Ms. Presley stated that she is appalled at the lack of compassion and aloha and will never come back to this island if the Bill is signed into law. The Bill is currently on Mayor Alameda’s desk awaiting his signature or his veto.

The Bill 51, called the Cat Kill Bill, had over 6,000 testimonies in opposition, yet the County Council members voted to pass the Bill to outlaw provision of food and water in managed cat colonies. Twenty-three local welfare organizations and four national animal welfare organizations strongly opposed this Bill throughout the three Council hearing sessions.

This Bill criminalizes, vilifies, and alienates the volunteers, the animal welfare non-profits and many individual residents who feed, care for, trap/neuter/return and manage the cat colonies on County property. This goes beyond reason. What is the plan for the cats? Starvation then eradication with poison or other means? The Council has overridden the public opinion of their constituents and voted to eliminate cats. A surge in the rodent population can be expected without cats as their predators.

Ms. Presley is advocating for an international media campaign to oppose Bill 51. “My family and I family have spent decades living on and/or visiting the Big Island. Should this bill, with inhumane consequences pass, I plan to never again set foot on the Big Island and will encourage all my friends and acquaintances to do the same. No one wants to visit and be supportive of an island with this lack of compassion and ugliness.” Yes, the cats are repeatedly blamed for killing Nene and other native birds. However, it is an incomplete and false narrative perpetuated by special interests. Data documenting the actual cause of extinction of native species points to human activities resulting in loss of bird habitat from over-development and pollution. Yet, no one stops building resorts, shopping malls, or golf courses that have taken over the native species’ habitats. 

A spokesperson for Aloha Animal Advocacy Association (AAAA), Sylvia Dolena said, “we are planning a legal challenge to the Bill if it is signed into law as this Bill clearly violates the State of Hawaii Revised Statutes for animal cruelty.” AAAA is a coalition of local and national animal welfare organizations that provides humane solutions to animal overpopulation.

Media Contact: Elaine K. Orenberg, PhD
Vice President, Kohala Animal Relocation and Education Service (KARES)
Kamuela, Hawaii
Phone: 808-333-6299