The nonvenomous snake is commonly found in Asia and the East Indies, but not common in the pet trade in the U.S. It is not known how the snake arrived in Hawai'i.

On Friday, a construction worker working at Pier 2 in Hilo Harbor saw the 2-foot-long snake under the pier and was able to kill it. The incident happened at about 9:30 a.m. and inspectors from the Hawai'i Department of Agriculture were called to pick up the snake.

The snake was flown to O'ahu late Friday afternoon and identified Monday by a herpetologist at the Bishop Museum.

Snakes are illegal in Hawai'i and anyone spotting a snake should not try to handle it, state officials said. Snakes have no natural predators in Hawai'i and pose a serious threat to the state's environment. Many species also prey on birds and their eggs, increasing the threat to endangered native birds. Large snakes can also be a danger to the public and small pets.

Individuals who have illegal animals are encouraged to turn them in under the state's amnesty program, which provides immunity from prosecution. Illegal animals may be turned in to any HDOA Office, municipal zoo or Humane Society — no questions asked and no fines assessed.