Whether or not you can have backyard chickens in Hawaii depends on the city, town, or county in which you live. That's because each Hawaii city or county has its own ordinances that allow or prohibit the keeping of certain animals. So prior to getting a flock of backyard chickens, make sure you check the regulations in your area. This is especially important if you don't live in an agricultural area. In this article, I've listed, as examples, some Hawaii municipalities that allow backyard chickens.
Honolulu, HI
Although there are so many wild chickens in Honolulu, owning chickens that produce fresh eggs daily is very different. According to the city's municipal code, a maximum of two chickens of peafowl is allowed per household. Chickens must be kept solely for personal enjoyment. Honolulu's Animal Nuisance Law prohibits animals from making noise continuously or incessantly, or both, for 10 minutes. To comply with this law, it is advisable not to keep a crowing rooster.
Other cities in Honolulu County that allow chickens include Pearl City, Waianae, Kapolei, Kaneohe, Ewa Beac, Haleiwa, and Kailua. This list is not exhaustive, as many more municipalities in Honolulu County allow backyard chickens.
Hawaii County, HI
In Hawaii County, chickens, as well as ducks, geese, and turkeys, are considered livestock and allowed to be kept for personal use. According to the County Code, you must not allow your chickens to be at large, thereby constituting a public nuisance. Also, while you can keep a number of chickens in Hawaii County residential areas, they better be quiet chickens! In other words, it is better to not keep roosters to avoid noise complaints.
Feral chickens in Hawaii
Hawaii has an ongoing problem with wild or feral chickens. In the Aloha State, feral chickens go wherever humans go. Chickens kick around in grocery store parking lots and parks and visit cookouts and picnics. On the island of Kauai, chickens are absolutely everywhere, hanging out at beaches and flocking in forests.
From raiding trash cans to being fed by tourists at the beach, feral chickens seem to be living a whole diversity of lifestyles in Hawaii. These ubiquitous birds play a crucial role in curbing the population of destructive bugs and insects in the state. It is also entertaining to watch them run around everywhere.
However, there are also downsides to feral chickens In Hawaii. Aside from roosters crowing in the hours before dawn, feral chickens are a road hazard in Hawaii. They are a leading cause of car accidents on the island, according to studies. When they get into farms, they often damage crops and their sharp claws are a threat to native plants. In 2022, some Honolulu residents literally took matters into their own hands as they embarked on missions to hunt and catch the roosters that were keeping them all up at night, according to SFGATE.
However, the chickens seem to be winning in the fight between them and humans. They are pretty fast and fly up on power lines or rooftops, where you can’t reach them. Some residents do hunt the chickens and eat them, while others eat the eggs. Still, none of it has been enough to reduce the feral chicken population.
Conclusion
Given the ongoing problem that Hawaii has with feral chickens, it is important to comply with local backyard chicken-keeping laws.
Related: How many pets can you own in Hawaii?
