#axis deer maui

The Hapapa Watershed project was designed to revegetate an area in South Maui that had been denuded by feral axis deer.

Eligible private landowners and lessees of Maui Nui have the opportunity to participate in targeted axis deer control through the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife Landowner Incentive Program. The goal of this program is to incentivize Maui, Molokaʻi, and Lānaʻi landowners to decrease the number of axis deer from the landscape. The deadline to submit proposals is Nov. 25, 2024 at 4 p.m.

A collaborative project to protect against erosion, reduce flood risk, mitigate axis deer damage, and improve water quality is being implemented in an 11-acre area mauka of Kīhei. 

One of the largest studies on wildlife activity — involving more than 220 researchers, 163 mammal species and 5,000 camera traps worldwide — reveals that wild animals react differently to human activity levels depending on where the animals live and what they eat. Hawai‘i-based authors include University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa researchers Melissa Price and Derek Risch.

Maui Nui Venison was one of the 15 companies selected for the latest cohort. The company seeks to simultaneously alleviate the damaging impact invasive deer have on Hawaiʻi’s vulnerable ecosystems while unlocking a healthy, local food resource.

Measures may include corralling of axis deer, culling of deer to sustainable levels, clearing vegetation along fence lines and constructing or reinforcing fence lines to protect roadways, airports and runways from axis deer incursions.

Governor David Ige issued a fifth proclamation relating to the Maui County axis deer crisis, extending the disaster emergency relief period through Jan. 17, 2023.

“Our main goal is to address overpopulation by finding ways to mitigate and control axis deer. We continue to see them moving into rural and residential areas, where they create safety hazards, destroy the food source of our livestock and cause environmental damage,” said committee chair Yuki Lei Sugimura.

Gov. David Ige issued a fourth proclamation, establishing another emergency relief period for the axis deer crisis in Maui County.

Maui Now is conducting a survey focused on understanding the opinions and attitudes of its readers about the quality of public education in Hawaiʻi, mail-in ballots vs. in person voting, capping visitor accommodations to mitigate over-tourism, the population growth of axis deers, and how household expenses have changed in the last 30 days.

Axis deer have decimated agricultural crops and pastural lands as they migrate to seek water and forage. The estimated population of axis deer in Maui county is at least 60,000.

Despite ongoing efforts, the axis deer population has grown to approximately 60,000 or more, which cannot be sustained by the environment on Maui.

Governor David Ige issued a second proclamation, establishing another emergency relief period for the axis deer crisis in Maui County.

The United States Department of Agriculture has designated Maui County and Hawai‘i County as primary natural disaster areas as a result of drought, making farm operators in both counties eligible for emergency loans and other Farm Service Agency assistance. 

Governor David Ige signed a new emergency proclamation today relating to the relief for conditions created by the overpopulation of axis deer in Maui County.

Huihui chef Tom Muromoto’s thoughtfully crafted menu sources deer from the neighboring rural island for dishes that include the Molokaʻi venison burger, and Molokaʻi venison poke.

Governor David Ige announced the release of $364,445,224 for Capital Improvement Projects that will be administered by various state departments. These funds were released in November and December of 2021, and January of 2022. 

Councilmember Yuki Lei Sugimura of Maui expressed her support for a proposed Fiscal Year 2022 Budget Amendment from Mayor Michael Victorino that would create a micro-grants program for axis deer mitigation.

Topics of the Kula Community Association meeting include: water, axis deer, and commercial bike tours.

New aerial footage of Molokaʻi shows just how extensive the axis deer population has gotten, and the threats that it is posing to agriculture and forested lands.