#axis deer

Axis deer continue to negatively impact Maui Nui forested watersheds, agricultural land and population centers. To combat these problems, the DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife is inviting eligible private landowners and lessees to apply to the Landowner Incentive Program to achieve appropriate, sustainable population levels.

State Sen. Angus L.K. McKelvey on Wednesday announced $3.2 million in Capital Improvement Project funds to design and construct axis deer fencing in South Maui.

Gov. Josh Green has extended a state emergency proclamation, now in its 18th incarnation, to help fight prolific herds of voracious axis deer that damage farm crops, overgraze pasture lands and threaten fragile watersheds.

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.

Prolific herds of hungry Axis deer continue to wreak havoc in Maui County, damaging farm crops, overgrazing livestock pasture lands, threatening fragile watersheds and even encroaching in heavily urbanized areas like Kahului Airport’s runways and baggage claim areas. Without natural predators in the islands, the deer have flourished unchecked. Now, in part due to an initiative funded by Maui County, some deer are falling prey to hungry humans.

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.

Registration began Monday to those interested in participating in an axis deer control hunt program on Hawaiian Home Lands in Waiohuli.

To help curb axis deer populations in Maui County, the Hawaiʻi State Division of Forestry and Wildlife is launching a program that will incentive eligible private landowners and lessees to harvest the non-indigenous animals.

During a three-day site visit, members of the Senate Ways and Means Committee were met by state officials and community members who delivered presentations on their plans for a range of both Governor’s and Senate priorities, including: economic and workforce development, investments in infrastructure, and the coalescing of a food innovation network. The group also discussed the future of Kahoʻolawe and Kalaupapa.

Passed by the Legislature earlier this year, HB1382, now Act 54, allows nonprofits to donate wild game meat to “under-resourced” communities, including the homeless.

In his address, Mayor Bissen described work by his administration in priority areas of housing, water, infrastructure, economic development, and environment. He also discussed work to find a resolution surrounding the opening of the long-awaited Kūlanihākoʻi High School in South Maui. 

This version of Maui Nowʻs letters includes discussion about drainage for repeat flooding areas, lack of effort to find Mauiʻs missing persons, Villages of Lealiʻi development, discrimination by TSA at Kahuli Airport pre-check, Makawao fire, longtime visitors upset about recent lack of “Aloha Spirt,” radical idea to get rid of Axis deer and more.

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.

The incident sheds light on the axis deer problem on Maui, as the animals push into populated areas in search of food and water.

A new alfresco dining experience, Kiawe Outdoor, offers communal dining, set under the canopy of a 100 year old rubber tree on the grounds of the Royal Lahaina resort.

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