Comments on: Jackson’s Chameleons: Killers of Hawaii Insects and Snails

By: corycampora

corycampora — Mon, 21 May 2012 09:17:29 +0000

Mostly it matters if they are eating native insects. If they stayed in the urban and developed areas and ate roaches and grasshoppers it wouldn’t be such a big deal, but on Oahu they are getting up in the mountains and are negatively impacting native forests.

By: Eddy Lederer

Eddy Lederer — Sun, 20 May 2012 00:19:02 +0000

What does it matter if they eat insects?

By: Carmen

Carmen — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 02:15:15 +0000

We just saw one big male nearby Miloli’i. It was crossing the road between macadamian plantations. It was beautiful!

By: Anon

Anon — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 05:28:53 +0000

Add Hilo side to the big island.

By: XJ

XJ — Tue, 02 Aug 2011 17:50:44 +0000

I ran across a Jackson on Lanihuli a couple weeks back. I’d heard they were around but this was my first encounter with one in the wild. Just wondering if there’s been any additional information about their impact on the environment.

By: Chuck Pikcunas

Chuck Pikcunas — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 16:51:37 +0000

The problem seems to be the DLNR permit. There is a provision to export up to four Jackson Chameleons for personal use, but apparently all permit applications are being denied. Plus, you must apply for the permit in person (I’m told) at their Punchbowl Office in Honolulu. Further, inter-island transport is prohibited since they must be handled as carry-on luggage and I don’t know if United has flights from Kona directly to the mainland without a Honolulu stop-over. And finally, there is the “exotic pet” issue in whatever State you are moving to. Many ban importation of chameleons.

I had the reverse problem when I moved here with a cat & dog, so I sympathize. But then you only had to deal with the HDOA not the DLNR too. And it still ended up costing almost $500 per animal to comply with all of their regulations.

Have you given any thought to how you will raise them on the mainland? I had iguanas which were difficult enough, but all of the manuals make cage maintenance of montane chameleons sound like a really tough task. They need cool, humid & damp conditions with live food and are picky eaters when they aren’t happy.

On the bright saide, I took in my first ten Jacksons yesterday from a family moving from Waimea back to Maui. They all looked healthy and disappeared into the garden almost immediately.

Good luck and keep me posted on your progress. I’ll share your experience with anyone else who is thinking of attempting to do this too.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 09:18:47 +0000

Thank you so much. A Chameleon Rescue Center is a wonderful idea. Of coarse I want to do what is best for my Chameleon’s and will certainly keep your information. It looks like United with fly them, but I still have research to do.
Mahalo~Gretchen

By: Chuck Pikcunas

Chuck Pikcunas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:48:57 +0000

My e-mail is: tsunamitropicalsltd@gmail.com. I hope to hear from you or anyone on the Big Island who need to re-home their chameleon pets.

By: Chuck Pikcunas

Chuck Pikcunas — Sun, 03 Jan 2010 06:43:26 +0000

Gretchen,

If you are still unable to find a way off the island (as I fear will be the case), I may be able to help.
I own a mixed mango & citrus orchard in Hawi along with a certified orchid nursery. I’m starting a naturalized orchid area and would also like to make it a Chameleon Rescue Center for people who move off island.

As I’ve been reading the DLNR Rules, it appears very difficult, if not impossible, to transport these beautiful and peaceful animals legally and I hope my rescue efforts will help people place their pets in a safe and supportive environment.

I come to Kona every week and my telephone number is in every e-mail I reply to. I hope you will consider this option.

Mahalo.

By: Gretchen

Gretchen — Tue, 29 Dec 2009 18:32:30 +0000

Thank you
I have researched more and found out that you can NOT fly Chameleons inter-island since they are only established on Oahu and the Big Island. You can fly them to the mainland on United. What I’m trying to find out now is if I can fly them directly out of Kona, not Honolulu.