HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0283.062 2024-2026From: DJ High
Sent: Sunday, July 6, 2025 7:34 AM
To: Council Testimony
Subject: Testimony Supporting Bill 51
Aloha a Councilmembers,
I strongly support Bill 51, which prohibits feeding feral animals on County property, to protect Hawai'i's endangered
wildlife and public health. As someone who deeply values our native species and has witnessed the harm caused by feral
cats firsthand, I urge you to pass this critical measure.
Feeding feral cats in parks sustains populations that kill native birds and spread deadly diseases like toxoplasmosis. I've
seen the consequences —cat feces littering parks where my toddler plays, and the heartbreaking loss of endangered
nene goslings to this preventable parasite. These feeding sites create unsanitary conditions, contaminating soil and
water, and putting families at risk.
Feral animals also destroy public spaces. I've camped in parks where cats screeched through the night and tore into
trash, despite efforts to deter them. This isn't just a nuisance —it's a threat to our native ecosystems. Every fed cat means
more predation on 'ua'u (Hawaiian petrels) and 'alala (Hawaiian crows), and more feces polluting our watersheds.
Some suggest permitting feeding, but this would only prolong the damage. Sustaining feral colonies undermines
conservation and shifts liability to the County for the harm they cause. We cannot prioritize invasive predators over
species found nowhere else on Earth.
Bill 51 is a compassionate, science -based solution. It protects our native wildlife, keeps public spaces safe, and honors
our kuleana to malama aina. Please pass it without exceptions.
Mahalo for your service,
[Your Name] N
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