Who is killing stray cats at Keehi Small Boat Harbor?

State authorities have launched an investigation after at least eight cats appear to have been killed in a cruel manner at the Sand Island harbor in October.

The state Department of Land and Natural Resources has for years dealt with issues related to the illegal feeding of feral cats at Keehi, as well as other parts of the state, that conflict with the protection of threatened or endangered species.

However, these instances appeared to be cases of outright animal cruelty, officials said.

On Oct. 17, staff from DLNR’s Division of Boating and Ocean Recreation found a dead cat that appeared to have been decapitated, floating near one of the piers at Keehi.

Then on Tuesday, authorities discovered seven more dead cats, with injuries that appeared to be non-natural. Many were found next to piles of food that had been spread on the ground or pavement.

DOBOR Administrator Meghan Statts called the killings “cruel and inhumane behavior.” She said aside from the decapitated cat, there were other cats that appeared to have been shot in the water and on the property.

The DLNR Division of Conservation and Resources Enforcement is working to identify the perpetrators of the killings, which it said are against the law.

“We’re working very closely with DOCARE to try to address this,” said Statts, “to find out who any of these individuals are that are causing these cruel and inhumane acts on these animals.”

At the same time, state officials are reminding the public it is illegal to feed animals, including feral cats, at Keehi and at all state small boat harbors.

Signs informing the public that the feeding of colonies, strays, wildlife or feral animals is prohibited are posted at various locations across the harbor, DLNR said, yet people are often observed feeding cats. Violators can face up to a $1,000 fine and some jail time.

“We try to educate people as best as we can,” said Statts in a news release. “The reason DOBOR implemented rules prohibiting feeding of feral animals is that cats are known to spread the disease toxoplasmosis, which can be deadly for critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals. Boat harbors are not appropriate places for cat colonies and while the feeding may be well-intentioned, people need to realize they could be contributing to the deaths of one of Hawaii’s iconic marine mammals.”

Some recent conflicts include feral cat feedings at Lili‘uokalani Park and Gardens on Banyan Drive in Hilo, which end up attracting nene.

DLNR says nene have been captured on cameras eating the cat food alongside the cats. DOCARE officers in May cited a 66-year-old woman for violating laws prohibiting the feeding of protected wildlife because nene might eat the cat food.

A nene gosling had died at the park shortly before the citation due to toxoplasmosis, a disease carried in the feces of cats.

Earlier this month DLNR also reported that a male nene, banded as 595, had been killed in a hit-and-run on a road at the same park in Hilo. Officials say nene regularly cross roads in the park in an effort to get to cat-feeding locations.

DOCARE officers are conducting regular patrols at Keehi harbor.

Anyone with information on the cat killings is encouraged to report it to 643-DLNR (3567) or via the free DLNRTip app. Reports can be done anonymously.