Snake Found Near Honolulu Airport

A snake was found near Honolulu Airport was killed by maintenance workers and then identified as a juvenile male bullsnake. Bullsnakes have been found and confiscated in Hawaii before, but authorities say they don’t know how the latest one arrived in Hawaii.

I am guessing since it was found near Honolulu International Airport someone probably tried to sneak it in and then lost it sometime during transfer.

The bullsnake, known as Pituophis catenifer sayi, is a non-venomous snake that can grow to about 6 feet. This according to Department of Agriculture spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi.

Snakes are illegal in the islands because they are a threat to local native species. Bullsnakes, a subspecies of the gopher snake, are usually found in North America and eat small rodents, young rabbits, lizards, birds and bird eggs.

The snake was found about 8:45 a.m. Wednesday by an Island Landscaping road crew cutting grass along Nimitz Highway near Valkenburgh Street. The workers killed the snake with a weed whacker. State officials recovered the snake’s remains.

Punishment for Having a Snake in Hawaii

Hawaii law does not tolerate snakes in the islands, nor do they take kindly to people who have them here illegally. The punishment for possessing or transporting a snake is a fine of up to $200,000, imprisonment of up to three years, and payment for the costs related to the capture and eradication of the pest.

If you have any info on this matter please contact the Department of Agriculture or HPD.