Sustainable Solutions


​Axis deer and other invasive mammals are consuming agricultural crops, increasing erosion rates, and causing top-down effects on ecosystems, agriculture and food security.

Leila Eats Invasives is our friendly, light-hearted social media campaign to increase awareness of this issue.  We post weekly updates and stories on Facebook and Instagram, all featuring our beloved Golden Retriever, Leila.

On a more serious note, we've prepared a policy brief for decision-makers.  We recommend that the State of Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture establish custom processing regulations for wild game. Custom-exempt legislation would permit the slaughtering of wild game and direct sale of meat to consumers who are members of a “herd share” or similar organization. Producers act as agents who arrange transportation to the slaughter and processing facility.

*This project is made possible with funding from the County of Maui, Department of Environmental Management - Protection & Sustainability.

Ecological

Wild ungulates destroy vegetation, accelerates erosion, modifies soil chemistry, and spreads threatening weeds.  Left unimpeded, they will continue to destroy crops and pollute streams.  Moreover, meat that is humanely and safely harvested has no adverse impacts on water quality or the environment.

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Superior Nutrition

 Wild game is free of hormones and antibiotics, is not genetically modified, and does not contribute to the proliferation of super-bugs. It holds a healthy balance of omega-6 and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids and is richer in iron, niacin and B vitamins than the meat from ordinary livestock. It typically contains fewer calories than commercially raised meat and has more protein.

Economical

A "herd share" or cooperative would allow members to pool their funds and create a business that they own, control democratically, and benefit from financially based on how much they patronize (or use) the cooperative. Cooperatives creates market opportunities, helps underrepresented people, keeps profits in the local community, and fights climate change.