Posted on: Thursday, July 1, 2004

Waimanalo animal shelter forced to move

By Eloise Aguiar
Advertiser Windward O'ahu Writer

WAIMANALO — The state has auctioned a 20-acre parcel of agricultural land that has been home to an animal shelter for eight years, leaving the future of some 300 creatures in doubt.

Landscape Hawaii, which operates near Ke'ehi Lagoon, will pay $36,500 a year to lease the DLNR property and expects to take possession in 60 days, said spokeswoman Deborah Ward.

But Candy Lake, who operates the foundation, said she needs about six months to find a new location. She has been negotiating with a private landowner.

Bidding was spirited among four contenders yesterday morning in the breezeway of the department's Kalanimoku Building on Punchbowl Street, Ward said.

Bidding started at $4,764. Sylvester Foundation, which operates the sanctuary for abandoned and rescued animals, paid $3,500 a year for the land.

Nine people qualified to bid on the property, Ward said. The DLNR decided the Sylvester Foundation didn't qualify.

Lake said the foundation would have matched the offer if allowed to bid, but couldn't have paid that amount every year.

The DLNR has shown the Sylvester Foundation another piece of property in Waimanalo where it could move, but Ward said the foundation would have to apply for building and other permits and produce an environmental assessment.

She said the foundation needs about five acres. In preparation for a move, she plans to catch all the feral cats on the property and put them in a temporary pen. Meanwhile, the shelter is not accepting more animals.

Reach Eloise Aguiar at eaguiar@honoluluadvertiser.com or 234-5266.