Coffee

Coffee Leaf Rust Has Spread to All Major Hawaiian Islands

August 10, 2021Kelly Getzelman
leaf rust

Coffee leaf rust is a devastating coffee-plant disease and is established in all major coffee-growing areas of the world, including the island of Maui. Photo courtesy of the Kapalua Resort via Flickr.

The Hawaii Department of Agriculture confirmed July 20 that coffee leaf rust, or CLR, has now reached the Hawaiian islands of Kauai and Molokai. “The severe coffee plant pathogen has now been found on all major Hawaiian Islands,” according to an HDOA news release.


Coffee leaf rust is a devastating coffee pathogen discovered in Sri Lanka in 1869. It can cause severe coffee-plant defoliation, which leads to significantly reduced photosynthetic capacity.


Depending on the extent of the infection, both the coffee-tree growth and cherry production can be severely affected. One of the long-term effects of CLR is dieback, a symptom of root damage in the coffee trees, which affects the following year’s crop numbers. Crop losses from dieback are estimated to range from 30% to 80%.


A coffee plant in the Hawaiian Islands showing leaf rust spots. Photo courtesy of the Hawaii Board of Agriculture.


The first reports of CLR in the state of Hawaii emerged in October 2020 and affected the islands of Hawaii and Maui. By January of 2021, the disease had spread to the islands of Oahu and Lanai. Initial assessments suggest the pathogen has been on the island of Kauai for at least six months.


After the first CLR detection, the Hawaii Board of Agriculture “approved an interim administrative rule which restricted the movement of coffee plants, plant parts and other CLR hosts from infected islands to try to stop the spread of the disease,” according to the HDOA release. “With the detection of CLR statewide, HDOA is reassessing these restrictions.”


The Environmental Protection Agency recently approved the Hawaii Department of Agriculture’s emergency request to allow area coffee growers to use a specific fungicide against the CLR pathogen.


CLR was first detected in the state of Hawaii in October 2020 on the islands of Hawaii and Maui. In January 2021, it was detected on Oahu and Lanai. Photo courtesy of the University of Hawaii.


On Aug. 27, the College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources at the University of Hawaii at Manoa will host a live question-and-answer session about coffee leaf rust and its management. The event will take place at the Kula Agricultural Park on the island of Maui.









According to the event’s official website, discussion topics may include CLR biology; the prevention of CLR spread; monitoring and early detection; managing CLR via sanitation, tree and soil health, pruning, and spraying; and informational resources.








The Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources Cooperative Extension team provides outreach to farmers for managing coffee pests, diseases, and problems within the state of Hawaii.


Read Next: A Brief History of Trying (in Vain) To Replace Coffee With Chicory



Kelly Getzelman
Kelly Getzelman

Kelly Getzelman is a former staff writer for Coffee or Die Magazine. A retired Navy SEAL chief petty officer, Getzelman has nearly two decades of special operations experience and is always ready to ship out on his next epic coffee adventure.

More from Coffee or Die Magazine
Military
Military Moves To Cut Suicides, But Defers Action on Guns

In a memo released Thursday, Austin called for the establishment of a suicide prevention working gro...

March 17, 2023Associated Press
us military drills japan-south korea
Intel
US, Partners Stage Military Drills Amid Japan-South Korea Talks

The Sea Dragon 23 exercises that started on Wednesday will culminate in more than 270 hours of in-fl...

March 17, 2023Associated Press
leo jenkins a word like god
Entertainment
‘A Word Like God’: New Book From Army Ranger Leo Jenkins

In his latest poetry collection, Ranger-turned-writer Leo Jenkins turns away from war to explore cosmic themes of faith, fatherhood, and art.

March 16, 2023Mac Caltrider
us drone
Intel
Pentagon Video Shows Russian Jet Dumping Fuel on US Drone

The Pentagon on Thursday released video of what it said was a Russian fighter jet dumping fuel on a ...

March 16, 2023Associated Press
10th Mountain Division
History
‘Climb to Glory’ — A History of the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division

From the mountains of Italy to the mountains of Afghanistan, the US Army’s 10th Mountain Division built its legendary reputation by fighting in some of the most inhospitable places in the world.

March 16, 2023Matt Fratus
iraq invasion 20 years later
Military
Why US Troops Remain in Iraq 20 Years After 'Shock and Awe'

The roughly 2,500 U.S. troops are scattered around the country, largely in military installations in Baghdad and in the north.

March 15, 2023Associated Press
Ohio train derailment
First Responders
BRCC Donates Coffee to Towns Ravaged by Train Wreck and Historic Storms

Americans living in East Palestine, Ohio, and central Oklahoma are recovering from February disaster...

March 15, 2023Jenna Biter
Coffee Or Die Photo
Military
DOD Official Says Sub Agreement Will Help Guarantee Free, Open Indo-Pacific

Mara E. Karlin, performing the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, said the agree...

  • About Us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Careers
Contact Us
  • Request a Correction
  • Write for Us
  • General Inquiries
© 2023 Coffee or Die Magazine. All Rights Reserved