Coffee Berry Disease 
Not known to occur in Hawaii
​​Colletotrichum kahawae or coffee berry disease, is a fungal pathogen not yet found on the Hawaiian islands.

​General pathogen description: 
Coffee berry disease is a fungus that affects all stages of coffee plant growth, but most obviously appears as small, dark, sunken, brown spots on the green berry. These spots can spread over the entire berry, causing mummification. Fungal sporulation is evident by a pale pink crust on the lesion. The spores are then typically transferred either by water, insects, or with movement through the coffee field and during harvest.

Plant damage:
Berries may not ripen properly, become raisins or dried, and may remain attached to the branch. Yield is reduced. There may be an increase in floater berries and raisins. Coffee quality may be negatively impacted if infected berries and raisins are allowed through processing and with the roasted product.  
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 provide them to 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 at the farm.
  • 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.
Contact website management if you require any assistance with the site or information provided.