Coffee Leaf Rust (Hemileia vastatrix) 
Officially confirmed to be found on Oahu, Maui, Lanai and Kona (Hawaii Island).

Coffee Leaf Rust Trifold Brochure
Published 2/17/21
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Page 1
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Page 2
Pruning Methods for the Management of Coffee Leaf Rust and Coffee Berry Borer in Hawaii
Published 2/10/21
The following publication provides information for Hawaii coffee growers about pruning methods for the management of coffee leaf rust (CLR) and coffee berry borer (CBB). This article includes:
  • Reasons for pruning
  • ​Needs prior to pruning (strip-picking, spraying, etc.)
  • Pruning styles for CLR and CBB control
  • Disposal of plant materials infected by CLR and CBB
  • Examples of various common pruning systems used in Hawaii
Coffee Leaf Rust Poster
Published 1/20/21, revised 2/5/21
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Front of poster. Click to download.
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Back of poster. Click to download.
Surveying, Sampling, and Monitoring of Coffee Leaf Rust is Essential for Early Disease Control in Hawaii
Published 12/20/20
Approved contact fungicides can be used to control Coffee Leaf Rust (CLR), but these have little to no effect on advanced stages of CLR leaf infection. So, the timing of the applications and coverage are extremely important. If CLR is allowed to continue uncontrolled or is improperly addressed, an increase in spore population in the farm is expected, and leaves will be lost. Yields in the first season with CLR infection are frequently not affected; however, due to diminished tree health and vegetative growth, coffee production in subsequent years will be severely reduced and tree death can occur. Hence, active surveying, sampling, and monitoring for presence of this disease on farms is critical for early detection, maximizing fungicide applications, and reducing CLR impact on farm productivity and profitability. 
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The photos below, show EARLY SYMPTOMS of CLR - pale yellow spots with little to no visible spores; no brown, necrotic center. Your goal is to be able to locate and identify CLR as early as possible and then spray with approved fungicides to control CLR below 5% incidence.

Click here for the most recent publication titled "Surveying, Sampling, and Monitoring of Coffee Leaf Rust (Hemileia vastatrix) for Early Disease Control in Hawaii".
Proper Pesticide Use is of Extreme Importance to Prevent Pesticide Resistance by Coffee Leaf Rust and Other Coffee Diseases
Published 11/4/20; Updated 1/6/21
The following publication provides important information for Hawaii coffee growers, about the proper methods of spraying to suppress coffee leaf rust (CLR) while preventing pesticide resistance by rust and other diseases on farms. The article includes:
  • ​List of fungicides currently licensed by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture with directions for use on coffee grown in Hawaii.
  • ​Some symptoms of CLR
  • Why spray to suppress CLR
  • Proper spray techniques and coverage
  • How to properly rotate the use of pesticide products
  • Spraying anthracnose, cercospora, and CLR
  • Following product label directions
  • Minimum and maximum rates per application and per year or season
  • Other considerations such as spreader/sticker and other additions to a fungicide solution

Click here to download the English version.
Click here to download the Spanish version.
Click here to download the Tagalog version.
Click here to download the Ilocano version.
Coffee Leaf Rust Field Guide and Submission Form
Click ​here​​ to download the complete field guide and submission form.
January 2021 - Coffee Leaf Rust New Pest Advisory (5 pages)
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Click to download the advisory.
November 10, 2020
HDOA Release Re: Coffee Leaf Rust Confirmed on Hawaii Island 
Coffee Leaf Rust Photo Slideshow
October 30, 2020
HDOA Release Re: Coffee Leaf Rust Confirmed on Maui and Tentatively Found on Hawaii Island
October 29, 2020
HDOA Memo Re: Coffee Leaf Rust Tentatively Identified on Hawaii Island
October 26, 2020
HDOA Release Re: Coffee Leaf Rust Tentatively Found on Maui
October 23, 2020 
HDOA Memo Re:  Coffee Leaf Rust Suspected on Maui
If suspected, what do I do?
  • Contact and report your find immediately to the Hawaii Department of Agriculture by calling their toll-free pest hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378) or by contacting your nearest UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension office (also listed below). Listen carefully to their instructions. Their instructions may supersede any of the instructions below.
    • ​Big Island - Kona - 808-322-4892;  Hilo - 808-969-8201;  Kamuela - 808-887-6183 
    • Maui - Kahului - 808-244-3242 x222
    • Molokai - Hoolehua - 808-567-6929 
    • Oahu - Honolulu - 808-956-7290;  Pearl City - 808-453-6050;  Wahiawa - 808-622-4185 
    • Kauai - Lihue - 808-274-3471 
  • DO NOT touch the diseased plant parts and DO NOT collect samples of this fungal pathogen or damaged plant parts to prevent potential spread.
  • If possible to do without touching the diseased plant parts, take clear photos and/or video and share them with HDOA and the Cooperative Extension agent.
  • Flag or visibly mark the area where the pest was found and communicate the find with all farm employees and administrators.
  • Keep people and pets away from the area and DO NOT allow movement of soil, plant materials or supplies from the location that the disease was found.
  • If you have touched or contaminated your clothing, footwear, hat, etc. with the fungal pathogen or think you may have, shower immediately with soap and water and wash your clothing, footwear, hat, etc. in laundry detergent and dry with high heat. Once decontaminated, then travel from your farm or location.
  • Provide HDOA and the Cooperative Extension agent with information such as your name and contact, the exact location and address of find, and type of host material where found. Personal information will not be shared with the general public.​
​​Preventing new pest and disease introductions to Hawaii
Comply with all HDOA and USDA quarantine regulations. Quarantine restrictions have been placed on unroasted coffee, coffee seeds, plants and other propagative materials, used coffee materials and supplies, etc.
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