Who to call by state
Hawaii
In Hawaiʻi, who handles a dead animal depends a lot on where it is and what species it is. State highways are handled through the Hawaiʻi Department of Transportation Highways Division, while county roads are generally handled by county public works/road systems; native birds and seabirds are routed through DLNR/DOFAW, and bird-disease concerns go to the Hawaiʻi Department of Agriculture and Biosecurity. ([hidot.hawaii.gov](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/about/contact-us-highways-division-directory/?utm_source=openai))
Checked against official sources on October 4, 2026. Rules and links change; confirm with the office listed before you act.
- Report on a state road
- Official page →
- Report dead birds or sick wildlife
- Official page →
Official resources in Hawaii
Use this official HDOT page to report a highway problem on a state road and find district contacts for Oʻahu, Kauaʻi, Maui, and Hawaiʻi Island. ([hidot.hawaii.gov](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/about/contact-us-highways-division-directory/?utm_source=openai))
Use this to identify the correct Highways district office for the island where the animal is on a state highway. ([hidot.hawaii.gov](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/doing-business/guide-to-permits/district-offices/?utm_source=openai))
This page gives island-specific contacts and reporting steps for downed seabirds and other native birds in Hawaiʻi. ([dlnr.hawaii.gov](https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/Wildlife/seabird-fallout-season/))
Use this official page for what to do with sick or dead birds, especially if there are multiple deaths or possible bird-flu concerns. ([biosecurity.hawaii.gov](https://biosecurity.hawaii.gov/avian-flu/))
Use this DLNR page to reach Forestry and Wildlife offices when the animal is native wildlife or you need species-specific guidance. ([dlnr.hawaii.gov](https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/DOFAW/CONTACT/?utm_source=openai))
Key facts for Hawaii
- HDOT’s Highways directory says to “Report a Highway Problem” through district contacts; Hawaiʻi Island’s district phone is 808-933-8866, and a statewide after-hours number is 808-485-6200. ([hidot.hawaii.gov](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/about/contact-us-highways-division-directory/?utm_source=openai))
- The Biosecurity avian-flu page says backyard poultry owners should not report single bird deaths to Animal Industry; sudden deaths of multiple birds should be reported instead. ([biosecurity.hawaii.gov](https://biosecurity.hawaii.gov/avian-flu/))
- For seabirds or native bird species, the Biosecurity page directs people to DLNR, listing 808-587-0166 and the wildlife email address. ([biosecurity.hawaii.gov](https://biosecurity.hawaii.gov/avian-flu/))
- DLNR’s seabird page says Hawaiʻi had its first confirmed H5N1 detection in a backyard flock on November 15, 2024. ([dlnr.hawaii.gov](https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/Wildlife/seabird-fallout-season/))
- Kauaʻi County’s Roads Division reporting tool includes “Dead Animal in Roadway” as a reportable county road issue. ([kauai.gov](https://www.kauai.gov/Government/Departments-Agencies/Public-Works/Roads-Division?utm_source=openai))
- A DLNR Maui branch news release says carcasses on private land are the landowner’s responsibility; on state highways, HDOT handles removal; on county road easements, Maui County Public Works does. ([dlnr.hawaii.gov](https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/blog/2020/12/30/nr20-210/?utm_source=openai))
What to do next
- First figure out whether the animal is on a state highway or a county road; if it is on a state route, use the HDOT Highways contacts, not county animal control. ([hidot.hawaii.gov](https://hidot.hawaii.gov/highways/home/about/contact-us-highways-division-directory/?utm_source=openai))
- If the animal is a native bird or seabird, avoid handling it unless necessary, use gloves if you must move it, and follow the DLNR island-specific contact list. ([dlnr.hawaii.gov](https://dlnr.hawaii.gov/Wildlife/seabird-fallout-season/))
- If you see multiple dead birds or unusual illness in birds, treat it as a possible disease event and report it through the Animal Industry Division contacts on the avian-flu page. ([biosecurity.hawaii.gov](https://biosecurity.hawaii.gov/avian-flu/))
Helpful guides
- Who removes dead animals on roads?
- Dead animal on private property: whose job is it?
- Dead deer removal: roads, yards and salvage permits
- Dead animal under a house or in a wall: finding it and the smell