Funding for Aloha Animal Alliance's TNR Program

We have been actively monitoring interactions between feral cats and protected wildlife in Hawaiʻi County for the past few years. Our data from sites like Liliʻuokalani Park, Wailoa State Recreation Area, Waikōloa, and Queen’s Marketplace show that feral cat feeding stations attract Nēnē, leading to increased risks of vehicle collisions, predation, disease transmission (e.g., toxoplasmosis), and behavioral changes, such as altered migration patterns and nesting near feeding sites.

Engagement with Aloha Animal Alliance’s TNR Plan
In January 2025, Nene.org was invited to collaborate on a pilot program proposed by the Aloha Animal Alliance (AAA) to implement Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) for feral cats in Hawaiʻi County, including at Wailoa and Banyan Drive. The plan involved county-sanctioned feeding stations, Nēnē-proof feeders, and spay/neuter programs, funded by taxpayer dollars. While Nene.org participated in meetings and offered solutions, including free AI-driven cat tracking technology, our concerns were not adequately addressed, and our contributions were sidelined.

Key issues raised by Nene.org included:

• Lack of Data: No robust baseline assessment of cat populations was conducted, undermining the ability to measure success.
• Ineffective Regulations: Without stricter laws on pet abandonment, mandatory spay/neuter, and feeding bans, TNRM fails to address cat population growth. Despite mediation efforts, AAA moved forward without incorporating Nene.org’s expertise, prompting our withdrawal from the project in April 2025 to focus on enforcement and compliance to protect native species.

Nene.org’s Position
Nene.org opposes the county-funded TNRM plan due to its ecological and legal risks to native wildlife. We support humane alternatives like trap-neuter-adopt, open-intake shelters, and enclosed sanctuaries, alongside stricter regulations on pet ownership. Releasing sterilized cats into sensitive areas like Banyan Drive and Liliʻuokalani Park is unsustainable and threatens Hawaiʻi’s biodiversity, given the state’s high extinction rate.

Why TNR Doesn’t Work in Hawaiʻi County
TNR programs fail to reduce feral cat populations in open systems like Hawaiʻi County, where pet abandonment and immigration persist. Our data shows Nēnē exhibit strong site fidelity, continuing to visit feeding sites even after food removal, as seen at Queen’s Marketplace. Feeding stations concentrate cats, attracting Nēnē and predators like mongooses, exacerbating risks to protected species. Without addressing root causes—pet abandonment, lack of enforcement, and open populations—TNRM perpetuates harm to native wildlife, making it an unsuitable solution for Hawaiʻi’s unique ecological challenges.

Call to Action
We urge the public to submit testimony opposing county funding for AAA’s TNRM plan. Protecting our native species requires science-based, collaborative solutions that prioritize biodiversity over unsustainable practices. Join us in advocating for responsible policies that safeguard Hawaiʻi’s natural heritage.