Live opossum captured at Honolulu Harbor

Sep 22, 2026

A live opossum was trapped at Honolulu Harbor, the second one caught in Hawaii in two months — bad news for the state's efforts to keep invasive animals out.

  • State biosecurity inspectors spotted the opossum Saturday afternoon near the Matson shipping facility at Honolulu Harbor.
  • They set traps baited with cat food and apples and caught it the next day.
  • The animal was humanely euthanized so it could be tested for rabies, which Hawaii does not have.
  • Last month another opossum was caught at a freight warehouse near Hilo, pointing to shipping cargo as the likely way in.

Outlook: Expect tighter inspections of incoming cargo at Hawaii's ports as officials try to stop more stowaway animals.

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