HomeMy WebLinkAboutCOM 0286.040 2024-2026P / Cwnci I
bill 52
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From:
Van Eden
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Sent:
Friday, November 14, 2025 4:19 PM
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To:
Council Testimony
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Subject:
Bill 052, relating to henneries, Written testimony
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I support Bill 52. As a resident
in an RA -zoned area, I have direct experience with both
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irresponsible hennery owners.
One hennery keeps its chickens in a well-built coop. The birds never escape. When a rooster is present, the
owner keeps it enclosed at night and into the late morning so it does not disturb the neighborhood. I was
unaware a rooster was even there until someone mentioned it.
The second hennery keeps roughly a dozen birds. The owner allows them to roam freely, and they enter
multiple neighboring properties, causing significant damage. Even electric fencing does not stop them. They kill
young citrus trees and destroy vegetable gardens. The owner also brings in roosters to increase the flock. As
always, the hatch includes males, and the owner lets these become feral. We now have a population of jungle
roosters as a result. The owner also feeds wild birds alongside the chickens, attracting large flocks of pigeons
and doves that commingle with the chickens.
Bill 52 is needed because of owners like this. I understand objections from responsible hennery owners, but
they are not the problem. The bill addresses those who create nuisances and health risks.
Section 1(A) is unclear. It states that henneries must be at least 20 feet from any residential district "other than"
RA. It is not clear what setback applies within RA districts. The problematic hennery I described has built a
feeding area directly on a shared property line, leaving the neighboring home exposed to the noise, odor, and
visual impact. That fence is only about 30 feet from the neighbor's house. Lots in this area average 8,000
square feet. The bill should specify a setback of at least 20 feet from all property boundaries.
Given the health risks associated with poultry, the bill should also include explicit setbacks from human -
occupied buildings. Chicken mites do affect people, and H5N1 remains a significant global health concern. The
NIH's 2018 report, "A Framework to Reduce Infectious Disease Risk from Urban Poultry in the United States,"
recommends a minimum of 50 feet between any hennery and a dwelling.
The USDA Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service biosecurity checklist (2025) emphasizes that wild bird
contact is a major disease pathway for poultry. The bill should therefore require henneries to prevent
commingling between chickens and wild birds. This means that coops or enclosures must include overhead
barriers or netting to block wild bird entry.
The bill does reference USDA best practices. However, USDA does not set specific distance requirements; it
leaves those decisions to local zoning authorities. If zoning defers to USDA, and USDA defers to zoning, the
result is regulatory ambiguity with real consequences. What you might call a chicken and egg situation.
In summary, I support Bill 52, but it needs two additions. First, section 1(A) should define setbacks: at least 20
feet from all property boundaries and 50 feet from any dwelling. Second, explicit prohibition of wild bird
commingling, with mandatory overhead fencing or netting.
The first hennery owner I mentioned would have no trouble meeting these requirements.
Van L Eden
12-7196 Mauka Nui Street Comm. kL
Pahoa,H196778 Ref. To:1Ref. Date NQ�J