Activists angered over West Oahu chicken fights, residents defend practice

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – An animal rights advocate recorded video showing vehicles lining Hakimo Road in Nānākuli on Saturday afternoon for what he said was a cockfighting event.

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The man, who did not want to be identified out of fear of retaliation, said he has been tracking the gatherings. He said there are chicken fights on Hakimo Road every weekend, but the latest one was larger than usual, estimating about 500 attendees.

“Unfortunately, the guys running these cockfighting rings are smart enough to evade any ability to gather evidence on them. Every time you hear them cheering, you know, an animal just died for their enjoyment,” the man said.

The activist has also pushed to raise cockfighting from a misdemeanor to a class C felony. A bill to elevate the punishment in 2024 died at the state Legislature.

“Oftentimes when we’re submitting this testimony, we’re up against folks that, you know, believe strongly that animals are just property and that’s all that they are, or that they are, you know, they’re using perhaps their culture,” Hawaiian Humane Society spokesperson Brandy Shimabukuro said.

The anonymous activist added, “Animal cruelty is not cultural anywhere. And I think Hawaii can do better.”

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Hakimo Road resident Sabrina Grace-Dereis argued cockfighting is part of her heritage and said it is innate for the roosters put into the ring.

“It’s a part of my culture, I am more than 25% Filipino. It’s in the rooster’s blood to fight. I don’t know what’s the big deal here with animal cruelty,” Grace-Dereis added.

Grace-Dereis said she believes there are more pressing issues affecting the Nānākuli community, including homelessness and street drugs.

“They should concentrate not on the roosters, human beings are more, more precious than roosters,” Grace-Dereis said.

HNN reached out to the Honolulu Police Department for more information and is waiting to hear back.

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