More than 1,100 pet lovers and their furry companions filled Kapiolani Park on Saturday for the Hawaiian Humane Society's 36th annual PetWalk, a 1.8-mile stroll that included a costume contest and served as a fundraiser for a shelter system that has been bursting at the seams for years. Dogs trotted alongside their owners in everything from superhero capes to pumpkin suits, and the morning wrapped with a costume contest that drew plenty of onlookers along the route.
The walk returned to Kapiolani Park for its 36th year, according to Hawaii News Now, drawing a crowd that turned out early for the 1.8-mile route through the park. Funds raised from the event go directly to sheltering, healing, reuniting and re-homing animals served by the Hawaiian Humane Society, the station reported. Spokesperson Anna Neubauer said the money supports daily animal care, education programs, spay-neuter programs and other services the organization runs year-round.
Two Very Different Numbers on How Many Animals Need Help
Just how many animals those dollars reach depends on which account you read. Hawaii News Now reported that about 1,300 animals come through the Hawaiian Humane Society each year, while KHON2 reported the PetWalk raises money to help shelter and find homes for roughly 13,000 animals annually. The figures describe different metrics.
What is clear is that the organization's two campuses are stretched thin. According to KHON2's separate reporting on the shelter's overcrowding, both Hawaiian Humane Society campuses are operating at between 137% and 176% of kennel capacity, forcing staff to rely on pop-up crates and shared kennels to house animals. The nonprofit's own website states it has been over capacity since October 2022 and is currently caring for nearly 1,300 animals across its campuses and foster homes. The shelter told KHON2 it was running about 1,100 animals for most of the summer — a number it considered manageable — before roughly 200 more animals arrived and pushed things past the breaking point.
Adoptions and Medical Care Funded by Saturday's Turnout
Pet Hospitals of Hawaii helped waive adoption fees for featured adoptable dogs at the PetWalk, with fee waivers also extended at the Moiliili campus and the Kosasa Family Campus at Hoopili that weekend, per Hawaii News Now's reporting. The Hawaiian Humane Society said every dollar raised at the 2026 PetWalk, billed as A Josie's Ohana Event, goes directly toward medical exams, vaccinations, microchipping, spay and neutering, and daily care for animals in its custody.
Animal CrimeStoppers Marks 25 Years Fighting Cruelty
Saturday's event also celebrated a milestone for Animal CrimeStoppers, the tip line that has been jointly run by CrimeStoppers Honolulu and the Hawaiian Humane Society for 25 years. The program has logged more than 147 animal cruelty tips across Oahu, according to Hawaii News Now's reporting. Jason White said the program gives people a way to report animal crimes anonymously, and First Hawaiian Bank joined CrimeStoppers Honolulu and the Hawaiian Humane Society in raising awareness about the tip line at the event.
Gina Anonuevo said animals are part of the community and need support. Walkers and their pets wound through the park. Anyone who suspects or witnesses animal cruelty or neglect on Oahu can contact Animal CrimeStoppers at 808-955-8300 to report it anonymously.
