WAIKOLOA, Hawaii — Two Waikoloa women were cited Tuesday by the DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources for feeding feral cats at Queens’ Marketplace in Waikoloa on Hawaii Island, according to a Department of Land and Natural Resources news release.
Last week, DLNR told Queens’ Marketplace to remove three cat-feeding stations in the center’s back parking lot because they were attracting nene, Hawaii’s endangered state bird, which were then being harmed by the feral cat population. Queens’ Marketplace had not set up the cat-feeding stations but agreed to remove them.
On Tuesday evening, cat lovers held a protest at the Queens’ Marketplace parking lot with about 50 people — some carrying large bags of cat food.
Two of the protesters allegedly put out bowls of cat food, and in response, DOCARE cited them for prohibited taking of endangered species. Queens’ Marketplace security officers also told the women they were banned from the property. A third woman was also warned after allegedly being spotted pouring cat food into bowls.
“As animal lovers, we strongly believe that keeping cats indoors is better for cats and better for the native wildlife, including the nene, for which we are responsible,” DLNR said in a statement.
Michelle Broder Van Dyke covers the Hawaiian Islands for Spectrum News Hawaii. Email her at michelle.brodervandyke@charter.com.