Raccoons are clever mammals known for getting into trash and other mischief. If you’ve wondered whether these masked bandits have made their way to the Hawaiian islands, you’re not alone.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer: no, there are no wild raccoons currently living in Hawaii. However, raccoons have been introduced to the islands before and caused problems, so Hawaiian authorities work hard to keep them out.
In this article, we’ll look at the history of raccoon introductions in Hawaii, why the environment appeals to them, the damage they can cause, and the strict biosecurity measures in place to prevent new populations from taking hold.
A History of Raccoon Introductions in Hawaii
Early Failed Introductions
The first attempts to introduce raccoons to Hawaii were made in the late 1800s. However, these early efforts failed and the raccoons did not establish stable populations. For example, in 1883, a rancher named Campbell imported a pair of raccoons to breed on his property on Molokai island.
But the raccoons soon died out without leaving any descendants behind. There were a few other such failed introductions on islands like Maui and Hawaii over the next couple of decades.
The Oahu Infestation of the 1880s-1900s
The first successful introduction of raccoons in Hawaii happened in the 1880s on Oahu island. A group of ten wild raccoons imported from California was released into the forests around Honolulu in late 1883 or early 1884.
These founding raccoons adapted well to the tropical habitat and began breeding rapidly. Within two decades, the population had grown to over 200,000 individuals according to some estimates.
The raccoons caused extensive damage to native birds and crops across Oahu during this time. Sugar cane plantations reported losing up to 90% of their crops to the masked bandits. The raccoons also preyed heavily on ground-nesting birds like the Laysan duck which became nearly extinct on Oahu as a result.
Government-sponsored trapping programs brought down raccoon numbers substantially by the early 1900s. But isolated populations remained scattered across the forests of the island even after the main infestation was eliminated.
Continued Vigilance in Keeping Raccoons Out
There have been no major raccoon invasions in Hawaii since the early 20th century. Quick response efforts successfully eradicated small-scale introductions of raccoons in 1950 on Kauai and 1996 on Maui by trapping the founding individuals.
Currently, Oahu is the only Hawaiian island with an established raccoon population.
Preventing new raccoon introductions remains a high priority for Hawaii’s wildlife authorities. All incoming cargo deliveries and shipments go through strict inspection protocols focused on detecting stowaway mammals.
Fines of up to $200,000 can be imposed on vessels with lapses allowing vertebrate introductions. Airport runways and surrounding areas are also regularly monitored for signs of unauthorized animals. Thanks to these vigilance efforts, Hawaii has been successful in keeping its islands free of most problematic invasive mammals over the past few decades.
Raccoons remain crafty animals difficult to catch or deter though. Just last year, a pet raccoon escaping from its owner created havoc in a Honolulu suburb for weeks before being humanely trapped. So while Hawaii’s biosecurity programs have drastically reduced invasion risks, maintaining constant watchfulness remains key to deal with any raccoons attempting to sneak through the cracks!
Why Raccoons Find Hawaii Appealing
Abundant Food Sources
Hawaii’s tropical climate and lack of large predators have allowed various introduced small mammals like raccoons to thrive on the islands. Raccoons are omnivorous and can find plenty to eat in Hawaii’s forests and urban areas.
Hawaii has an abundance of sweet, fleshy fruits that raccoons relish, like mangoes, bananas, papayas, and coconuts. They also eat eggs from ground-nesting birds, small reptiles, amphibians, and invertebrates.
In urban areas, raccoons readily avail themselves of pet food, unsecured trash, and unattended food waste.
Tropical Climate
Hawaii’s warm, relatively stable climate in the low to mid 80s Fahrenheit provides an ideal environment for raccoons accustomed to more variable climates. The lack of freezing winters allows them to remain active year-round and breed multiple times annually.
Raccoons also benefit from Hawaii’s moderate seasonal variations in precipitation. While they prefer drier habitats, Hawaiian raccoons adapt readily to wet tropical forests by utilizing tree cavities, rocky crevices, and burrows for shelter and protection.
Lack of Predators
Unlike their original North American habitats, Hawaii lacks large predators that prey significantly on raccoons. With fewer natural population checks, their numbers have increased exponentially since introduction in the late 1800s.
Feral cats and dogs kill some young raccoons, but overall predation levels remain low. Unconstrained by predation pressure, raccoons on Hawaii can thrive and multiply in both natural and human-altered environments.
The Impact of Raccoon Destruction
Agricultural Damage
Raccoons are incredibly destructive to agriculture and livestock. Their nimble paws allow them to easily access crops, where they can damage plants, spoil produce, and spread disease. Hawaii’s tropical fruit industry would be especially vulnerable.
Avocado, mango, and breadfruit trees would likely suffer extensive damage from raccoons climbing branches, breaking limbs, and ravaging ripe fruit. Vegetable gardens and poultry farms would also sustain losses.
For example, a recent study in California estimated statewide damages from wildlife, including raccoons, at $187 million annually for over 200 different crops (Wow, that’s a huge loss!). Raccoons also transmit diseases like avian influenza to chicken coops, posing economic and health risks.
Introducing them to Hawaii could spur millions in agricultural damages and lost revenue.
Harm to Native Species
Hawaii is home to over 10,000 native species found nowhere else on Earth. Over 90% of its native terrestrial vertebrates are endemic (unique to the islands). Raccoons would likely prey on many rare birds, eggs, and native invertebrates, hastening extinctions.
Experts consider invasive mammals one of the greatest threats to Hawaii’s distinctive flora and fauna.
For example, raccoons contributed to extinctions of endemic birds after being introduced to the Caribbean and Japan. Hawaii’s ground-nesting waterfowl and seabirds would be especially vulnerable. Even species protected in upland forests and offshore islands may not escape determined raccoon predators.
Preventing raccoon establishment is critical to protecting Hawaii’s unparalleled biodiversity.
Disease Risks
Raccoons host a variety of nasty parasites and pathogens transmittable to humans, pets, wildlife, and livestock. For example, they are among the most common carriers of rabies in the United States. Their feces frequently contain dangerous parasites like Baylisascaris and Salmonella.
Introducing raccoons could spread these and other diseases throughout the islands.
In Japan, raccoons helped establish rabies in the wild when several escaped a quarantined research facility. Over 2600 animals have since tested positive. While Hawaii is currently rabies-free, infected raccoons would put residents and visitors at risk of this deadly and incurable viral disease attacking the brain and nervous system.
Keeping Hawaii raccoon-free protects public and animal health from significant threats.
Preventing New Populations from Taking Hold
Airport Control Efforts
Hawaii’s airports are on the frontlines of preventing invasive species like raccoons from arriving and establishing populations. Staff are diligent in searching cargo, luggage, and planes for potential hitchhiking animals. Any raccoons found are captured humanely.
Between 2002-2012, over 2,500 potential invasive animals were intercepted this way, according to the Hawaii Invasive Species Council.
Additional detector dogs were added in 2015 to aid searches. Public education reminders on what not to transport play periodically in terminals. Fines of $200-$25,000 deter unauthorized import attempts.
Thanks to everyone’s combined efforts, no raccoons have breached airports yet despite some close calls.
Public Education
Getting word out to visitors and residents alike is key. The Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR) spreads statewide announcements whenever an unusual mammal like a raccoon is spotted and not yet caught.
Both the DLNR and Hawaii Invasive Species Council (HISC) maintain informative websites and social media accounts highlighting invasion risks.
The HISC also works with car rental agencies. Tourists watch a mandatory video on bringing in pests before driving off the lot. Rental contracts have strict clauses against transporting problematic species. Similar training videos play for cruise passengers too.
These initiatives help travelers understand Hawaii’s fragility to introduced wildlife.
Managing Food Waste Responsibly
Keeping food scraps and waste contained is important so as not to attract opportunistic animals to ports or populated areas. This can reduce invasion chances. State bill SB3093, proposed in 2018, aimed to cut food waste 25% by 2025 through donations, compositing initiatives, and waste-to-energy programs.
Citizens can help by composting through curbside collection services, not feeding feral animals, and promptly fixing any rat or pest issues that provide food sources. Businesses must secure and properly dispose of food debris under health codes too.
Implementing these waste management best practices island-wide deprives potential invaders sustenance.
Conclusion
Raccoons may seem fun and cute, but they can wreak havoc on Hawaii’s fragile island ecosystems and agricultural industries. Fortunately, with continued vigilance through biosecurity programs, public education, and responsible waste management, the islands have so far been successful keeping populations from establishing long-term.
While an occasional stowaway raccoon might still turn up, authorities have containment protocols in place to capture and humanely euthanize them before they can breed. So visitors and residents can rest assured there are no pesky neighborhood raccoons to contend with in this tropical island paradise.