Invasive and nonnative animals in Hawaii
Last checked November 3, 2026 against official sources.
On this page
- Brown Tree Snake (invasive species profile)
- Coqui frog (invasive species profile)
- Jackson's Chameleon (invasive species profile)
- Veiled Chameleon (invasive species profile)
- Examples of Invasive Species in Hawaii
- Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) (invasive species profile)
- Africanized Honey Bee (invasive species profile)
- Nettle Caterpillar (invasive species profile)
- Mongoose (Urva auropunctata) (invasive species profile)
- Feral Cats (invasive species profile)
- USGS established records
- How to report
- Sources
20 nonnative animals are named on 10 official lists for Hawaii: “Brown Tree Snake (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Coqui frog (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Jackson's Chameleon (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Veiled Chameleon (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Examples of Invasive Species in Hawaii” (Hawaii DLNR), “Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Africanized Honey Bee (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Nettle Caterpillar (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR), “Mongoose (Urva auropunctata) (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR) and “Feral Cats (invasive species profile)” (Hawaii DLNR).
The USGS Nonindigenous Aquatic Species database records an established population in Hawaii for 8 nonnative animals in the groups this guide covers.
To report a sighting, see how to report.
Being on a list of nonnative species does not always mean an animal is harmful or established: each list below is described in its source's terms. A sighting of a listed animal is still worth reporting to the agency.
Brown Tree Snake (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Pavel Kirillov from St.Petersburg, Russia · CC BY-SA 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Brown tree snake Boiga irregularis
NOT established; eight found live or dead in Hawaii between 1981 and 1998, all associated with cargo or vehicles from Guam Hawaii DLNR
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Coqui frog (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Cricket Raspet · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Coqui frog Eleutherodactylus coqui
Hawai'i Island: HISC says to control it on your property there; report it on O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i and Kaua'i (HISC) Hawaii DLNR
Jackson's Chameleon (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Nils · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Jackson's chameleon Chamaeleo jacksonii
Hawai'i Island, Maui, O'ahu; not established on Kaua'i or Lana'i Hawaii DLNR
Veiled Chameleon (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Σ64 · CC BY 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons Veiled chameleon Chamaeleo calyptratus
Upcountry Maui Hawaii DLNR
Examples of Invasive Species in Hawaii
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 11 animals.
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Photo: Jesse Rorabaugh · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Argentine ant Linepithema humile
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Photo: Cody Stricker · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Axis deer Axis axis
Maui, Moloka'i, Lana'i (DLNR hunting table) Hawaii DLNR
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Photo: T meltzer · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Barn owl Tyto alba
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Photo: Jake Nitta · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Big-headed ant Pheidole megacephala
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Coconut rhinoceros beetle Oryctes rhinoceros
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Little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata
Widespread on Hawai'i Island (HISC: 'infestation is widespread on Hawaiʻi Island'); HISC asks people on O'ahu and in Maui County to submit suspected ant samples Hawaii DLNR
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Rat lungworm (parasitic nematode) Angiostrongylus cantonensis
DOH: human cases and infected snails and slugs identified on all of the islands Hawaii DLNR
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Photo: Dario Taraborelli · CC0 1.0 · iNaturalist Red-masked parakeet Aratinga erythrogenys
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Photo: Stosh Morency · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Red-vented bulbul Pycnonotus cafer
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Photo: Dan Killam · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Red-whiskered bulbul Pycnonotus jocosus
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Photo: portioid · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Tropical fire ant Solenopsis geminata
Common throughout Hawai'i (HISC RIFA page) Hawaii DLNR
Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Judy Gallagher · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons Red imported fire ant Solenopsis invicta
NOT established; an infested package from Florida was intercepted at a Honolulu post office in 1991 Hawaii DLNR
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Africanized Honey Bee (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: SAplants · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons · resized Africanized honey bee Apis mellifera scutellata
NOT established; report highly aggressive bees to HDOA / 643-PEST Hawaii DLNR
Nettle Caterpillar (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Tara Severns · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Nettle caterpillar Darna pallivitta
All of the main Hawaiian islands Hawaii DLNR
Mongoose (Urva auropunctata) (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Small Indian mongoose Herpestes javanicus
O'ahu, Maui, Moloka'i, Hawai'i Island; not established on Kaua'i or Lana'i Hawaii DLNR
Feral Cats (invasive species profile)
Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR), undated page. 1 animal.
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Photo: Sawyer Baran · CC BY 4.0 · iNaturalist Feral cat Felis catus
All eight main islands Hawaii DLNR
Established in Hawaii, per USGS records
The U.S. Geological Survey's Nonindigenous Aquatic Species (NAS) database tracks nonnative aquatic animals. These have at least one record with the status "established" in Hawaii, which USGS defines as a population showing evidence of reproduction and overwinter survival.
| Animal | Group | First record | Latest record | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Australian spotted jellyfish Phyllorhiza punctata | Sharks and Marine Life | 1941 | 2023 | 1 |
| Cane Toad Rhinella marina | Frogs and Toads | 1932 | 2021 | 5 |
| Chinese softshell Pelodiscus sinensis | Turtles | 1900 | 2016 | 3 |
| Coqui Eleutherodactylus coqui | Frogs and Toads | 1998 | 2025 | 4 |
| Green and Black Poison Dart Frog Dendrobates auratus | Frogs and Toads | 1932 | 2025 | 2 |
| Greenhouse Frog Eleutherodactylus planirostris | Frogs and Toads | 1999 | 2019 | 4 |
| Japanese Wrinkled Frog Glandirana rugosa | Frogs and Toads | 1896 | 2025 | 4 |
| Wattle-necked Softshell Palea steindachneri | Turtles | 1900 | 2015 | 2 |
Source: U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026]. "Native Transplant" animals are native elsewhere in the US but not in Hawaii.
How to report a sighting in Hawaii
Invasive species (including any snake sighting): Pest Hotline 808-643-PEST (643-7378) or online at 643pest.org. Hawaii DLNR
Do not try to catch or handle the animal. A photo taken from a safe distance, the place and the date help the agency.
Sources
- Brown Tree Snake (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Not known to be established in Hawai'i, Call 911 or 643-PEST immediately to report any snake sighting.”
- Coqui frog (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Native to Puerto Rico, accidentally introduced to Hawai'i hidden in plants around or before 1988.”
- Jackson's Chameleon (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“…now has established free ranging populations on the islands of Hawai'i, Maui, and O'ahu”
- Veiled Chameleon (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Maui: Populations have been found in Upcountry”
- Examples of Invasive Species in Hawaii. Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (12)
“Argentine Ant (Linepithema humile)”
“Axis Deer (Axis axis)”
“Barn Owl (Tyto alba)”
“Big-headed Ant (Pheidole megacephala)”
“Coconut Rhinoceros Beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros)”
“Little Fire Ant (Wasmannia auropunctata)”
“Rat Lungworm (Angiostrongylus cantonensis – parasitic nematode (roundworm parasite))”
“Red-masked Parakeet (Aratinga erythrogenys)”
“Red-vented Bulbul (Pycnonotus cafer)”
“Red-whiskered Bulbul (Pycnonotus jocosus)”
“Tropical Fire Ant (Solenopsis geminata)”
“Report Invasive Species Online at 643pest.org Report Invasive Species by Phone: 808 643-PEST”
- Red Imported Fire Ant (RIFA) (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Not known to be established in Hawai'i”
- Africanized Honey Bee (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Not known to be established in Hawai'i”
- Nettle Caterpillar (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Originally from Southeast Asia, stinging nettle caterpillars were first found on the Big Island in 2001.”
- Mongoose (Urva auropunctata) (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Report this species to 643pest.org or call 808-643-7378 (643-PEST) if seen on Kaua'i or Lana'i.”
- Feral Cats (invasive species profile). Hawaii Invasive Species Council (Hawaii DLNR). undated page; checked November 3, 2026.
Quoted passages (1)
“Feral cats have established populations on all eight of the main Hawaiian Islands”
- U.S. Geological Survey. [2026]. Nonindigenous Aquatic Species Database. Gainesville, Florida. Accessed [11/3/2026].