Raccoons in Hawaii: where to look and what signs to watch for

No, raccoons are not native to Hawaii and there is no breeding population. They are considered an invasive species and are occasionally intercepted at ports or airports. Sightings are very rare and often turn out to be other animals like stray cats or mongooses.

In Hawaii, raccoons sightings usually improve when you slow down and match your first stop to where the animal is most likely in the state. Use the state wildlife hub and the route guide to narrow your first area, then check access, weather, and distance before you settle in. A short walk with one clear viewing plan often beats covering too much ground, especially when habitat changes fast from open edges to brush, wetlands, timber, shoreline, or neighborhood cover.

If a raccoon is present, it will most likely be near harbors, airports, or industrial areas with cargo shipments. On the Big Island, Hilo Harbor and Honolulu Harbor are the most probable spots. They rarely venture into forests or residential areas unless they have escaped from a ship.

Raccoons are nocturnal, so your best odds are at dusk or dawn. During the day they hide in drains, under buildings, or in dense vegetation near the coast. If you see one moving in broad daylight, it may be sick or desperate for food.

See our state animal guide for the next step.

Look for hand-like tracks with five toes, often found in mud or sand near water. Scat is dark and tubular, usually containing undigested seeds or fruit. Overturned trash cans or scattered garbage are classic clues. Listen for chittering sounds at night.

Raccoons in Hawaii behave like their mainland relatives: they are curious, clever, and drawn to easy food sources. They can climb trees and fences, and may den in attics or crawl spaces. Because they have no natural predators here, they can become bold.