Since state officials started allowing pig hunts in Tantalus, Manoa and upper Makiki, complaints from residents about finding feral pigs in their yards have declined.

What has risen in profile, however, are a few incidents of pets being killed or injured by hunting dogs.

On Saturday, the state Department of Land and Natural Resources and elected officials from the area will give an update on the pig-hunting program and offer alternatives now that the wild boar population seems better controlled.

"Since last summer to this summer, the complaints have just dropped dramatically," said Jason Misaki, a wildlife biologist for the DLNR. "We think that's an indicator that we're doing a good job at achieving our objective, which is keeping the animals out of our residents' property."

However, the state hasn't been able to control illegal hunting that has led to property damage, which Misaki said is unacceptable.

Since the program started last fall, the department has issued 60 permits, so it's difficult to tell which hunters may be operating illegally on any given day.

If the number is reduced, "it makes it easier for us to control and understand what's going on, and who's up there and who's not," Misaki said.

Longtime Manoa residents said it's only been in recent years that feral pigs have become a problem. Sarah Preble, who has lived on Woodlawn Drive for 30 years, said she has had to have hunters catch pigs on her property for five years.

The hunters have caught 36 pigs, a third of them within the past 15 weekends, she said.

The pigs have eaten her plants, uprooted banana trees, knocked over a retaining wall and left evidence that they've been on the deck of the house.

State Sen. Brian Taniguchi, who has represented Manoa for almost 28 years, said the problem started with a drought that sent the pigs farther down into the valley to hunt for food. "The pigs have been eating more food and spreading out more," he said.

State House Majority Leader Kirk Caldwell said the situation seems more under control. "Hunters are taking less pigs out. They're harder to find. We're getting less complaints," he said.

However, residents have complained instead about the killing of a pet potbellied pig and a goat, and an attack on a small dog.

The reason for the community meeting, Caldwell said, is to give residents an update and get feedback on whether they like how state officials have been handling the problem.

"We should see what people are thinking and doing, and if they want to go forward with a modified plan," Caldwell said. "It will be an interesting meeting. Everyone will get a chance to be heard."

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.