Maui Nui Venison Transforms Invasive Axis Deer into Food Source Amidst Hawaii's Environmental Crisis
Maui Nui Venison, a company in Hawaii, is actively addressing the environmental crisis caused by the overpopulation of invasive axis deer by harvesting them for food. The axis deer, originally introduced to Hawaii in 1868 and later brought to Maui in the 1950s for recreational hunting, have no natural predators in the islands and breed year-round, leading to an estimated 60,000 deer across Lanai, Maui, and Molokai. These deer consume native grasses and endangered plants, destroy farmers' crops, and exacerbate drought conditions, prompting Hawaii's Governor Josh Green to declare a state of emergency multiple times. Maui Nui Venison uses night-vision technology, infrared drones, and utility terrain vehicles to cull 40-55 deer nightly from privately owned ranches, under the supervision of USDA inspectors. The venison is processed into steaks, ground meat, bone broth, jerky, and health supplements, and is also distributed free to the community through the Holo ‘Ai program. 
