The Hawaii state legislature is considering House Bill 1012, which would prohibit the display or performance of live wild or exotic animals in the state.  In the bill text (see attached), the sponsor refers to an isolated incident from 20 years ago to claim that all wild or exotic animals used for commercial display are subject to extreme stress and inhumane treatment. 

HI HB 1012 will go before the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee for a hearing on Wednesday, February 11, at 2:30PM PST.  Please take a moment to contact the members of the Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee with a short e-mail, phone call, or FAX.   Politely express your opposition to a ban on wild and exotic displays and performances, and urge the Committee members to vote NO on HB 1012.  Sample talking points for your reference are listed at the end of this alert, but please use your own words and your own experiences as a circus animal supporter in your remarks. 

Thank for your help!

Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee members:

Group email for all 16 Committee members (copy and paste into the “To” section of your email):

repmckelvey@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repwoodson@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repbelatti@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repbrower@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repcreagan@Capitol.hawaii.gov; rephar@Capitol.hawaii.gov; rephashem@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repkawakami@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repclee@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repnakashima@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repmoshiro@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repsanbuenaventura@Capitol.hawaii.gov; reptakayama@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repyamane@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repfukumoto@Capitol.hawaii.gov; repmcdermott@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Angus L.K. McKelvey, Chair

Phone: 808-586-6160

FAX: 808-586-6161

repmckelvey@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Justin H. Woodson, Vice Chair

Phone: 808-586-6210

FAX: 808-586-6211

repwoodson@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Della Au Belatti

Phone: 808-586-9425

FAX: 808-586-9431

repbelatti@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Tom Brower

Phone: 808-586-8520

FAX: 808-586-8524

repbrower@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Richard P. Creagan

Phone: 808-586-9605

FAX: 808-586-9608

repcreagan@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Sharon E. Har

Phone: 808-586-8500

FAX: 808-586-8504

rephar@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Mark J. Hashem

Phone: 808-586-6510

FAX: 808-586-6511

rephashem@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Derek S.K. Kawakami

Phone: 808-586-8435

FAX: 808-586-8437

repkawakami@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Chris Lee

Phone: 808-586-9450

FAX: 808-586-9456

repclee@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Mark M. Nakashima

Phone: 808-586-6680

FAX: 808-586-6684

repnakashima@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Marcus R. Oshiro

Phone: 808-586-6700

FAX: 808-586-6702

repmoshiro@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Joy A. San Buenaventura

Phone: 808-586-6530

FAX: 808-586-6531

repsanbuenaventura@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Gregg Takayama

Phone: 808-586-6340

FAX: 808-586-6341

reptakayama@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Ryan I. Yamane

Phone: 808-586-6150

FAX: 808-586-6151

repyamane@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Beth Fukumoto Chang

Phone: 808-586-9460

FAX: not listed

repfukumoto@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Representative Bob McDermott

Phone: 808-586-9730

FAX: 808-586-9738

repmcdermott@Capitol.hawaii.gov

Sample talking points:

The following are suggestions for your correspondence, but please use your own words, and you do not need to include every bullet point.  Please keep all correspondence respectful.

·         All circuses and exotic animal exhibitors are required to have a United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) exhibitor’s license.  These are the same rules that apply to zoos.  USDA conducts regular unannounced inspections of performing animals and their stable areas, and their inspection reports are a matter of public record.

·         Animal exhibitors are also subject to state and local animal cruelty laws in Hawaii.  Such regulations provide protection to all performing animals and allow for the prosecution of those who neglect or mistreat the animals in their care.

·         If any animal is being mistreated in any environment, then the right answer is to enforce existing laws and regulations to punish bad actors, as opposed to punishing an entire industry and the public who enjoy exotic animal exhibitions and performances.

·         By prohibiting the use of the listed animals in any performance the bill would also prohibit the use of such animals in film, TV or other exhibition activities.

·         Circuses and other animal exhibitions contribute to the local economies of the communities they perform in and help support charitable groups and municipal arenas.

·         There is no scientific or factual basis for the assumption in the bill that animals that do not travel regularly are safer or better cared for than those that do.  Numerous studies have been done that validate the good welfare of circus animals.

·         Such legislation will do nothing but further the agenda of animal rights groups who want to see an end to all animal-human interactions.