State regulators are reminding the public that new rules will slap heavy fines on those who introduce new wildlife to the islands.
Laws that went into effect Feb. 27 lay out fines up to $25,000 and seizure of equipment, aircraft, vehicles and vessels used in the violation.
The introduction of axis deer on the Big Island in 2009 by a Big Island hunter and rancher and a Maui pilot spurred the rule change, but officials with the state Department of Land and Natural Resources say other animals also are covered under the changes to Chapter 24, Indigenous Wildlife, Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Introduced Wild Birds.
“The movement of live, introduced wildlife such as was experienced in (2009) with discovery of deer on Hawaii Island, poses direct threats to our native ecosystems,” said Suzanne Case, DLNR interim chairwoman, in a press release this week. “The amendments made to this chapter will help prevent harm to our natural resources and economy.”
The rule change also gives DLNR greater power to eradicate animals deemed harmful.
“When species of introduced wildlife are found to be generally harmful or destructive to agriculture or aquaculture, native plants or wildlife, or constituting a threat to human health or safety, the board or its authorized representative may authorize the destruction or control of the species in any area for a specified time period without requiring permits or reports,” the law states.
The list of harmful animals introduced with good intentions to the islands is long, from mongoose that were brought to kill rats and instead targeted rare birds, to goats, sheep and cows that were introduced as livestock but devastated native forests. With the Hawaiian hoary bat as the island’s only endemic mammal, the scores of other furry and feathered creatures — from pigs to parrots — were introduced at one time, causing impacts to the ecosystem ranging from watershed erosion to predation of native species.
Springer Kaye, project manager for the Big Island Invasive Species Committee, applauded the new rules, saying they set clear guidelines and consequences. Kaye pointed out that the individuals who introduced axis deer to a Ka‘u ranch to boost sales for a hunting tour business didn’t know the deer caused millions of dollars in damage to Maui agriculture. BIISC coordinated a three-year, multi-agency eradication effort to remove the deer from the Big Island.
“The new language in this rule makes it very clear that introducing harmful wildlife to new parts of the state, whether for personal gain or with the best of intentions, is not pono — it will hurt your neighbors, farmers, your community, and it is illegal,” Kaye said. “At the same time, the rule expresses the department’s support for responsible recreational hunting of existing game animals. The overall tone is very positive.”
Hunters hired by the committee killed their fourth deer in Ka‘u in 2013. There have been no further confirmed sightings of the deer, Kaye said.
The public can download and view the amended rules at dlnr.hawaii.gov/dofaw/rules.
For more information, the public can contact Patrick Chee at 587-4191 or Patrick.C.Chee@hawaii.gov.
Email Bret Yager at byager@westhawaiitoday.com.
