Resolution
No.
11-98
URGING THE STATE OF HAWAII AND RELEVANT
FEDERAL AGENCIES TO JOIN WITH THE COUNTY OF
MAUI TO DEVELOP A LONG-TERM MANAGEMENT
PLAN TO REDUCE THE AXIS DEER POPULATION
WHEREAS, the axis deer (Axis axis) is native to India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, and was
intentionally introduced to Maui in 1959 as a game resource, which has become a part of the
local culture and a food resource for some Maui families; and
WHEREAS, since its introduction, the axis deer population on Maui has grown
exponentially and is now found on private, county, state, and federal lands, including ranches,
wild lands, commercial properties, urban and residential areas, golf courses, hotels, roads, and
highways; and
WHEREAS, large herds of axis deer have overgrazed local pastures causing damage
that has increased ranch costs for supplemental feed and led to the shipment of cattle
off-island for lack of adequate pasture; and
WHEREAS, axis deer are devastating Maui farms by decreasing production of
vegetables, cane, pineapple, grapes, and other crops, and causing losses of hundreds of
thousands of dollars annually; and
WHEREAS, the presence of axis deer on Maui farms threatens the food safety of
locally grown produce and drinking water supply as they have been known to carry diseases,
such as bovine tuberculosis, which could decimate Maui's cattle industry, as well as common
parasites such as leptospirosis, cryptosporidiosis, and strains of E. con; and
WHEREAS, farmers, ranchers, and other private landowners including golf courses in
South and Central Maui are experiencing increased incidents of property damage to fences
and illegal hunting on their properties, creating a serious safety hazard from unauthorized
gunfire in close proximity to dwellings; and
WHEREAS, vehicle-deer collisions are occurring at an increasing pace across the
island; and
WHEREAS, axis deer are known to have damaged culturally and archaeologically
significant sites, including Hawaiian heiau and old stone walls; and
Resolution No. 11-98
WHEREAS, axis deer have invaded both East and West Maui watersheds, Haleakala
National Park, and other natural areas, where impacts include direct damage to native plants
from browsing and trampling, debarking from antler rubbing, and erosion from deer trails;
and
WHEREAS, problems associated with the increasing axis deer population have
developed over many decades, and the management of axis deer by hunting alone has proven
inadequate; and
WHEREAS, the recent discovery of axis deer on the island of Hawaii has inspired an
effort by the State of Hawaii to eradicate axis deer from that island; and
WHEREAS, in the absence of effective management involving the county, state, and
federal jurisdictions axis deer will continue to threaten Maui's tourist-based economy,
life-giving watersheds, and the viability of Maui's farms and ranches; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the County of Maui:
1. That it hereby urges the State of Hawaii and relevant federal agencies to join with
the County of Maui to develop a long-term management plan that will
immediately and humanely reduce the axis deer population; and
2. That decreasing the axis deer population will reduce the negative impacts to
Maui's farms, ranches, forests, and communities, and ensure Maui's long-term
food sustainability and the protection of watersheds and native forests while
recognizing the islands' long-standing game hunting traditions; and
3. That certified copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Hawaii Invasive
Species Council; State Department of Land and Natural Resources; State
Department of Agriculture; United States Fish and Wildlife Service; United States
Department of Agriculture, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service; United States
Department of Agriculture, Wildlife Services; Maui County Farm Bureau; Maui
Cattlemen's Association; Maui Cattle Company; Maui Coffee Association; Maui
Conservation Alliance; Maui Invasive Species Committee; Maui Hotel and
Lodging Association; East Maui Watershed Partnership; West Maui Mountains
Watershed Partnership; Leeward Haleakala Watershed Restoration Partnership;
Maui Flower Growers' Association; Hawaiian Islands Land Trust; The Nature
Conservancy; Wailea Community Association; Makena Community Association;
Maui Farmers' Union; Upcountry Sustainability; South Maui Sustainability; and
the Honorable Alan M. Arakawa, Mayor, County of Maui.
paEscj:11-185b
COUNCIL OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI
WAILUKU, HAWAII 96793
CERTIFICATION OF ADOPTION
It is HEREBY CERTIFIED that RESOLUTION NO. 11-98 was adopted by the
Council of the County of Maui, State of Hawaii, on the 16th day of September,
2011, by the following vote:
MEMBERS
ROLL CALL
Dennis A.
MATEO
Chair
Joseph
PONTANILLA
Vice-Chair
Aye
Aye
Gladys C.
BAISA
Aye
Robert
CARROLL
Aye
Eleanora
COCHRAN
Aye
Donald G.
COUCH, JR.
Aye
G. Riki
HOKAMA
Aye
Michael P.
VICTORINO
Aye
Michael B.
WHITE
Aye