Hawaii Residents Seek Relief from Feral Chickens

State lawmakers consider measures to address growing wild chicken problem in Honolulu neighborhoods.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Residents in Honolulu, Hawaii are growing increasingly frustrated with the proliferation of feral chickens in their neighborhoods, which are causing property damage, noise disturbances, and safety concerns for local children. State lawmakers are now considering legislation that would allow residents to kill the wild chickens, designate them as a "controllable pest" on public land, and fine people for feeding or releasing them in parks.

Why it matters

The issue of feral chickens has become a divisive one in Hawaii, with some residents seeing the birds as a cultural symbol that should be protected, while others view them as a nuisance that needs to be addressed. The proposed legislation highlights the challenge of balancing cultural preservation with practical concerns over public safety and property damage.

The details

Honolulu has spent thousands of dollars trapping feral chickens, but the problem persists, with a 51% increase in complaints about the birds in 2025. Residents like Mason Aiona have tried various methods to deter the chickens, including catching them and relocating them, using leaf blowers, and even offering them up for free to anyone who wants them. However, these efforts have proven largely futile. The proposed legislation would give residents more options to address the issue, including allowing them to kill the chickens and fining those who feed or release them in parks.

  • The crowing from wild chickens starts as early as 3 a.m. in some Honolulu neighborhoods.
  • Honolulu's chicken trapping program saw a 51% increase in complaints about feral chickens in 2025.

The players

Mason Aiona

A 74-year-old retiree living in Honolulu who has been dealing with the feral chicken problem for over a decade.

Kealoha Pisciotta

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

Rep. Scot Matayoshi

A Democratic state representative from the Honolulu suburb of Kaneohe who has been working on chicken control legislation after hearing from a local elementary school teacher about the birds harassing students.

Rep. Jackson Sayama

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

Harold Nedd

A spokesperson for the Honolulu Department of Customer Services, which contracts with a pest-control company to trap and remove feral chickens.

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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 vote on the proposed legislation addressing the feral chicken problem in the coming months.

The takeaway

The feral chicken issue in Hawaii highlights the challenge of balancing cultural preservation with practical concerns over public safety and property damage. The proposed legislation aims to provide residents with more options to address the growing problem, but it has also sparked debate over the appropriate way to handle the situation.