A small herd of axis deer follows a trail through tall grass in a Wailea lot last month. Experts say the number of deer on Maui is growing. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
MAKAWAO — Experts say axis deer numbers are rising on Maui, and lawmakers are looking for ways to manage an invasive species considered both environmentally destructive and desirable for hunting.
Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino recently made a pitch at the state Legislature for $3.5 million for axis deer management, pointing to concerns about vehicle collisions, property damage, disease, crop impacts and threats to native species and ecosystems.
Vehicle and deer collisions in 2019 more than doubled from the year before, according to Maui Police Department data.
However, axis deer, which were introduced to Maui around the 1960s, are viewed as a vital resource for Maui County as well.
“We understand that deer populations also contribute to the subsistence hunting lifestyle and cultural practices of residents on Maui, Molokai and Lanai,” county spokesman Christopher Sugidono said this week. “Thus, we are asking state lawmakers to appropriate funds to help substantially reduce and manage the axis deer overpopulation — provided that the population is managed properly rather than eradicated.”
Axis deer bound across a Wailea cart path. There are large populations of axis deer Upcountry, from Paia to Ulupalakua. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Venison meat is sought by local hunters, chefs and consumers. Known for tasting similar to beef, deer meat is leaner and often healthier when raised in the wild and harvested humanely.
“I like hunting because culturally and spiritually I love to be close to the land and the ocean and be a part of it all,” said Keoni Wong, a Native Hawaiian and Pukalani resident who grew up hunting. “I also love the challenge of the hunt and the satisfaction of eating something I worked hard to attain.”
The duality of axis deer means that customized management is all the more important, according to Teya Penniman, former Maui Invasive Species Committee manager who participated in a now-disbanded working group to study Maui axis deer.
“Best management practices depend on the objectives and community desires,” she said. “For Maui, any management strategy should be island-based (a Maui strategy is not appropriate for Molokai or Lanai), community-driven and should include meaningful consultation, input and participation from kanaka maoli.”
Deer in headlights
Axis deer run within 20 yards of a Wailea house. The county is seeking funding from the state Legislature to help control the population. — The Maui News / MATTHEW THAYER photo
Landscaper Roger Acob was driving just after dusk in Makena last week when a herd of 30 axis deer darted across the road.
His vehicle collided with one of the animals and killed it. The crash also caused about $700 in damage to the company truck, according to Aiko Da Silva, Chris Curtis Landscapes co-owner.
“(I had) a split-second decision of whether to swerve into the other lane and hit another car or hold on and hit the deer,” Acob said, adding that he was “freaked out.”
Jake Muise, owner and founder of ungulate management company Kia Hawaii, said vehicle dents from deer are commonplace on Molokai and Lanai, which have a slower pace of life.
“But you hit a deer going 55 (mph) on Haleakala (Highway)?” he said. “That’s not a joke.”
Maui Police Lt. Audra Sellers said there were 54 vehicular incidents involving deer in 2019. There were 20 deer collisions in 2018. No human fatalities occurred in any of the collisions.
If motorists see deer, they should look for the rest of the herd because there are probably more, Sellers said. If deer are obstructing the lane, “brake, don’t swerve. Stay in your lane; swerving could make you lose control of your vehicle or hit another vehicle.”
Also, she advised to watch for the animals, especially during dusk and dawn, when they are most active. If colliding with a deer, pull to the side of the road as soon as it is safe, Sellers said. Use lights and hazard lights; stay inside the vehicle until it is safe. Then, call police to let them know about injuries or roadway hazards.
Finally, Sellers said to stay away from the deer.
“If it is still alive but injured, it could be dangerous to approach,” she said.
Moving target for data
Finding a plan for management requires accurate data on population, habitat, breeding, movement and more, experts have said. The challenge is that data are varied, and a Maui group meant to study axis deer for management purposes disbanded years ago due to lack of funding.
Muise, however, is a leader when it comes to tracking deer population estimates.
His Big Island-based Kia Hawaii focuses on axis deer management throughout Maui County and works with local ranches. The decade-old company that employs crews from Maui and other islands also specializes in the use of FLIR (forward-looking infrared radar) technology, a thermal imaging tool used for population assessments and U.S. Department of Agriculture harvesting.
Muise said Kia Hawaii has surveyed more than 250,000 acres on Maui, Molokai and Lanai over the last three years and his studies are 95 percent accurate.
According to Muise’s data:
• Molokai has 50,000 to 70,000 deer.
• Lanai has 25,000 to 30,000 deer.
• Maui has about 35,000 to 50,000 deer.
While Molokai and Lanai are at carrying capacity, meaning populations won’t get much larger, Maui is 25 to 30 years away from carrying capacity, he said. Muise said his company anticipates a deer carrying capacity for Maui to be 210,000.
Traditional visual and aerial surveys, often used by state Department of Land and Natural Resources for state lands, are probably 50 percent accurate, he said.
“They don’t have the same equipment we have,” Muise said.
An aerial study by a Maui deer working group in 2016 showed the population of axis deer at about 10,000 on Maui, said Penniman, who is now special projects director at UH Manoa Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit. She added that it’s important to repeat the same methods if comparing studies.
“Anecdotally, it seems like deer numbers are increasing, but I would not want to hazard a guess as to current population numbers,” Penniman said. “I note that when we did those initial surveys, some people said there had to be at least 50,000 deer on the island.
“It is virtually impossible to come up with a meaningful estimate of deer numbers without real science. It’s unfortunate there wasn’t sustainable funding for management of axis deer on Maui.”
Longer-term studies also are needed to get a true picture.
“So many things can affect population levels: drought, flooding, habitat changes, hunting pressure, disease, etc.,” Penniman said. “Longer-term observations, along with collection of other relevant data (e.g., precipitation, hunter harvests, birth and mortality rates), are important for interpreting the data correctly.”
Scott Fretz, Maui branch manager for DLNR’s Division of Forestry and Wildlife, said axis deer are increasing because they’re “continuing to expand their range.”
“Deer move around whether it’s wet or dry, and they’re going to increase or decrease whether it’s wet or dry,” he said. “The reason why we say they’re increasing is because we know their range is continuing to expand from where they were.”
Muise said core areas for deer are Upcountry — from Paia up to Ulupalakua from sea level to 7,000 feet — along with a large population in Kaupo. There are smaller populations in West and East Maui.
Community-based deer management
Ranchers and farmers have seen deer populations “dramatically increase,” according to Sugidono. The rise comes at the expense of local agriculture, native animals and native plants, which are vital to watershed areas, he said.
Earlier this week, a recent video of 100 deer trampling vegetation and kicking up soil in North Kihei was shown during a presentation on South Maui watersheds during a Kihei Community Association meeting.
Also, the Maui County Council this week discussed deer management and called MISC manager Adam Radford as an expert.
Radford told The Maui News on Friday that although MISC does not manage deer due to funding limitations, “effective management of a very invasive species is something we support.”
“There are a lot of examples throughout the U.S. and the world that show how you can effectively manage deer or other ungulates,” he said. “There are templates out there, and if we are able to implement those (Maui County) could be effective.”
Aside from expensive fencing, few options exist for management. Many local experts agree that it’s important to strike a balance between deer as an invasive species and one that provides benefits to the local community.
“We want to take an invasive species and utilize that animal,” Muise said. “If there was a viable market for coqui frogs, or if we could eat coqui, that would be great.
“But they don’t taste so good,” he laughed.
Sugidono said the county is hoping to receive $3.5 million from the state. Management efforts are in early stages but would be community-based, he added.
“The state Legislature has promoted local and sustainable food production and agree that axis deer pose a significant threat to local economies by destroying crops and competing with livestock for forage,” he said.
In 2001, a working group formed to tackle the problem never got past a draft plan, Penniman said. After dissolving, an informal version resurfaced in 2010 with support of farmers, ranchers, hunters, wildlife biologists, government representatives and leaders from the hospitality industry.
They finished a draft management plan that focused on a community-based approach and hired a coordinator with state and county funding. However, the group eventually dissolved again due to lack of funding.
“It’s unfortunate there wasn’t sustainable funding for management of axis deer on Maui,” Penniman said.
* Kehaulani Cerizo can be reached at kcerizo@mauinews.com.
Today's breaking news and more in your inbox
The Maui News Maui County Department of Finance Director Scott Teruya was placed on administrative leave on last ...
Holy Innocents Episcopal Church, formerly on Front Street in Lahaina Town and destroyed by the fire, announced the ...
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7rq3UoqWer6NjsLC5jqecsKtfobykrctmpZ6vo2R%2FcX6PaGdqZ5GttrR5w56cq2Wfo3q1tMRmqaKrlWKyubzEq6usZaOWxnA%3D