HONOLULU — Gov. Josh Green on Tuesday issued a sixth emergency proclamation to assist Maui County with its ongoing axis deer crisis, according to a news release. The proclamation now extends the emergency period through March 18, 2023.

What You Need To Know

  • The estimated population of axis deer in Maui County sits at over 60,000

  • Deer have destroyed their natural forage areas already sparse from drought, and are moving into agricultural and populated areas seeking food and water

  • In Aug. 2022, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture opened an emergency loan program to help farmers and ranchers with deer mitigation efforts

  • The Maui branch of the Department of Fish and Wildlife will fill three positions to address the deer population and are working on securing deer traps and strategic deer fence construction projects in West Maui

The estimated population of axis deer in Maui County sits at over 60,000 as hunting efforts alone have failed to reduce the number. Axis deer have destroyed their natural forage areas and vegetation that were already sparse because of the ongoing drought conditions. As a result, deer have moved into agricultural areas and neighborhoods searching for food and water. There have also been reports of deer foraging in urban areas.

Deer could also potentially spread disease in the environment, according to the release. Molokai has a history of bovine tuberculosis that dates back to the 1940s. The most recent outbreak was in April 2022. Bovine tuberculosis usually affects cattle, but it can also spread to humans and other animals. After testing hundreds of animals, including axis deer, the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources has so far found no positive results for bovine tuberculosis.

In August 2022, the Hawaii Department of Agriculture opened an emergency loan program to help farmers and ranchers with costs associated with deer overpopulation in Maui County. The loan offered farmers and ranchers assistance for their mitigation efforts, such as the cost of fencing and other preventive measures.

Three new positions are being filled to enable the Maui branch of the Department of Fish and Wildlife to assign dedicated staff to address deer overpopulation. The agency is also working on securing deer traps and strategic deer fence construction projects in West Maui.

Gov. Green extended the emergency relief period so that the state and County of Maui can continue to reduce and control the axis deer population. Measures include corralling axis deer, culling deer to sustainable numbers, clearing vegetation along fence lines, and erecting and/or reinforcing or repairing fence lines to protect roadways, airports and runways.

Sarah Yamanaka covers events, environmental and community news for Spectrum News Hawaii. She can be reached at sarah.yamanaka@charter.com.