Hawaii Considers Allowing Residents to Kill Wild Chickens

Lawmakers propose measures to address growing feral chicken problem in Honolulu communities

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Residents in Hawaii, particularly in the Honolulu area, have been dealing with an increasing population of wild chickens that have become a nuisance, with issues like early morning crowing, aggressive pecking, and damage to yards. State lawmakers are now considering measures that would allow residents to kill the feral chickens, deem them a "controllable pest" on public land, and fine people for feeding or releasing them in parks. However, the proposal faces opposition from some who view the chickens as a cultural symbol.

Why it matters

The feral chicken problem has become a major issue for many Hawaii residents, with the birds causing property damage, disrupting sleep, and even harassing children. The proposed legislation aims to give residents more options to address the growing population, but it has sparked debate over the cultural significance of the chickens and whether killing them should be a last resort.

The details

Honolulu has spent thousands of dollars trapping the wild chickens, but the problem persists. The proposed measures would allow residents to kill the feral chickens, deem them a "controllable pest" on public land in Honolulu, and fine people for feeding or releasing them in parks. However, some, like Hawaiian cultural practitioner Kealoha Pisciotta, argue that the chickens are culturally significant and should not be killed simply because they are a nuisance.

  • The crowing from the wild chickens starts well before sunrise, around 3 a.m., in Mason Aiona's Honolulu neighborhood.
  • Honolulu's city-contracted pest control company trapped more than 1,300 chickens in 2025, a 51% increase in complaints from the previous year.

The players

Mason Aiona

A 74-year-old retiree living in Honolulu who has been dealing with the growing feral chicken population in his neighborhood for about a decade.

Kealoha Pisciotta

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

Rep. Scot Matayoshi

A Democratic state representative from the Honolulu suburb of Kaneohe who started 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 city department that contracts with a pest-control company to trap and remove feral chickens, with a weeklong service costing $375 plus additional fees.

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What they’re saying

“It's a big problem. And they're multiplying.”

— Mason Aiona, Honolulu resident

“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 proposed measures to address the feral chicken problem in Hawaii, with a focus on finding a balance between addressing the nuisance and respecting the cultural significance of the birds.

The takeaway

The feral chicken issue in Hawaii highlights the challenges communities can face when dealing with invasive species that have become entrenched, and the need to consider both practical and cultural factors when developing solutions.