Hawaii County Council bans feeding of feral animals on county property after hours of testimony

The Hawaii County Council on Wednesday approved an ordinance banning the feeding of feral or stray animals on county-owned, leased or managed property, voting 6-2 with one member absent after more than five hours of public testimony and debate.

Supporters of Bill 51 said the measure is intended to protect public health and Hawaii’s native wildlife by reducing food sources that sustain feral animal colonies in parks, beaches and other public spaces. Opponents said the vote criminalizes compassionate community members who feed and care for homeless cats and urged more investment in trap–neuter–return (TNR) programs, sanctuaries and spay/neuter access.

Council member Kanyeli Kleinfelder, the bill’s introducer, said the ordinance is not aimed solely at cats but at “feral animals” broadly and is meant to reduce the threat to endangered species and the public in shared spaces. “This bill does not and is not centered solely on cats,” Kleinfelder said during council debate. “The county continues to fund solutions. They have. They will continue to do so.”

The measure that passed was Bill 51, draft 3, as amended on the council floor. A notable change made immediately before the final vote removed language that would have exempted “certified community cat caretakers” and allowed for an authorized community-feeding program. Corporation Counsel provided a confidential legal memorandum to the…