Voice of Stephanie Salazar

Axis Deer in the area of South Point are on the agenda for the today’s Board of Land and Natural resources meeting.

The Department of Land and Natural resources is seeking board approval of a Right-of-Entry permit for the Division of Forestry and Wildlife to enter Department of Hawaiian Home Lands property in order to conduct surveys and remove Axis Deer.

DLNR officials have received credible reports that the deer are in the area, and have confirmed the sightings.

The DLNR considers the deer on the island to be a serious problem with far reaching environmental and economic impacts to agriculture and native ecosystems. The deer have already caused extensive problems for Maui County, officials say.

The Board will vote on whether or not to grant the R.O.E. permit during their Friday meeting in Honolulu.