Govind Tekale
The Hawaii County Council has passed a new law that will make it illegal to feed feral animals on county-owned property starting January 1, 2026. The controversial Bill 51, now called Ordinance No. 25-63, aims to protect native wildlife but has sparked heated debate across the island.
The measure passed with a 6-2 vote after intense public discussion. Council members Matt Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder, who introduced the bill, Holeka Goro Inaba, Dennis “Fresh” Onishi, Heather Kimball, James Hustace, and Rebecca Villegas voted in favor. Jennifer Kagiwada and Ashley Kierkiewicz opposed it, while Michelle Galimba was absent.
The new law targets feeding of feral animals including cats, pigs, chickens, and goats on all county-owned or managed lands like parks, beaches, and facilities. Violators will face a $50 fine for the first offense and up to $500 for additional violations.
Mayor Kimo Alameda allowed the bill to become law without his signature. He urged expanding access to spay and neuter programs as a more humane, sustainable approach to controlling animal populations.
Conservation groups like American Bird Conservancy (ABC) strongly supported the ban. Chris Farmer, Hawaii Program Director for ABC, called it “a powerful step for protecting Hawaii’s highly endangered birds.” The organization points out that outdoor cats kill approximately 2.4 billion birds annually in the United States alone, and feral cats introduced to islands worldwide have contributed to 33 species extinctions.
Supporters argue the ban addresses serious ecological and health concerns. Feral cats carry toxoplasmosis, a parasitic disease that threatens endangered native species like the nēnē (Hawaiian goose) and Hawaiian monk seals. A nēnē gosling died from toxoplasmosis at Liliʻuokalani Gardens in Hilo in 2024, confirmed by the USGS National Wildlife Health Center.
County Parks Director Clayton Honma noted that beyond the estimated 600 cats around Lili’uokalani Gardens, other feral animals damage county facilities. “It’s chickens and pigs tearing up our ballfields in county parks,” he said.
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Opposition to the bill was substantial, with 454 written testimonies against it compared to just 25 in support. An online petition gathered over 7,400 signatures, and opponents filled public hearings to voice concerns. Many called it a “starvation bill” that would be cruel to animals.
Animal advocates like the Hawaiian Humane Society argued for a different approach. They supported a community cat caretaker program and Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) strategies instead. Steph Kendrick from the Hawaiian Humane Society warned, “If free-roaming cats don’t have a human food source, the cats aren’t going to vanish, they are going to survive.”
The controversy even drew celebrity attention. Priscilla Presley publicly opposed the law, threatening to boycott the Big Island and encouraging others to do the same.
An earlier version of the bill included an amendment allowing certified cat caretakers to continue feeding, but this was removed after legal concerns were raised during an executive session with the county’s Corporation Counsel.
Councilmember Kaneali’i-Kleinfelder emphasized that the bill doesn’t specifically target cats and addresses “a public safety issue, protection of our indigenous species.” The January 2026 effective date allows time before enforcement begins.
With approximately 50,000 stray cats estimated to be roaming the Big Island, the new ordinance represents a significant shift in how Hawaii County addresses its feral animal populations. As implementation approaches, both conservation and animal welfare groups continue to advocate for their preferred management strategies.
