Hawaii Considers Allowing Residents to Kill Feral Chickens

Lawmakers propose measures to address growing wild chicken population in Honolulu

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Feral chickens have become a nuisance for many residents in Hawaii, with the birds damaging property, making noise, and posing risks to public safety. State lawmakers are now considering measures that would allow residents to kill the wild chickens, deem them a "controllable pest" on public land in Honolulu, and fine people for feeding or releasing them in parks. However, the proposals have faced opposition from some who view the chickens as a cultural symbol.

Why it matters

The feral chicken problem in Hawaii highlights the challenges communities face in balancing public concerns over nuisance wildlife with cultural and environmental considerations. As the wild chicken population continues to grow, the debate over how to effectively manage them has become increasingly contentious.

The details

Honolulu has spent thousands of dollars trapping the feral chickens, but the efforts have had little impact on the growing population. Lawmakers are now considering measures that would allow residents to kill the chickens, as well as fine people for feeding or releasing them in parks. However, some cultural practitioners and animal advocates oppose the killing of the chickens, arguing that they are descended from those brought to the islands by early Polynesian voyagers and hold cultural significance.

  • The feral chicken problem in Hawaii has been ongoing for years, with the population growing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
  • Honolulu has been contracting with a pest-control company to trap chickens, with more than 1,300 caught through the program last year.

The players

Mason Aiona

A retiree in Honolulu who has been dealing with the feral chickens in his neighborhood for years, spending time shooing them away and scolding people who feed them.

Kealoha Pisciotta

A Hawaiian cultural practitioner and animal advocate who disagrees with killing the feral chickens, arguing that they are descended from those brought to the islands by early Polynesian voyagers and hold cultural significance.

Rep. Scot Matayoshi

A Democratic state representative from the Honolulu suburb of Kaneohe who has been crafting chicken control legislation after hearing from a teacher that the birds were harassing students.

Rep. Jackson Sayama

A Democratic state representative who introduced a bill to allow residents to kill the feral chickens, stating that there are currently limited ways to get rid of them.

Honolulu Department of Customer Services

The department that contracts with a pest-control company to trap chickens, with a 51% increase in complaints about feral chickens in 2025.

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What they’re saying

“The moa is very significant. They were on our voyaging, came with us.”

— Kealoha Pisciotta, Hawaiian cultural practitioner and animal advocate

“The children were afraid of them, and they would kind of more aggressively go after the children for food.”

— Scot Matayoshi, State Representative

“If you want to go old-school, just break the chicken's neck, that's perfectly fine. There's many different ways you can do it.”

— Jackson Sayama, State Representative

What’s next

The state legislature is expected to continue debating the various proposals to address the feral chicken problem in Hawaii, with a focus on finding a balanced approach that addresses public concerns while also respecting cultural and environmental considerations.

The takeaway

The feral chicken issue in Hawaii underscores the complex challenges communities face in managing nuisance wildlife, as efforts to control the population have proven difficult and controversial. As the debate continues, stakeholders will need to work together to find a solution that addresses the needs of residents while also preserving the cultural and environmental significance of the chickens.