I saw an online ad for a rummage sale benefiting this place and it excited us all to go. It was a very mixed visit to say the least. The Hawaii Animal Sanctuary isn't what you'd think; it's mostly a safe zone for feral cats. The smell is immediately noticeable when you get out of the car: feline feces. The hot day we were there just made it worse the longer we stayed. The coolest part of this place is that the property owns a number of World War II era tunnels. They were used for munition and food storage before being decommissioned. Now the sanctuary uses them for large rummage sales to raise money for the property. The tunnels smell old; they're humid and a bit uncomfortable for people bothered by that type of climate. They offer $5 historic tours with a guide at noted times, so be sure to be there early if you're interested. Now for the unpleasant things. We brought our dog along and I felt unwelcome. I was so confused due to the name. Asking about the makeup of the animals they care for (as stated above) it's only cats. After we did our shopping, the dog and I waited outside. It was unbearably hot in the sun. We waited under the tarp area and were quickly met with fire ants biting our feet. Going under the trees, the smell was even worse, and immediately our feet were covered with flies. They were unrelenting. It was then we headed back in to the tunnel - I'd much rather deal with humidity than filth. In come the volunteers. I was reprimanded and rudely talked to on more than one occasion while I was minding my own business. No details are necessary, only they were "yelling" at the wrong person. It really turned me off to wanting to come back or bring others here. I'm unsure about their mission even less so when rudeness is all I experienced; outside of the stench that is. read more

My wife and I decided to tour the bunker tunnels at the Hawaii Animal Sanctuary in Aikahi on a Saturday in July at 11:00. First, the parking is very limited and you might have park a block away or so in the residential neighborhood. If you park outside, be aware that there is a very long and very steep driveway that you would have to walk up to get to the bunkers. Be prepared for a long hot tour if you go during the summer like we did. Bring water to hydrate and make sure you use the restroom just before you arrive because there is no public restroom. The fee for the tour is only $5 and $3 for children. Unfortunately our 11:00 tour was very large with about 70 people attending. So, as we enter the bunker we crowd together so we can listen to the tour guide but the air gets warmer because of everyone's body heat so you start perspiring from the start. The tunnels add to the acoustics so that with a large crowd you can hear everyone talking which makes it hard to hear the narration. People started shushing others but that only made them talk softer which really didn't help because their voices still can be heard in the tunnels. They say that the 1:00 tour is the least crowded so that might be the best option if you want to go. After the first half hour we gave up. We were dripping with sweat and frustrated because we couldn't hear the narration so we cut our losses and left. What history we did manage to hear was very interesting so I may return when the weather cools. There is also a thrift shop in the bunker where everything they sell is really cheap. My wife managed to find a few items and it only cost her $5. All proceeds go the the animal shelter so your money goes to a good cause. read more

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Love their sales. Amazing items from plants to household, decor, clothes. Prices are low ,too. Not sure if there is a sale today??? read more

Hawaii Animal Sanctuary is one of the few no-kill animal shelters on Oahu. I happen to attend the Hawaii Animal Sanctuary's rummage sale at "the Tunnels", it was their Labor Day rummage sale. I didn't know there were Tunnels in Aikahi area. To get to the place from H3, turn left onto Kaneohe Bay Drive. At the stoplight, turn right onto Ilihau Street then turn right onto Iliaina Street. The drive to the end of Iliaina and turn left up the hills driveway. Youll be on the hillside of Aikahi where youll be able to see from Kaneohe to Lanikai. The driveway is narrow and there isnt room enough for two large cars to pass. As I drive a truck, its best to make sure no one is coming down the driveway when youre going up. The Tunnels is known as Battery 405, underground tunnels located above Aikahi/Kailua/Kaneohe, that housed large guns during WWII. The view is spectacular from the tunnels. You might want to spend some time to see the Kaneohe Bay, Marine Base, Kailua, Lanikai and lets not forget infamous wastewater treatment plants. I would highly recommend the tours, its fascinating to see what the military did and learn how these tunnels were built. They also have old photos of what was stored in these tunnels. The rummage sale is in the tunnels and they do offer tours ( about 45 minutes long) of the tunnels during this time. The rummage sales are to help feed and care for the animals and they have these sales every 3-4 months. read more

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Hawaii Animal Sanctuary is one of the few no-kill shelters on Oahu. I was lucky enough to go Hawaii Animal Sanctuary's garage sale at "the Tunnels" a few months ago. I actually didn't know the sale was at the Tunnels and just kept driving down Iliaina Street..it looked like Google map was sending me to the wrong place, but I just kept driving till I ended up at The Tunnels above Aikahi. If it looks like you're headed towards a dead end just keep driving up that steep hill. You won't need 4-wheel drive, but you'll wish you did if it's raining. The driveway itself is narrow and I'm glad I didn't need to find out if there was room enough for two cars to pass. The Tunnels is also known as Battery 405, underground tunnels located above Aikahi/Kailua/Kaneohe, that housed large guns during WWII: http://www.pbase.com/afrogie/hawaii_battery405 The view from the top is spectacular. You can see the Marine Base and Kailua from the parking lot, not to mention the infamous wastewater treatment plants: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hawaii-animal-sanctuary-kailua?select=P3N2W1ydXfHwGYC11Io5Lg#q0Ip4oP045OmKrfdbWCEhA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hawaii-animal-sanctuary-kailua?select=P3N2W1ydXfHwGYC11Io5Lg#doNKBueUAaNUpeT3XxWTog The parking lot is small, and of course there are a lot of cats roaming around. The garage/rummage sale is held inside of the tunnels: http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hawaii-animal-sanctuary-kailua?select=P3N2W1ydXfHwGYC11Io5Lg#FLPEI2wTRARQqGKWpL9Tcg http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hawaii-animal-sanctuary-kailua?select=P3N2W1ydXfHwGYC11Io5Lg#ZYeQW8wf6P6wc-Sph_CbEA http://www.yelp.com/biz_photos/hawaii-animal-sanctuary-kailua?select=P3N2W1ydXfHwGYC11Io5Lg#3SVItBc8xg0_wKkiTv0Jxg There's lighting where they hold the sale, but it can be dim so a flashlight app on your phone will come in handy. During the sales they also give tours through the tunnels that take around 1/2 hour, and they do ask for a small donation. There's no cell phone coverage in the tunnels and if you're claustrophobic skip this! The Tunnels aren't open to the public regularly so it makes for a unique experience, plus it's for a good cause. read more

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I've never gone, but the reviews are horrible. The site is completely off-putting and depressing. I do know and understand that people are mostly interested in healthy pets. But there is there is no way of perusing pets for adoption and their health or situation. It's sort of, well, we know you don't want to adopt, so we won't make our site inviting or try to interest you in any way possible. It's a shame, because I think people might come and adopt if they felt welcome. I'm happy to know that people work hard to help kitty cats and that they are cared for and not put down. I do, however, think that there must be a way to improve adoption chances for the kitties. read more

I went last year and had a great time. 9th Annual Big Hairy Monster Ball Oct 26th Saturday from 7pm to 12 am A Benefit for the Hawaii Animal Sanctuary ! Killer Band - Liquid Amber playing Rock / Funk / Dance Music Horror'dourves and non-alcoholic drinks ( BYOB ) Prizes for Best Costumes Special guest appearances by stilt walker Joe Peach and Fire Dancers ! Singles only dance and Hot Couples Dance Psychotic Psychics and Murderous Massage At Tunnels in Kailua A 12,000 sq. foot former military bunker ! Scary and Spacious ! Tickets are $30 pre-pay and $35 at the door To pre-buy tickets go to www.HawaiiAnimalSanctuary.com - look under events Address is 221 Iliana St. Kailua, HI To see pics from a previous years one check out : http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.200834084256.156709.685239256&type=3 Thanks for all that you do for the animals! The Hawaii Animal Sanctuary is a 501(c)(3) Hawaii Non-Profit Corporation Mail your tax-deductible (as allowed by law) check to: Hawaii Animal Sanctuary PO Box 1802, Kailua, HI 96734. If you can't join us, we will gladly accept any donation. Donate Securely Online at www.hawaiianimalsanctuary.org read more

Does this place still exist? They DO NOT reply to emails, even when large donations are offered. How unfortunate.

A little over 10 years ago one of the young cats in our feral colony had a bad fall and broke one of her hind legs. We took her to the vet and were told that her leg would heal without the recommended $2000 surgery they suggested. But she would have a limp. We did not want to take her back to the colony for fear she would be preyed upon by other stronger cats. I called a number of other shelters to see if they would take her. No one else even replied or answered the phone. This shelter answered and agreed to take our cat. This was when the sanctuary was at its previous location. Now they are at the Tunnels in Kailua. I am constantly amazed by how well the animals are. The sanctuary is run by one dedicated person who has been doing this over 25 years, almost singlehandedly (with volunteers). The sanctuary keeps going only through fundraising done with garage sales and other small parties or such. There is a cattery (contained) where the cats with FIV and other transmittable diseases are kept. Cats are monitored for diseases, parasites and general health. All the food and medication is paid for by the garage sales and contributions. I do get to see our kitty from time to time and she is doing well. This sanctuary takes in many cats who have been abused and are not the best looking. So many of them are not adoptable or would not be adopted by most people looking for a new cat. Some people have posted reviews because the sanctuary would not take their animal. The sanctuary is full. They cannot in good conscience take any more animals. It would not be fair to the animals if they could not be taken care of due to the fact that there are too many of them, not enough food, not enough people to care for them. I am in awe of the person in charge her for her tireless dedication the her charges and her tireless efforts in keeping them well and fed. read more

All I know is that they don't answer phone calls or e-mails and have denied help every time I have asked them ... for YEARS! Don't know how they can be called a sanctuary -- If you finally, by some miracle, reach someone, they always tell you they are full! So they have been full for two solid years? No one adopts? They don't get enough donations to take one or two new animals a year! What gives? In any case, I give up! read more