Council considers fowl ban on Maui
Roosters and other birds would be prohibited from residential areas
WAILUKU » Some residents are crying foul about a Maui County Council bill that would ban roosters and other fowl from residential neighborhoods.
Council member Robert Carroll said he introduced the measure after about 20 people from Lahaina, Kahului and Pukalani complained about crowing roosters.
He said about half of them were of Filipino ancestry, and some were surprised the county allowed fowl in residential areas, because they are not permitted in Manila.
Carroll said he has heard stories of people who are chronically ill being unable to sleep because of the noise of crowing roosters.
The bill, outlawing chickens, peafowl and geese, was sent out of the Council Planning Committee.
Council members plan to then send the measure to the county Planning Commission for review and comments.
Honolulu has an ordinance enforced by police that allows the confiscation of animals in residential neighborhoods if the noise is consistent for 10 minutes or is intermittent for 30 minutes.
Alton DeGama, a Lahaina resident who raises chickens, said Maui is not like Honolulu and that the bill was an assault on island lifestyle.
He said complaints were coming mainly from newcomers who have moved into old neighborhoods.
He said those against the bill have gathered petitions with more than 400 signatures.
DeGama said if a law is enacted, it should have a grandfather clause exempting those already raising chickens in residential neighborhoods.
"The thing is, we're saying let's deal with the complaints individually," he said. "This is an island. This isn't a city."
Carroll said the Maui bill has been at the Council in various forms for the past 15 years, and he introduced his bill about three years ago.
He said in the past, Council members have backed away from voting on the issue.
"This time, we haven't," he said.
"Whether you like the bill or not, it's a matter of concern and contention. It needs to be heard by our people."