---

Kokua Line

By June Watanabe

Illegal animals are either
banished or kept for zoo

Question: What does the state quarantine branch do with the iguanas and other illegal animals that are caught? Are they destroyed? Deported? Put on display? I hope that beautiful iguana gets another home off Oahu!

Answer: Good questions, since four iguanas have been caught on Oahu just since New Year's Eve. The last one, a 4 1/2 -foot iguana, was captured in a Waianae backyard in early March.

The illegal animals are either held temporarily at the state Department of Agriculture's Plant Quarantine Station or the Honolulu Zoo, said Domingo Cravalho, an invertebrate and aquatic biota specialist with the department.

Despite its name, the Plant Quarantine Station also is charged with keeping alien animals out of the islands. It is illegal to possess or transport iguanas in Hawaii. However, the reptiles are believed to be established in Waimanalo.

When "an ample surplus" of such animals, as well as snakes, exotic geckos and other illegal-in-Hawaii creatures, is reached, zoo officials arrange for them to be shipped to a private reptile facility in Florida, Cravalho said.

The state doesn't get any money from the animals, although the zoo sometimes does get something in return.

"In the last instance, we got some books," said Honolulu Zoo Director Ken Redmond. "It's not like we're trying to make a profit -- that's not what we're after at all."

The zoo ships the animals to Glades Herp Inc., which describes itself as having "America's largest and best selection of fine reptiles, amphibians and invertebrates" for "the collectors, breeders, zoos and educators of the world."

Redmond said not all the illegal animals are necessarily shipped out of state. "If the animals confiscated fit our master plan, we will retain them on occasion." The zoo would not destroy an animal, he said, although Cravalho said a decision would depend on how venomous an animal is.

Call the state's illegal animal hotline at 586-PEST (7378) if you spot an alien creature.

Auwe

I live on Kuakini Street and have noticed constant parking on the bridge nearest Nuuanu Avenue. In the past, when I've called police, I received lame excuses that they will not cite and tow because there is no sign. One side of the street does have a sign, but I would imagine that someone who can drive knows not to park on a bridge (there is a statute). I have written my representatives and called nearby businesses about this problem, but the cars continue to park on the bridge. -- D.H.

(Under Article 14, Sec. 15-14.1 of the Revised Ordinances of Honolulu, people are prohibited from "stopping, standing or parking" in specified places, including on or beneath a bridge. No signs stating this prohibition is required and police can cite violators, said Honolulu Police Department spokeswoman Michelle Yu.

(HPD's District 5 officials said officers have been reminded of this law and will cite vehicles found parked illegally, she said.)

Mahalo

To the kind person who took my dog to the Hawaiian Humane Society after it got hit by a car in Manoa on Thursday evening, Feb. 28. Mahalo also to the staff that night at the Humane Society. My dog died that night, but I am grateful for everyone's kindness. -- Senior Citizen in Manoa

---

Got a question or complaint?
Call 529-4773, fax 529-4750, or write to Kokua Line,
Honolulu Star-Bulletin, 500 Ala Moana Blvd., No. 7-210,
Honolulu 96813. As many as possible will be answered.
Email to kokualine@starbulletin.com