Another opossum captured at Honolulu Harbor

Sep 22, 2026

Hawaii has caught another stray opossum at Honolulu Harbor, a worrying sign for a state that works hard to keep invasive animals out.

  • Matson workers found the animal in their freight facility, and state inspectors trapped it a day later using cat food and apples as bait.
  • This is the 11th opossum captured in Hawaii in two years, showing the animals keep slipping in through cargo shipments.
  • The opossum was euthanized and sent for rabies testing, since Hawaii is rabies-free and wants to keep it that way.
  • No other opossums were found nearby, so officials believe this one arrived alone.

Outlook: Expect the state to keep tightening inspections at ports as stowaway animals keep showing up in shipping freight.

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