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Council approves $100,000 in grants for spay/neuter and rehoming; debate focuses on managed TNR approach
Summary
The council approved two $50,000 grants to Aloha Animal Alliance and Hawaii Island Humane Society for spay/neuter, transport and rehoming; members debated whether trap-neuter-return with managed feeding sites is the right strategy for parks and critical habitat.
The Hawaii County Council voted on May 21 to award two separate $50,000 grants to local animal welfare groups for sterilization, rehoming and transport work.
Resolution 140 (as amended) authorized a $50,000 grant to Aloha Animal Alliance to support a centrally managed, science‑based trapped‑neuter‑return (TNR) pilot and related training, monitoring and designated feeding areas. Resolution 141 authorized a $50,000 grant to the Hawaii Island Humane Society for off‑island transport, on‑island adoption and rehoming efforts. Both measures were introduced by Council Member Connolly Kleinfelder and passed after votes taken in council.
Public testimony on the measures was divided. Aloha Animal Alliance representatives and other proponents urged a centralized program with data tracking and designated feeding locations to reduce colony sizes and protect native wildlife. Opponents, including Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens, argued that releasing sterilized cats back into park areas risks wildlife and public‑park use and called for enforcement of existing abandonment and feeding laws instead. Vice Chair Sharon Onishi voted against one of the grants, citing concerns about converting an agency fund into grant money and saying she would prefer a program that relocates cats rather than returns them to parks.
Council members supported better data and coordination. Council Member Kimball noted that past mass removals in other islands have sometimes been ineffective because unregulated feeding draws new animals back into cleared areas; he said any effective program will need multiple components, including enforcement of existing laws, training for volunteers and coordination with DLNR and Parks.
Both grants passed. Council directed Parks & Rec, Animal Control and the grantees to coordinate on designated feeding site locations, monitoring and compliance with county park rules.
