Wild "big cat" spotted by local Hawaiians makes mysterious headlines across islands, but Manao residents suspect it's something else entirely

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
May 29, 2025 9:00 AM EDT

We didn't know this before about Hawaii, but apparently, there are no native "big cat" species on any of the islands. But it kind of makes sense, how would they have gotten all the way to those islands in the middle of the ocean? Well, that just makes this story marvelously mysterious, then, as Manao residents spotted what they thought was a wild "big cat" out in nature a few days ago! In fact, this pawticular story is so out there that it's been making headlines all across Hawaii!

Maybe it's somebody's illegally imported cheetah, maybe it's a relative of Bigfoot, or maybe, just maybe, it's a dog. The internet and local residents seem to think that this headline is blown out of proportion, and that clearly looks like a puptastic doggo, but we'll leave that up to you to decide. Either way, we would still go to Hawaii to check it out if someone asked. We may or may not already be on our way. Toodles! 

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  • 01
    I live in Hawaii and this story is circulating the news right now. Apparently a big cat was spotted in Manoa. If you know anything about Hawaii, we definitely aren't supposed to have big wild cats on the prowl.
    via u/SufficientFlower4173
  • 02
    Cheezburger Image 10510308608
    via u/SufficientFlower4173
  • 03
    There are a lot of homeless camps in that area plus it's right behind a populated school area. I'm pretty sure it's a dog just wanted to know what you guys think!
    via u/SufficientFlower4173
  • 04
    LowBornArcher • 5h ago lol, that's clearly a dog
    via u/LowBornArcher

  • We don't know if it's clearly a dog, but it does look slightly dog-like. However, we're not the best person to trust with this task. We have terrible vision. Like, can't-see-at-all-without-our-glasses bad. Velma from Scooby Doo bad.

  • 05
    SpringBacon • 4h ago Doggo being like "Where's this cat everyone's talking about?"
    via u/SpringBacon
  • 06
    aretheranyrunes That's a dog
    via u/aretheranyrunes
  • 07
    Alarmed_Extent_9157 4h ago Think that's a dog. Hard pressed to think of a "large cat" with a white chest blaze.
    via u/Alarmed_Extent_9157
  • 08
    POSSIBLE 'BIG CAT' SIGHTING UH MANOA
    via ISLANDNEWS
  • 09
    CallMeSisyphus • 4h ago . That dog: "I'm looking for a big cat. Did you see a big cat? Somebody said there's a big cat out here!"
    via u/CallMeSisyphus
  • 10
    captainmidday · 4h ago It's either a dog or Chester Cheetah
    via u/captainmidday

  • It could be somebody's illegally imported pet, you can never count out that pawssibility. If people can raise lions in New York City apartments, a cheetah can escape in Hawaii. Anything is pawssible.

  • 11
    Metrophidon9292 ·4h ago Did it befriend a little girl, terrorize the local town, and then go surfing with the girl and her sister? If so, I don't think that's a dog.
    via u/Metrophidon9292
  • 12
    SufficientFlower4... OP • 3h ago . lol yes I agree it's a dog. I work with our state ag department and all of my coworkers agree that it's a dog unfortunately small island can equal exaggerated news stories sometimes
    via u/SufficientFlower4173
  • 13
    New_Novel5143 • 4h ago That will be the first big cat to ever bark
    via u/New_Novel5143
  • 14
    IntrepidBelt7737 · 4h ago It looks like a dog, however it also looks a lot like a Tasmanian tiger. (I even think I see some stripes when I zoomed in.)
    via u/IntrepidBelt7737
  • 15
    Though I heavily doubt it IS a Tasmanian tiger. (I want to believe it is though.)
    via u/IntrepidBelt7737
  • 16
    Picture for reference:
    via u/IntrepidBelt7737
  • 17
    Jumpy-Inevitable-557 2h ago • Artist: Yes, of course I've seen a cat.
    via u/Jumpy-Inevitable-557
  • 18
    Turbulent_Lawyer4055 4h ago It looks like a cheetah to me. Maybe someone acquired and lost an illegal pet?
    via u/Turbulent_Lawyer4055

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dogs suspect wild animals island headline Hawaii big cats animals wild
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