Informing the Legislature that on June 26, 2026, the Governor signed the following bill into law: HB1334 HD3 SD2 CD2 (ACT 166).

This bill establishes a pilot program in Hawaii that allows hunters to donate axis deer meat to charitable, religious, or nonprofit organizations for feeding needy people. To participate, hunters must complete a specific training and certification program covering safe field dressing, disease identification, and proper meat handling. The program is limited to islands with populations between 150,000 and 200,000 and will pause if a disease outbreak occurs in the area. Additionally, the law clarifies that donated axis deer meat cannot be mixed with federally regulated meat or poultry products and restricts transportation to only the locations where the animal was killed, processed, or distributed.