Kangaroos, the large macropods, are not native to the Hawaiian Islands. Hawaii is geographically isolated and has no endemic marsupial species, meaning these animals did not evolve there naturally. The state maintains strict animal importation laws because the ecosystem is highly vulnerable to non-native species. However, the confusion about kangaroos often stems from the existence of a much smaller marsupial that has established a wild population on one island.
The Status of Wild Kangaroos
Kangaroos, part of the Macropodidae family, are naturally restricted to Australia, New Guinea, and surrounding islands. The Hawaiian archipelago is separated from these native ranges by thousands of miles of ocean, making it impossible for large macropods to reach the islands naturally. This biogeography explains why the Hawaiian Islands developed a unique fauna dominated by birds and invertebrates, with no native land mammals other than the Hawaiian monk seal and the Hawaiian hoary bat.
The state’s strict regulations on non-domestic animals prevent the establishment of large, feral kangaroo populations. Even if a small group were illegally introduced, the sheer size and distinct needs of larger species, such as the Red Kangaroo (Osphranter rufus) or the Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), would make it difficult for them to survive undetected and establish a breeding colony. The idea of wild, free-ranging kangaroos hopping through the volcanic terrain remains a misconception.
The Marsupial That Does Live in Hawaii
While kangaroos are absent, a smaller relative, the brush-tailed rock-wallaby (Petrogale penicillata), has a restricted, feral population on Oʻahu. This population traces its origins to 1916 when a pair of wallabies escaped from a private collection in the Honolulu area. Wallabies are distinct from kangaroos, typically standing only knee-high and weighing between 8 and 15 pounds.
The descendants of these two escapees have survived for over a century by inhabiting a specific ecological niche. They are primarily found in the steep, rocky cliffs and crevices of the Koʻolau Mountain Range, concentrated in areas like Kalihi Valley. This rugged habitat closely mirrors the rock escarpments they occupy in their native Australia, providing shelter and protection from predators.
Monitoring the current population size is difficult due to the animals’ elusive nature and the challenging terrain they occupy; estimates have ranged from 40 to a few hundred individuals. The wallabies primarily forage on non-native plants, such as Vlei berry and Christmas berry, leading the state to classify them as a non-invasive, protected game mammal. Sightings are rare, and the animals remain confined to their isolated colonies, with occasional individuals wandering into neighboring valleys like Nuʻuanu.
Where Kangaroos Can Be Found in Hawaii
The only way to observe a kangaroo in Hawaii is within a controlled, captive environment, such as an accredited zoological park or educational facility. The Honolulu Zoo, Oʻahu’s main public zoological institution, has historically housed various Australian marsupials, and similar facilities may also exhibit smaller wallaby species. These institutions operate under stringent government oversight to ensure the animals are safely contained.
The importation and possession of any non-domestic animal, including macropods, is managed by the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture (HDOA). To bring a kangaroo into the state, the facility must secure a permit and obtain site approval, demonstrating the enclosure meets rigorous containment standards. The state requires the importer to post a substantial bond, often set at $3,000 per animal, which is forfeited if the animal escapes confinement. These biosecurity measures prevent large, non-native species from escaping and disrupting the fragile island ecosystem.