A mysterious, large animal was first reported on Hawaii Island in mid-August.

What You Need To Know

  • Local media said a large, mysterious animal had been spotted by at least two individuals on Hawaii Island

  • Since these initial reports, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has been investigating

  • The state agency left bait with cameras for three weeks in the Holualoa area, but staff only saw pigs and small cats

  • Other sightings have been reported, but DLNR said they “are unlikely due to the distances and terrain even a large animal would need to traverse”

The first sighting of what might be a large wildcat was in Holualoa above Kailua-Kona. A man who asked to remain anonymous took photos of the massive animal, but the images were blurry, according to local media.

About a month later, local media reported another sighting was captured on surveillance video at the Manago Hotel in the town above Kealakekua Bay, also known as Captain Cook, but again the images are hard to make out and a visitor who saw it asked to remain anonymous. 

Since these initial reports, the Department of Land and Natural Resources has been investigating. 

On Sept. 13, DLNR released a statement that said they have not been able to make any determinations about the ‘big cat.’

“The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) has looked into reports of a 'big cat,' but without clear photographs or video it's impossible to make any determinations.” 

The statement said that DOFAW had left bait with cameras for three weeks in the Holualoa area, but the staff only saw pigs and small cats. 

Other sightings have been reported, but the DLNR statement said they “are unlikely due to the distances and terrain even a large animal would need to traverse.”

When Spectrum News asked where the other sightings were made, DLNR reiterated that they “came in from all around Hawaii Island” and declined to provide further information. 

DLNR added that the Hawaii Department of Agriculture is the lead authority in this situation.

The Hawaii DOA said in a statement that the individual who took the blurry photos in mid-August and the visitor at the Manago Hotel have not responded to messages from inspectors. 

“Agricultural inspectors from the Hawaii Department of Agriculture have relayed messages to the individual who took the photo in Holualoa in mid-August, but he has yet to contact inspectors. The staff at the Manago Hotel says the visitors who said they saw a large cat near the hotel have also declined to be identified or to be interviewed by agricultural inspectors. No one at the hotel directly saw the animal,” the statement said.

Without further information, the Hawaii DOA said it was unable to determine the credibility of the sightings. 

The Hawaii DOA asked anyone who sees a possible illegal animal to contact the Pest Hotline at 808-643-PEST (7378). 

Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii.