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Hawaii advisory committee backs permit recommendation for Aloha Bison to import 27 plains bison
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Summary
The advisory committee on plants and animals voted to recommend allowing Aloha Bison to import and hold 27 plains bison for breeding and commercial meat production at G Tree Ranch on Oahu after staff described biosecurity measures; neighbors raised flooding, containment and disease concerns.
The advisory committee on plants and animals at the Hawaii Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity voted to recommend approval of an application that would allow Aloha Bison to import and possess 27 plains bison for breeding and commercial meat production at a leased portion of G Tree Ranch on Oahu’s North Shore.
Jessica Amira, land vertebrae specialist for the quarantine branch, told the committee the request seeks two actions: to permit importation and possession of 27 plains bison (an animal listed on the restricted animals list, Part B) and to update permit conditions for commercial and breeding operations. She described the proposed facility at 67-150 Farrington Highway in Wailua, provided tax-map keys the applicant supplied, and outlined biosecurity measures including PQV-approved perimeter fencing, electric fencing in high-risk areas, secure holding pens, annual staff biosecurity training, visitor check-in procedures, disinfected transport protocols and remote perimeter monitoring.
"Today, I'm presenting a request to, 1, allow the importation and possession of 27 plains bison… and 2, update permit conditions for the importation and possession of plains bison for breeding and commercial meat production," Amira said. She also noted that five of six advisory subcommittee members recommended approval, with one member recommending disapproval.
Applicant Michael Botha of Big Sky Bison described his Montana operation and said he plans to start with a small herd on leased acreage at G Tree Ranch, initially using about 200–400 acres of pasture with rotational grazing. Botha said the project aims to produce locally raised bison meat to strengthen food security in Hawaii and described on-site containment and operational practices, including perimeter fencing, temporary electric fencing for rotational moves and conditioning animals to follow a feed vehicle for handling.
"We have a 1,200 acre ranch where we raise top-quality plains bison," Botha said, describing field-harvest and educational programs at his Montana operation and the plan to bring foundation animals to Oahu.
Neighbor Raquel, identifying herself as vice chair of the North Shore neighborhood board but testifying as an individual, urged caution and raised safety concerns after a recent flooding event near the proposed site. "I don't hear anything about emergency plans and how you would contain these bison or large animals," she said, adding that nearby schools and neighborhoods could be at risk if animals escaped.
Committee members pressed staff and the applicant on past incidents and containment capacity. Amira and staff cited a 2017 Kauai flood that caused some bison to escape from a low-lying Hanalei River pasture; staff said the herd's site was later moved and that the department conducts site inspections and can follow up if new concerns arise. John Deno, plant quarantine branch manager, said the branch does not generally take a formal stance at committee meetings but that, based on the application and subcommittee feedback, the department was not opposed to moving toward approval given required site upgrades and permit conditions.
Botha told the committee how his operation conditions and manages animals and said his approach to a seriously escaped or deliberately aggressive animal is euthanasia: "If an animal doesn't respect a fence, it's the first animal to be assigned to the meat side of the business… In the worst case scenario… the solution is to actually shoot them," he said, describing that as a last-resort containment measure. He also described existing USDA slaughter options on Hawaii islands and said the applicant is exploring a future small-scale USDA-licensed processing facility.
After committee discussion and a check for public testimony, Chair Pan Lau called for objections to a motion recommending approval. "Hearing none, the motion is approved," the chair declared. Staff said permitting and administrative review will require site inspection and that importation would not proceed until required fencing and other conditions are confirmed.
The committee adjourned at 10:06 a.m.
