The Hawaii Board of Agriculture and Biosecurity on Tuesday decided to move forward on a proposed rule halting the shipment of plants to Molokai to protect the island from coconut rhinoceros beetles.

While the rule has yet to be voted on, the board decided it should go on to the next step of undergoing an advisory review.

Molokai is the last populated island in the state still free from the invasive pest, which has decimated palms across Oahu, reached the shores of Kauai, Maui, Hawaii island — and most recently, Lanai .

Kunani and Ipo Nihipali, who are part of the Niu Now Molokai movement, in late July filed a petition with the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity asking for an interim rule prohibiting the transport of plants, soil, compost and other materials potentially

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