Nuisance Wildlife Laws in Hawaii: What Property Owners Need to Know

Hawaii’s approach to nuisance wildlife is unlike anything you’ll encounter on the mainland. The islands are home to some of the world’s most endangered native species, and that ecological reality shapes every rule governing how you can respond when an animal becomes a problem on your property.

Whether you’re dealing with feral pigs rooting up your yard, mongooses raiding your garden, or roosters crowing at 3 a.m., the state has specific laws that determine what you can and cannot do. Getting it wrong can mean serious fines or criminal charges — so understanding the framework before you act is worth your time.

This guide walks you through Hawaii’s nuisance wildlife laws, your rights as a property owner, and the steps required to handle problem animals legally and safely.

What Counts as Nuisance Wildlife in Hawaii

Hawaii does not use a single, unified statutory definition of “nuisance wildlife” the way some mainland states do. Instead, the term is distributed across several layers of law: state statutes, Hawaii Administrative Rules (HAR), county ordinances, and agency policy under the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR).

At the state level, the DLNR regulates the transport and release of wildlife and manages aquatic and terrestrial resources. Within that framework, Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 124 defines “injurious wildlife” as any species or subspecies of animal, except game birds and game mammals, which is known to be harmful to agriculture, aquaculture, indigenous wildlife or plants, or constitutes a nuisance or health hazard.

At the county level, ordinances fill in the gaps for domestic and feral animals. Animal nuisance offenses typically include unreasonable noise such as barking dogs or crowing roosters, dog bites, or exceeding the allowable animal limits per household. In practice, the animals most commonly reported as nuisances by Hawaii property owners include feral pigs, mongooses, feral cats, roosters, rats, and axis deer.

Under HRS Chapter 183D, “predators” are defined as animals destructive of wildlife by nature of their predatory habits, including mongooses, cats, dogs, and rats. This classification matters because it affects how these animals can be controlled and by whom.

Key Insight: Hawaii’s nuisance wildlife rules are island-specific in practice. An animal that can be freely trapped and relocated on the mainland may be classified as injurious wildlife in Hawaii, triggering strict permit requirements the moment you attempt to move it.

Your Rights as a Property Owner in Hawaii

As a Hawaii property owner, you have the right to protect your land, crops, and structures from wildlife damage — but that right is more constrained here than in most states. Hawaii’s extraordinary biodiversity and the presence of dozens of federally and state-listed endangered species mean that broad “self-help” remedies common elsewhere are tightly regulated.

You can take reasonable steps to exclude wildlife from your property through fencing, netting, and habitat modification without a permit. You can also report nuisance animals to your county animal control agency or to DLNR’s Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement (DOCARE). You can report violations to DLNR DOCARE at 643-DLNR (643-3567), or via the DLNRTip app.

When it comes to game mammals — including feral pigs, goats, sheep, and deer — no person shall hunt, pursue, kill, or take any game bird or mammal without first procuring a hunting license; provided that no license shall be required of persons who may be authorized in writing by the board to destroy game birds or game mammals injurious to forest growth or agriculture, or that constitute a nuisance or a health hazard. That written authorization from the Board of Land and Natural Resources is not automatic — you need to apply for it.

For animals classified as predators under state law, county ordinances may give you somewhat more flexibility, but you should always confirm current rules with your county’s animal services division before taking any action beyond exclusion. Rules vary between Honolulu, Maui, Hawaii County, and Kauai.

Legal Methods for Removing Nuisance Wildlife in Hawaii

The legally available methods for removing nuisance wildlife in Hawaii depend heavily on the species involved and whether you hold the appropriate authorization. In general, the state recognizes three categories of lawful removal: exclusion, trapping under permit, and lethal control under permit or hunting license.

Exclusion is always your first and least regulated option. Installing pig-proof fencing, sealing entry points to structures, removing food sources, and using motion-activated deterrents require no permit and carry no legal risk. For many property owners, exclusion combined with habitat modification resolves the problem without escalating to trapping or lethal methods.

Trapping is more complex. Under HAR 13-124-3(d), no person shall transport injurious wildlife to islands or locations within the State where they are not already established and living in a wild state, or export any such species from the State. This means that even if you successfully trap an animal, what you do with it afterward is tightly restricted.

Lethal control of game mammals requires either a valid hunting license or written board authorization. There are 21 species of game birds and mammals in Hawaii, each with its own DLNR-managed hunting season, and DOFAW supports and facilitates hunting on public and private lands in less ecologically sensitive areas while providing structured hunter access to sites where recreational hunting can help control game mammal populations. On private land, you may be able to arrange permitted hunting as a practical control strategy.

Pro Tip: Contact DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) before setting any trap for a game mammal on your property. The rules around trapping feral pigs, goats, and deer differ from county to county and from one land classification to another.

For animals not classified as game — such as rats, mice, and certain invasive birds — standard pest control methods including snap traps, poison bait stations, and exclusion devices are generally available to property owners, though you should confirm that any rodenticide or pesticide you use is registered for use in Hawaii and applied in compliance with state Department of Agriculture rules.

Relocation Rules in Hawaii

Relocation is one of the most misunderstood areas of Hawaii wildlife law, and it is far more restricted here than on the mainland. The instinct to “catch and release somewhere else” can actually expose you to significant legal liability in Hawaii.

Under statutory authorities provided by Chapter 183D, Hawaii Revised Statutes, DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife maintains Hawaii Administrative Rules Chapter 124, which defines injurious wildlife as any species or subspecies of animal except game birds and game mammals which is known to be harmful to agriculture, aquaculture, indigenous wildlife or plants, or constitute a nuisance or health hazard. Releasing or transporting these listed species without a DLNR permit is prohibited.

The prohibition on inter-island transport is especially strict. It is prohibited to transport injurious wildlife to islands or locations within the State where they are not already established and living in a wild state. This means you cannot, for example, trap a mongoose on Maui and release it on another island — even if you believe you are solving a problem. Doing so could introduce a predator to an island ecosystem currently free of that species.

For game mammals like feral pigs, relocation to another property — even a neighboring farm — requires coordination with DLNR and, in most cases, explicit written authorization. The practical result is that for most property owners, relocation is not a realistic DIY option. Lethal control through permitted hunting, or professional removal by a licensed operator, is the more legally defensible path.

Animal Type	Relocation Allowed?	Permit Required?	Notes
Feral pigs (game mammal)	Rarely	Yes — DLNR authorization	Lethal control via hunting license more common
Mongooses (predator/injurious)	No	N/A — prohibited	Cannot transport to new islands or locations
Feral cats (predator)	Limited	County-dependent	TNR programs exist in some counties
Rats/mice	No practical need	No (lethal control permitted)	Standard pest control methods apply
Axis deer (game mammal)	Restricted	Yes — DLNR authorization	Primarily managed through hunting seasons

Species With Special Rules in Hawaii

Hawaii’s unique ecology means that several species carry layers of protection — or, conversely, are subject to active control programs — that you will not find in any other state. Understanding which animals fall into which category can save you from an expensive mistake.

Feral Pigs

The feral pig (Sus scrofa) is classified as a game mammal under HRS Chapter 183D, which means it is legally huntable but also legally protected from unlicensed killing. Introduced by Polynesians and later Europeans, feral pigs have become one of Hawaii’s most destructive invasive species; these descendants of both Asian and domestic pigs uproot native plants, accelerate erosion, and create breeding grounds for mosquitoes in their wallows, and their digging behavior spreads invasive plant seeds and destroys the understory of Hawaiian forests. Despite the damage they cause, you must have a valid hunting license or DLNR board authorization to kill one on your property.

Mongooses

The small Indian mongoose (Herpestes javanicus) arrived in Hawaii in the 1880s. In what stands as one of history’s great ecological miscalculations, the mongoose was intentionally introduced to Hawaii in the 1880s to control rat populations in sugar cane fields; unfortunately, rats are nocturnal while mongooses are active during the day, so they rarely encountered each other. Today, mongooses are classified as both predators and injurious wildlife under state law. Although mongooses occur on Hawaii, Maui, and Molokai, Kauai does not yet have an established mongoose population, so predator control priorities there are different. Transporting a live mongoose between islands is strictly prohibited.

The Nene (Hawaiian Goose)

The nene (Branta sandvicensis), Hawaii’s state bird, carries federal protection as a threatened species. If nene are present on or near your property, you have essentially no self-help options. Any action that harms, harasses, or kills a nene — even unintentionally — can trigger federal Endangered Species Act liability in addition to state penalties. Predation by nonnative mammals such as mongoose, cats, dogs, rats, and pigs is one of the primary threats to the nene. If nene are causing property conflicts, contact DLNR or the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service for guidance before taking any action.

Wild Birds Generally

Most wild birds in Hawaii are protected under both state law and the federal Migratory Bird Treaty Act. “Wild birds” under HRS Chapter 183D means birds other than game birds, living in a wild and undomesticated state, and the young and eggs of those birds. You cannot trap, harm, or possess wild birds without a federal and state permit, even if they are causing crop damage. Contact DLNR’s Wildlife Program for a depredation permit if birds are causing significant agricultural losses.

Injurious Wildlife (Snakes, Certain Reptiles, and Exotic Species)

The list of injurious wildlife in Hawaii includes all species in the order Serpentes (all snakes, with limited exceptions), all species in the Family Teiidae, all species in the Order Testudines (all freshwater turtles and tortoises), and all species in the subfamily Varanoidea (monitor lizards and Gila monsters). If you encounter any of these animals on your property, do not attempt to handle or relocate them yourself. Contact DLNR DOCARE immediately.

Important Note: Hawaii has no native land snakes. Any snake you encounter is an illegal invasive animal. Report it to DLNR DOCARE at 643-DLNR (643-3567) right away — possession or transport of a snake in Hawaii carries serious criminal penalties.

When You Need a Licensed Wildlife Control Operator in Hawaii

Hawaii does not operate a state-issued “nuisance wildlife control operator” (NWCO) license program identical to those found in states like Ohio or Michigan. Instead, professional wildlife control in Hawaii is regulated through a combination of DLNR permits, pest control licensing under the Department of Agriculture, and county animal control frameworks.

If you need professional help, the person or company you hire should hold a valid Hawaii pest control operator license issued by the Hawaii Department of Agriculture for any work involving pesticides or rodenticides. For game mammal removal involving lethal control, the operator must either hold a valid hunting license with appropriate tags or carry written DLNR authorization for the specific property and species involved.

You should strongly consider hiring a professional when:

• Feral pigs are causing repeated, significant crop or property damage and exclusion alone is insufficient
• A mongoose is denning under a structure or in close proximity to poultry or livestock
• You need to document removal activity to satisfy a DLNR permit condition or submit a required activity report
• The animal involved may be protected under state or federal law and you are uncertain of its status
• You are dealing with a snake or other injurious wildlife that requires immediate professional intervention

The primary permittee is directly responsible and accountable for all activities under a DLNR wildlife control permit and must submit a report of animal control activities to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife. A licensed professional familiar with Hawaii’s reporting requirements can help you stay compliant with this obligation.

For situations involving feral cats, many counties in Hawaii have recognized Trap-Neuter-Return (TNR) programs operated by humane societies and rescue organizations. The Hawaiian Humane Society on Oahu is a primary resource for cat-related nuisance issues in Honolulu County. County-level animal services offices on Maui, Hawaii Island, and Kauai handle similar calls in their jurisdictions.

Penalties for Violating Nuisance Wildlife Laws in Hawaii

Hawaii enforces its wildlife laws through three parallel systems, and violations can result in civil fines, criminal charges, or both — sometimes simultaneously.

Statutes and rules related to the Division of Forestry and Wildlife can be enforced through three systems: the Civil Resource Violation System (CRVS), which allows DOCARE officers to issue civil monetary penalties; the criminal enforcement system, where some violations carry criminal penalties including fines and jail time processed by the Hawaii District Court System; and Board Actions, where administrative penalties can be issued by the Board of Land and Natural Resources.

DLNR may seek a combination of civil or criminal penalties, or board actions, for violations of its rules and statutes. This means a single incident — say, transporting a mongoose between islands — could result in a civil fine from DOCARE, a criminal citation processed through district court, and a separate administrative penalty from the Land Board.

The Civil Resource Violation System enables DOCARE officers to issue civil penalties via a ticket (a notice of violation), which is a monetary fine that can be paid via the DLNR Administrative Proceedings Office rather than requiring the violator to go through the court system. Think of it as similar to a parking ticket for lower-level violations.

At the county level, animal nuisance violations carry their own escalating fines. Because fines escalate with each succeeding violation, the previous offense history must be determined before citing. A first-offense barking dog citation is very different from a third-offense citation, and the same principle applies to other animal nuisance violations across Hawaii’s counties.

Federal penalties apply on top of state and county fines when a federally protected species is involved. Harming, harassing, or killing a threatened or endangered species — including the nene, Hawaiian monk seal, or any of Hawaii’s many protected seabirds — can result in federal fines up to $50,000 per violation and potential imprisonment under the Endangered Species Act and the Migratory Bird Treaty Act.

Important Note: If you are unsure whether an animal on your property is protected under state or federal law, stop and call DLNR DOCARE at 643-DLNR (643-3567) before taking any action. The cost of a phone call is far lower than the cost of an enforcement action.

Hawaii’s nuisance wildlife laws reflect the islands’ extraordinary ecological stakes. The rules are stricter here than in virtually any other state, but they exist for good reason: Hawaii has more endangered species per square mile than anywhere else in the United States. Knowing what you can and cannot do — and calling the right agency when you are unsure — protects both your property and the native species that make Hawaii unlike anywhere else on Earth.

If you want to compare how other states handle these issues, see our guides on nuisance wildlife laws in California, nuisance wildlife laws in Florida, and nuisance wildlife laws in Washington for regional context.