Common Coffee Problems in Hawaii

Prior to the discovery of Coffee Berry Borer (Hypothenemus hampei) in Hawaii, there were few major coffee pest and disease problems for farmers. The CTAHR booklet, Growing Coffee in Hawaii, provides an array of information on the basics of establishing a farm and growing, producing, and processing coffee. Common pests and disease problems of Hawaii-grown coffee is also mentioned. For further details, please read Pest Management Strategic Plan for Coffee Production in Hawaii to learn about the different current and potentially new invasive introductions of coffee pests and diseases as well as their control and management strategies identified for each.
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Although not yet found in Hawaii, Coffee Leaf Miner (Leucoptera coffeella), Coffee Berry Disease (Colletotrichum kahawae), Coffee Wilt Disease (​​​Gibberella xylarioides), and Coffee White Stem Borer (Xylotrechus quadripes) are other critical and devastating insect pests and diseases of coffee found world-wide. 
What do I do if I suspect one of these NKO insect pests or diseases?
​Click HERE.
Self-Diagnosing Your Coffee Problem
You can submit a sample (instructions below) or try to self-diagnose your coffee problem. Locate your major symptom(s) and click on the possible problem(s) associated with plant part(s) below. There may be one or more reason for the problem or symptoms you see and the exact reason(s) may not be listed below. Contact your local UH CTAHR Cooperative Extension office for assistance.
Whole-plant Dieback:
Vertical (upright branches) Dieback:
Lateral (side or horizontal branches) Dieback:
Leaf or Leaves:
Leaf cont.
Leaf cont.​
Berries/Fruits
Berries/Fruits cont.
Collecting Plant Disease and Insect Pest Samples for Problem Diagnostics
Learn how to best collect and submit disease, insect pest and nematode samples to the UH Agricultural Diagnostic Service Center (ADSC) for diagnosis. 
  • General directions on collecting samples  - Collecting Plant Disease and Insect Pest Samples for Problem Diagnosis
    • Submit at least 2.5 cups of roots and soil each for nematode samples
    • Submit at least 2 cups of soil for S1 (pH and salinity) tests ​
  • As of 8/16/23: ADSC Hilo analytical service fees for insect, disease, virus, fungi, nematode, and S1 (pH and salinity) tests 
    • GMO papaya testing of leaf tissue and seeds by the Hilo ADSC is available. The cost is $15 for the first sample and additional samples are $3.00 each up to 250 samples. 
Coffee Leaf and Soil Sampling
Learn how to correctly sample and submit coffee leaf and soil samples for proper analysis of plant nutritional status and and soil pH and nutrient status.
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