Hoomaluahia Botanical Gardens May Allow Pig Trapping

The Oahu Pig Hunters Association has approached the Honolulu City Council and has offered to trap wild pigs at the Hoomaluhia Botanical Gardens for free.  Previously, the city hired workers from the U.S. Department of Agriculture a total of $53,009 a year to remove pigs from the grounds.  However, due to a budget shortfall, it was decided in June that the city would not use the services of the USDA anymore.  Since that decision was made, the wild pig population at the gardens boomed and it is now estimated that there are over 200 wild pigs living on the 400-acre grounds.  The pigs are now causing significant damage to the park.

In their offer to the state, the hunters have promised not to use any dogs or guns, and have even offered not to use bows and arrows if this is a concern to the public. Instead, the hunters would simply use box or cage traps.  The hunters would be allowed to keep and/or kill any pigs that they catch.  The Oahu Pig Hunters Association would sign a waiver freeing the city from any responsibility of illness from consuming the pigs. Mayor Kirk Caldwell is in favor of the idea. Caldwell stated, "If they can do this in a way that's acceptable to the staff at Hoomaluhia and the public, I think we can follow that direction."

Source: Honolulu Star Advertiser, 12-23-2013, www.staradvertiser.com
Posted by Jeff Uyemura-Reyes, Broker-in-Charge, REALTOR®
Global Executive Realty, LLC
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