Upcountry Maui

Upcountry Maui isn't like anywhere else in Hawaii, where the scent of woodsmoke curls up from the chimneys on cool nights. The elevation and windward face bring cooler, wetter weather to Upcoutry Maui and thicker, lusher fields and forests.

The former ranching towns of Makawao and Olinda are nestled about 3000 feet above the ocean, on the windward side of Haleakala. Upcountry Maui has herds of axis deer, dairy cattle with open pastures and innumerable hidden woodland dens known only to local residents.

The people are a mix of old families, independent newcomers, and apparently one large night predator. It started around December of 2002 when there were reports of a large wild cat appearing in front of car headlights, scratching trees and posts, scent marking, chasing or attacking smaller animals, and growling in the deep gulches and dark stands of forest.

Maui Night Predator

At first a lot of people figured the cat was a hoax by, maybe, some high school kids, or somebody trying to keep aimless wanderers from stumbling across his hidden garden of illegal herbs, but since the state got involved in the summer the facts are clear.

The State of Hawaii brought in a big animal tracker from the mainland who helped collect hair samples and the like, while instructing staffers in the Hawaii Department of Land and Natural Resources - Division of Forestry and Wildlife how to spot clues and set traps. They suspect a large wild predator, and they know this cat is still out there stalking and hunting.

After tests they concluded the cat was either a leopard, jaguar, or mountain lion, so in June Land and Natural Resources officials put out four traps in a gulch in the Olinda area. Two of the baited traps were disturbed in two nights.

As DLNR Maui wildlife biologist Fern Duvall said, "We did observe that one trap which was found flipped, and twisted yesterday, was again twisted and flipped today. The wire nearest to the bait had been pulled out, thus deforming it. This would require quite some strength to accomplish."

After investigation wild cat expert William Van Pelt reported that a large cat was responsible for killing a 30-pound deer found in lower Olinda in July, and in the fall a 60-pound pet dog probably was slashed by this predator cat.

Olinda

The cat's territory seems to be in and around the small town of Olinda, which is what an old Spanish paniolo (cowboy) is said to have exclaimed a long time ago: "Oh, beautiful."

Olinda is good territory for a large predator. It's rural and laced by numerous ravines and thick woods, giving the Maui cat lots of places to hide. There's plenty of wildlife and lots of domestic animals around the area, so dining isn't a concern.

The current thinking is that the mystery cat was a non-domestic pet that escaped from its owner. Because owning such a cat is illegal, most people figure the owner isn't going to talk to the authorities about it: Possessing such a cat is a felony with a maximum fine of $200,000 and three years in jail.

But people pondering the mystery of the Maui wildcat are concerned. The cat has been reported on the loose for about a year, which means not only has it grown, more ominously, it has gained a year of experience hunting, avoiding capture, stalking, and prowling, and an older, bigger, more confident and able predator isn't exactly safe among people and pets.

Where is it now?

Curiously, reported sightings of the cat stopped after October 28, so in late November of 2003, the state of Hawaii put its cat trapping effort on hold. Either the predator has moved to a more secluded hunting ground, has been recaptured by its owner, died, or has better adapted to avoiding people.

If you're going Upcountry, be alert and attentive and report sightings or unusual events immediately to the Hawaii Division of Forestry and Wildlife at (808) 873-3502, or to Maui Police Dispatch.

If hiking don't wander off open trails into dense undergrowth. Check the state's site below for pictures of sighting habitats. Exercise caution and do NOT approach or try to capture this animal.

Update

In mid-January 2004 residents in Wailea reported seeing the cat. Wailea is about 15 miles away from Olinda, so it's likely that the cat just left Olinda when it felt pressured by traps and wildlife investigators.

Status Report On Maui Mystery Cat State of Hawaii
Maui Invasive Species
Star Bulletin