The Study Team conducted several interviews with HIHS personnel. During the course of these discussions, employees identified areas of strength and weakness within their organization. All of the following comments were made by personnel. These remarks should not be perceived as "employee grumbling," but rather as meaningful, constructive criticism which may pinpoint problems and develop solutions. There were several multiple comments on the same issues.

HIHS needs more money for training.

The agency needs competitive wages.

Field workers need new trucks.

HIHS and the County should increase spay/neuter funding.

The agency should hire more Humane Officers.

HIHS needs software.

The agency needs 2 additional ACOs (1 on each side of the island).

Need a data-entry worker.

HIHS needs a full-time veterinarian.

Workers need additional training (not just local; need to see how mainland ACOs operate).

Everything is reactive; HIHS needs to become more proactive.

HIHS needs clerical staff to work in the front office to free-up officers for field work.

Citizens are uninformed about ordinances and the authority of HIHS.

Should establish a definite separation between Animal Control and Humane Society duties.

Citizens complain about the lack of enforcement, but education is good for violators.

We need increased support for training.

County needs a leash law; animals should be under control, even if they are in their own yard.

HIHS should network more with the community regarding our mission.

The Keaau facility requires additional dog and cat holding areas.

A computer database should link all 3 shelters together; need laptops in trucks too.

Need a more dependable communication system in the field.

Purchase chemical immobilization equipment and train the workers to use it.

Should purchase new trucks with commercial animal holding beds.

Officers need professional looking uniforms.

Humane Officers should be provided bite sticks and pepper spray.

The Keaau shelter should have 2 field shifts (8 am - 4 pm and 2 pm - 10 pm).

All employees deserve a raise/incentives/bonus.

Field officers require increased training regarding large animal restraint and capture.

Animal Control should be moved to the Police Department.

The agency requires additional employees to clean and feed.

HIHS resources are limited (money and staff).

Keaau facility needs a puppy kennel and a separate isolation kennel.

Employees need a raise!

HIHS needs to improve communication among employees.

Need more kennel space.

Should buy better/newer trucks.

Staff requires additional office space.

Trucks need new stretchers.

Waimea shelter should be located in town.

HIHS staff needs a pay raise.

All 3 shelters require upgrading.

Staff members should be offered more training.

Field workers should be provided with bullet-proof vests and bite sticks.

Waimea shelter needs a part-time office worker so that the shelter remains open longer.

Need new trucks.

Staff should be told how the money is spent (Animal Control versus Humane Society).

Animal Control enforcement geared towards frills (nice, friendly HIHS image).

Lack of equipment, resources, authority.

HIHS beliefs conflict with laws.

Need better pay.

The lack of a tranquilizing system looks bad for HIHS.

Agency needs to physically separate Animal Control and Humane Society.

Facilities operate at full capacity - no cat separation.

HIHS makes do with what they have.

Hands are tied due to laws, HIHS policy and public opinion.

Not enough field personnel.

Need better/competitive wages.

Agency should purchase new capture equipment, trucks and safety equipment.

Kona facility needs to be rebuilt. Need a separate adoption facility off-site.

Veterinarian should be full-time.

More personnel, more kennels.

Need a new facility, more volunteers, and a volunteer coordinator.

Entire Kona facility requires improvement (build new kennels and cattery).

Increased public education.

More training (self-defense) and new vehicles.

Understaffed, ill-equipped, lack of training.

Current County code is very weak.

Officers drive-by a lot of situations that cannot be enforced.

County should increase impound fees to equal to fine schedule.

Kona shelter needs office staff for customer service area.

Field staff should be in the field.

County should raise fines, offer court-ordered community service.

Animal Control laws need more "teeth."

Need pepper spray and pepper spray training.

Wish they could use a tranquilizing system in the field.

Should move Animal Control to the Police Department - would increase officer safety.

Need more training.

Officer safety should be improved (sidearms, mace, bite sticks).

The amount of paperwork should be reduced.

Call response time needs to be improved.

Need more staff, equipment and time.

HIHS should purchase a data management system.

Build some decent kennels!

Purchase some updated equipment (trucks, animal handling equipment, etc.).

Increased training - more opportunities on the mainland.

Wages could be improved.

Should hire 2 more Humane Officers, full-time vet and data manager.

County has become more involved - just starting to get better.

Have a good relationship with police in Waimea.

Care of the animals.

Workers have good people skills.

HIHS is very resourceful - with what we’ve got!

Strong and creative staff.

Community really does support HIHS (despite the negative comments of a few).

Education by officers is a strength.

Field officers are good mediators.

Keaau shelter has good employees.

Based on our limited resources, animals receive good care.

HIHS managers are supportive of employees.

We educate the public.

Waimea operation has a strong presence in the community.

Ability to educate owners.

The reason I’m still an HIHS employee? I love animals!

Good teamwork between Police Department and HIHS.

Handle cruelty and neglect complaints effectively.

The spay/neuter program.

Educating the public.

Driving force to get animals adopted.

Keep things clean.

Try to help public.

Teamwork.

Waimea operation receives good support from the community (in most areas).

8.01 HIHS should develop a system for routinely collecting relevant information on employee grievances and disciplinary actions. Rating: 3

8.02 The agency should institute (within its own organization) an annual awards program to recognize outstanding performance and contributions. Rating: 3

8.03 HIHS should introduce an employee idea program (with possible financial incentives) to encourage new and innovative concepts in improving service delivery. Rating: 3