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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0286.030 2024-2026Hawaii County Council c/o: Office of the County Clerk 25 Aupuni Street Hilo, HI 96720 ;_�3 ZA r-7 o� c� November4,2025 �z TestimonyforBill 52, Draft 3, relating to Household henneries County Council Meeting ym November 5,2025at9:00am= u Submitted via emailto: counciltestimony(@hawaiicount . ov Dear Chair Dr. Holeka Goro Inaba and Honorable members of the Council, I oppose Bill52 as currently proposed in Draft 3. 1 commend the intent to allow poultry in residential districts and respect the challenge of creating a billthatwill appease the wide diversity of constituents across Hawaii County. However, the bill should be revised to allow hens to free range while contained within a fenced area. Backyard chicken keeping increased in popularity nationwide duringthe pandemic and recent egg shortages. It has long been a part of local culture in our rural communities and provides food security to households. These are not large-scale industrial operations but rather family -owned backyard pets that are on average 3 to 5 pounds and have names like Mochi and Lilikoi. While some mayview poultry as unconventional pets, they are no more of a menace to society than other more traditional pets when properly managed. Chickens are generally easyto care for and may be a preferred option to dogs and cats because of their small size, the companionship they provide, along with the added benefit of food security from the eggs they lay. Pet poultry should not be restricted simply because they are birds but rather should be able to follow the same ordinances related to noise, odor, and waste as those that already apply in residential zones for all uses, including pet dogs and cats. In Section 25-4-17, Item (1) of Bill 52,1 propose to reinstate "fenced area" as an allowable means of containment from Draft 1. While a closed coop orcage may be the best option for some poultry owners, it should not be the requirement. Free range hens experience optimized health from a more diversified diet, increased exercise, and access to fresh air and sunshine. Most residential lots in Hawai'i County provide ample yard space to support a small back -yard flock. Freerange hens eat grass and pests such as coqui frogs and centipedes. Access to sunshine Comm 1 Ref. To: 1 Ref. Date NOV - 5 ZM improves absorption of vitamin Dwhich is critica I for calcium release required for producingeggs. Manure is distributed in small amounts throughout the yard, fertilizing grass and plants. Anyone who has witnessed a hen sprawled out in the grass sunbathing or quietly preening or eating grass would rue the thought of not allowing such freedom on a daily basis. Free range hens require smaller coops because they are outside most of the day, utilizingthe coop onlyfor laying eggs and roosting at night. If necessary, theirwings can be clipped to ensure they are not a flight risk outside the fenced area. Pet dogs have the potentialto escape from a fenced area (and possibly bite someone) yet they are not required to be locked in kennels at all times. Hens should be provided the same freedom to roam in a fenced area contained within the property owner's boundaries. Confined hens are more likely to suffer from disease, stress, pecking injuries, respiratory issues, and predator pressure. They require a larger coop footprint and/or enclosed run to ensure adequate space to roam throughout the day. Enclosed coops must be predator proof, especially for mongoose. These extra requirements and materials drive up cost and maytrigger the need for building permits, putting an undue burden on the animal owner. Previous discussions of Bill52 in committee and council meetings raised concerns about allowing hens to free range, citing potential nuisances and public health issues related to noise, odor and sanitation. Concerns were also raised about predators and biosecurity. Chickens roaming in a yard do not smell or pose a sanitation issue. In fact,.waste is evenly distributed as fertilizer rather than accumulating in concentrated areas. Responsible backyard chicken owners managewaste, from free range or confined coop conditions, the same as any other pet ownerwould be expected to. Simple sanitation practices such as cleaning the coop regularly, disinfecting tools, and washing hands after handling go a long wayto keep poultry and humans safe and healthy. The reality is residential areas experience a variety of noises from traffic, lawn maintenance, music, family gatherings, children playing, and pets like barking dogs and howling cats. In rural residential areas, agricultural noises are also common. We all must abide by existing noise ordinances and tolerate our neighborhood noises, whetherwe find them pleasant or not. While chickens do make some noises, they should not be targeted as a nuisance just because they are viewed by some as unconventional pets. Our rural island has a strong history of agricultural production. Boundaries between residential and agricultural zones are intermixed. Lots zoned for agriculture use exist within urban areas and residential lots exist in rural areas. Lot sizes for both residential and agriculture districts varyfrom small to large. These discrepancies could lead to implementation inconsistencies of Bill52. A residential lot required to abide by all 2 requirements of this bill could be in very close proximity to an agriculture lot that is not subject to the same restrictions. In other words, a residential owner of a one -acre parcel could be required to confine their animals for supposed disease threats, noise, and odor while across the fence an agricultural lot of the same or even smaller size could sustain free range birds. Poultry owners should be able to maketheir own decisions about how to best protect their flockfrom predators, weighingthe pros and cons of free rangeversus confined coops. Attacks by birds of prey such as the endangered endemic 'io are possible, but rare, when free ranging. Birds are much more susceptible to mongoose attacks in a confined coop that is not properly secured. Regarding concern forthe transmission of avian diseases, generally residential zones do not overlap with the habitat of native songbirds so disease transmission is unlikely between these populations. I agree with the importance of 25-4-17, Item 5, to provide resources to owners of household henneries. Abundant resources are available from government agencies including workshops with local experts. There are also a plethora of online resources and social media communities who share information on a variety of issues and help fellow poultry owners troubleshoot particular problems. In closing, 1 encourage the council to continue amending Bill52 bill to allow residential free range poultry keeping by including "fenced area" as an acceptable means of containment. I urge you to consult stakeholders such as local poultry experts and representatives from the agencies that would betasked with enforcing the requirements of the bill (e.g., Planning Department, Department of Health, Department of Agriculture, and Animal Control). Regulations should be based on existing ordnances and realistic conditions; not focused on hypothetical problems, perceived issues, or arbitrary objections that might arise. Ultimately, I am hopeful that a final bill will allow household henneries white ensuring requirements are reasonable, enforceable, maximize food security, and most importantly, respect our rural island culture and lifestyle. Thankyou foryour consideration, Amy Koch Papa'aloa, HI (District 1)