New bill angers Oahu bird owners

HONOLULU (AP) — A bill requiring Oahu residents with 10 or more birds to get a permit is receiving quite a bit of pushback from bird enthusiasts.

City Council Bill 51, which goes into effect Wednesday, states that anyone with 10 or more nonpoultry birds on a residential property has to obtain a bird facility permit from the city Department of Planning and Permitting. The bill goes further by requiring applicants to get consent from two-thirds of nearby property owners.

The city would be allowed to enter a property to inspect it and ensure that things are clean and that noise or odors are not bothersome to neighbors, reported The Honolulu Star-Advertiser (https://bit.ly/1eCf5TH ).

Bird clubs and enthusiasts have banded together in opposition of the bill. Some have said they fear it will lead owners to set excess birds free, a potential hazard to endangered species. They also argue that current provisions surrounding noise and sanitation of all animals are enough.

Cameron Datanagan, Hawaii representative for the National Pigeon Association, said he doesn’t understand the reason for the bill.

“It’s not like dog mills,” Datanagan said. “It’s not like there are bird mills. We’re not pumping out birds just to sell. A lot of people treat their birds like their own children.”

Councilwoman Carol Fukunaga said she introduced the bill, which is based on a Portland, Oregon ordinance, after receiving numerous complaints from constituents in Nuuanu, Liliha and Papakolea. The bill would be particularly beneficial in areas with “homes that are sort of close together,” she said.

The fee amount associated with violation of the measure is left up to the discretion of the director, who must use the cost of administration and enforcement as a guide.

Department spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi said the permit is free and is good for up to three years.