Nothing says "Aloha" like animal cruelty. For years local volunteers and animal welfare organization have at no cost to the public humanely controlled the community cat population by TNR (trap neuter return). Now a new bill 6.04.041introduced by Rikki Hokama intends to make colony management a crime and promotes cruel starvation of these animals as the accepted method of population reduction. Please find the bill at the end of this petition along with contact information of the people It is URGENT you call to stop this unacceptable animal abuse.

These colonies have been successfully managed for years scientifically reducing cat population in paradise by internationally accepted humane methods. 

Feeding bans are archaic and have been tried elsewhere. There is not one example where they have been successful. We challenge Maui legislature to present us with one working example.They are a waste of taxpayers dollars and reduce the positive impact of TNR efforts.

If their concerns are sick/diseased animals surely without the care they get in managed colonies they will become sick from neglect. With no more vaccines flea control or vet care all available to these animals now there will be diseased debilitated animals or dead bodies rotting in public places.

Toxoplasmosis one of the concerns based on flawed research  is not only spread by cats but other animals like pigs and mongoose.There is no evidence any seal ever caught anything from a cat. With the extremely bad feral pig problem on Maui it is just as possible a monk seal caught toxoplasmosis from a pig being slaughtered upstream and filth washing off contaminated land or dead pigs into the ocean. It is more likely man and industrialization has been the culprit here. There is no evidence any seal ever caught anything from a cat.

This bill has largely been kept under wraps. There were no public notices and they timed it in the middle of coronavirus lockdown when the community is planning reopening not looking for animal welfare issues. 

With reopening imminent visitors who support Maui who are used to state of the art no kill acceptable humane methods of controlling cat population will be shocked and appalled at this violation of animal cruelty laws.  

URGENT PLEASE CONTACT MAUI COUNCILMEMBERS AND TELL THEM STARVATION OF THESE CATS THAT ARE WELL CARED FOR NOW WILL RESULT IN SICK AND DYING NEGLECTED ANIMALS. FEEDING BANS DONT WORK! 

We are asking you do this in lieu of sending support money. Please share this information. Public sentiment is important. Please help these cats. They are being punished unfairly and are currently loved and cared for.

Council member email addresses:
Alice.Lee@mauicounty.us, Council Chair
Keani.Rawlins@mauicounty.us, Council Vice-Chair
Tasha.Kama@mauicounty.us, Presiding Officer Pro Tempore
Riki.Hokama@mauicounty.us, Councilmember
Kelly.King@mauicounty.us, Councilmember
Mike.Molina@mauicounty.us, Councilmember
Tamara.Paltin@mauicounty.us, Councilmember
Shane.Sinenci@mauicounty.us, Councilmember
Yukilei.Sugimura@mauicounty.us, Councilmember

Council Chair
Alice L. Lee
Vice-Chair
Keani N.W. Rawlins-Femandez
Presiding Officer Pro Tempore
Tasha Kama
Councilmembers
Riki Hokama
Kelly Takaya King
Michael J. Molina
Tamara Paltin
Shane M. Sinenci
Yuki Lei K. Sugimura
COUNTY COUNCIL
COUNTY OF MAUI
200 S. HIGH STREET
WAILUKU, MAUI, HAWAII 96793
www.MauiCountv.us
May 1, 2020
Director of Council Services
Traci N. T. Fujita, Esq.
received
2020 HAY Ih 51
COUNTY CLEF
The Honorable Alice L. Lee
Council Chair
County of Maui
Wailuku, Hawaii 96793
Dear Chair Lee:
SUBJECT: PROHIBITION ON FEEDING FERAL ANIMALS
(PAF 20-127)
May I request the attached proposed bill, entitled "A BILL FOR AN
ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MAUI COUNTY CODE, CHAPTER 6.04.040,
RELATING TO FEEDING FERAL ANIMALS," be placed on the next Council
meeting agenda.
Sincerely,
RIKI HOKAMA
Councilmember
paf:ljcm;20-127d
Enclosure
10, ZO-24&ii

ORDINANCE NO.
BILL NO. (2020)
A BILL FOR AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND THE MAUI COUNTY CODE,
CHAPTER 6.04.040, RELATING TO FEEDING FERAL ANIMALS
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE PEOPLE OF THE COUNTY OF MAUI:
SECTION 1. Section 6.04.010, Maul County Code, is amended by adding
a new definition to be appropriately inserted and to read as follows:
"'Feral animaF means any animal existing in a wild or
untamed state or any animal having returned to an untamed state
from domestication."
SECTION 2: Chapter 6.04, Maui County Code, is amended by adding a
new section to read as follows:
"6.04.041 Feeding of feral animals prohibited. No person
may feed or deliberately introduce any food material, substance, or
attractant directly to, or in the yicinity of. any feral animal."
SECTION 3. New material is underscored. In printing this bill, the County
Clerk need not include the underscoring.
SECTION 4. This ordinance takes effect upon its approyal.
APPROVED AS TO FORM AND
LEGALITY:
(' KRISTIN^TO^HIKIY^
Department of the Corporation Counsel
County of Maui
2020-0555
PAF 20-127 2020-04-29 Ord Amd 6.04.40