We, the concerned residents of Hawaii, respectfully request an independent performance and financial audit of the Hawaiian Humane Society (HHS) by the Honolulu City Council and the State Auditor to ensure accountability for taxpayer funds and effective animal welfare services.

Urgent Need for Oversight
HHS receives millions annually from Honolulu City contracts—over $3.7 million as of 2019—for critical services like animal control, sheltering, spay/neuter programs, and responding to cruelty complaints. Recent concerns about operational efficiency, high euthanasia rates, employee turnover, and contract compliance echo past issues, yet no comprehensive audit has occurred since 1997, leaving public trust and animal welfare in need of attention.

History of Past Audits
The last major performance audit, authorized by Honolulu City Council Resolution 96-165, CD1, FD1 and conducted by Arthur Andersen LLP, examined HHS's use of city funds for FY 1995-1996. It revealed serious deficiencies: mixed results on animal control benchmarks, weak budgetary controls, inadequate complaint tracking, non-compliance with contract terms (e.g., reporting, response times, officer use), suboptimal animal care, and poor internal operations like unmeasurable goals and incomplete records. The audit recommended that HHS enhance compliance, goal-setting, and city oversight, but nearly 30 years later, similar questions persist without follow-up scrutiny.
State's Prior Requests for Audit
In 2019, Hawaii Senate Resolution SR39 formally highlighted community complaints about HHS's high euthanasia rates and called for greater transparency and accountability in its operations. This state-level call, combined with City Council member Ann Kobayashi's push for a performance review amid staffing crises and allegations of unnecessary euthanasia, underscores ongoing governmental concern—but no binding audit has materialized.
Failures in TNR Management
HHS's Trap-Neuter-Return-Manage (TNRM) efforts are central to city contracts for controlling feral cat populations humanely, yet evidence suggests inadequate execution. The 1997 audit flagged spay/neuter compliance issues, like improper certificate use and reporting gaps, which directly impact TNR efficacy in reducing overpopulation. Today, amid Hawaii's feral cat crisis and recent legislative pushes (e.g., 2026 bills targeting population growth), HHS should demonstrate TNR success through measurable outcomes like reduced intake/euthanasia rates and community partnerships—areas unverified without an audit.

Contract Compliance Gaps
City contracts require HHS to meet strict standards: timely nuisance responses, cruelty investigations, adequate shelter care, public education, and dog licensing. Historical non-compliance in response times, reporting, and resource allocation raises questions about current fulfillment, especially with evolving demands like TNRM expansion. A full audit would verify if funds deliver promised results, ensuring alignment with Revised Ordinances of Honolulu (ROH) Chapters 7 and 3.

Our Request: We respectfully urge the Honolulu City Council to pass a resolution for a third-party performance and financial audit of HHS, mirroring the 1997 audit's scope, with emphasis on TNRM metrics, contract adherence, and financial transparency. Please share this with lawmakers, HHS, and media—add your name to help protect Hawaii's animals and ensure responsible use of public dollars.