THE SENATE

S.C.R. NO.

92

THIRTY-SECOND LEGISLATURE, 2023

H.D. 1

STATE OF HAWAII

 

 

 

 

 

SENATE CONCURRENT

RESOLUTION

 

 

REQUESTING THE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE, DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, AND THE CITY AND COUNTY OF HONOLULU, TO create a working group to identify solutions to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and roosters across the island of O‘ahu.

 

 

     WHEREAS, feral chickens and roosters have become a persistent nuisance, particularly in suburban and urban residential communities; and

 

     WHEREAS, feral chickens and roosters wander into yards and gardens, digging up plants, damaging food crops, and jeopardizing native plants and resources; and

 

     WHEREAS, feral roosters crow at all times of the day and night, which has led to numerous noise complaints by residents throughout the State; and

 

     WHEREAS, droppings from feral chickens and roosters are unsanitary and create a health concern; and

 

     WHEREAS, feral chickens and roosters also carry diseases that threaten other animals, including native birds; and

 

     WHEREAS, the noticeable increase in the number of feral chickens and roosters also creates a road hazard for drivers who must suddenly stop or swerve to avoid them; and

 

     Whereas, to protect Hawai‘i’s ecosystem, natural resources, and the health and safety of its residents, it is critical that the State work together with the City and County of Honolulu to identify and implement collaborative solutions to control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and roosters; now, therefore,

 

     BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the Thirty-second Legislature of the State of Hawai‘i, Regular Session of 2023, the House of Representatives concurring, that the Department of Agriculture, Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Health, and the City and County of Honolulu, are requested to identify solutions to mitigate and control the significant increase in the population of feral chickens and roosters on the island of O‘ahu; and

 

     BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group is requested to research and report on the following information:

 

(1)  Solutions to capture feral chickens and roosters, including providing free traps to members of the public; and

(2)  Steps to take once feral chickens and roosters have been captured, including collaboration with community organizations and nonprofits, private businesses, and farms; and

(3)  Costs associated with these solutions to address the increase in feral chicken and rooster populations; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that, subject to the availability of funding, an interim program is requested to be created to provide traps to members of the public to capture feral chickens and roosters; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group may invite other State and City departments, as well as stakeholder groups, to join the discussion on solutions to address this issue; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the working group submit a report to the Legislature no later than thirty days prior to the convening of the Regular Session of 2024; and

 

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that certified copies of this Concurrent Resolution be transmitted to the Chairperson of the Board of Agriculture, Chairperson of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Director of Health, and Mayor of the City and County of Honolulu.

 

 

Report Title: 

Animals; Feral Chickens, Roosters; Health; Nuisance; Mitigation and Control; Working Group; Department of Agriculture; Department of Land and Natural Resources; Department of Health; City and County of Honolulu.