Tantalus residents gripe
about wild pigs

State officials consider another hunt
in the area to decrease the
prolific pig population

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By Rosemarie Bernardo
rbernardo@starbulletin.com

Residents in the Makiki-Tantalus area continue to spot wild pigs in their neighborhood despite a recent state-sponsored hunting season to control the animals.

Around 11 a.m. yesterday, Lynda Sakraida spotted a large wild pig near the 3.5-mile marker along Tantalus Drive.

The pig retreated into some bushes after being spotted.

"The pig population has worsened over the years," said Sakraida, a 19-year resident of Kalaiopua Place.

Like Sakraida, other Tantalus residents see a continuous need to control the pigs they say cause soil erosion and damage to native plants.

So state officials are considering another hunting season in the same area.

"We know there are still some pigs up there," said Aaron Lowe, Na Ala Hele trails and access specialist for the state Department of Land and Natural Resources.

John Polhemus, wildlife biologist with the Forestry and Wildlife Division, described the trial hunting season as a success with a total of 15 wild pigs captured in 22 hunting trips.

About 66 hunters participated in the twice-a-week hunts from April 2 to June 27.

"We were pleased with the way things went," said Polhemus.

Tantalus resident Diana Tusher supports more hunting seasons.

"The problem has not gone away ... They're (the pigs) overpopulated and destructive," she said.

Tusher said she has spent days shoveling dirt and replanting plants uprooted by wild pigs along trails near her Round Top Drive home.

"They're not like the 'Three Little Pigs,' " she said.

Lowe said similar hunting seasons are being considered for other areas like Maunawili Trail and walking trails in Waianae.

However, animal activist Cathy Goeggel believes the state's approach to controlling the wild pig population is inhumane and suggests sterilization as a way to reduce the number of pigs.

Goeggel, director of research and investigation of Animal Activists of Hawaii, said officials in Africa used sterilization to control elephants after residents complained they were encroaching on their homes.

"To be considered civilized, we should look for compassionate ways to control the (wild pig) population," Goeggel said.