with Gunasekara.

Jesse Mikasobe-Keali’inohomoku

A former Niu Now collaborator who now manages a coconut nursery for Elpaio’s Food Sovereignty Program in Waianae.

Mikey Kyser

A 46-year-old who grew up with coconuts in Puna on Hawaii island and is now documenting and “safeguarding” the ancient coconut varieties that grow in the area.

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What they’re saying

““If we don’t know what we have, if there is no record, no documentation, how are we going to know what we are losing?””

— Indrajit Gunasekara, Co-founder, Niu Now (staradvertiser.com)

““When you see the tree as an ornamental liability, you’re going to treat it like it’s a commodity. If you see the tree as a tree of life, you’re not going to put poison in it.””

— Aunty Manu Aluli Meyer, Co-founder, Niu Now (staradvertiser.com)

““The leaves changed color, but it’s a beautiful color. I want to celebrate this beautiful color, even though its a result of this bug that’s killing all the trees.””

— Calvin Hoe (staradvertiser.com)

What’s next

The Big Island Invasive Species Committee plans to collaborate more with cultural practitioners like Niu Now to develop chemical-free options for managing the coconut rhinoceros beetle as the pest continues to spread to the Big Island.

The takeaway

Niu Now's efforts to plant new coconut groves and preserve the genetic diversity of Hawaii's coconut trees are crucial to protecting this vital part of the state's cultural heritage and biodiversity in the face of the devastating coconut rhinoceros beetle infestation.