‘Let him decide’

HANAPEPE — There have been many people who have tried to catch Buddy, Calvin Braun, said an employee at the Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Station Wednesday.

“There was a guy who came with a throw net,” Braun said. “But the dog is smart. He’s still here.”

The dog appeared about two months ago, Braun said. Since then, he’s partially adopted the Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Station.

“He found us,” Braun said. “We didn’t find him. He befriended Calvin Kajiwara first. He would follow him all around, even when he went down to the green waste area. We called him ‘Kaji’ because he was attached to Kajiwara. He would follow him all over, and even rubbed against his leg. But if you tried to pet him, or make a move to catch him, he gets skittish.”

Fashioning feed and water containers from discards, the Hanapepe Refuse Transfer Station makes sure Kaji, or Buddy, or whatever name you choose, gets fed.

“Breakfast, lunch and dinner,” Braun said. “We’re open seven days a week and Wendell Miguel makes sure the dog gets his food. The dog lives across the road in the vacant lot, and he comes around near pau hana to get his dinner.”

Kajiwara said when he first saw the dog, traffic was stopping on Lele Road trying to avoid hitting it.

“After that, he kind of just came here,” Braun said. “There have been lots of people who want to bring him home, but he won’t let them. One lady, Mary, has tried several times. She said she notices the change of attitude in the dog from when he’s with us, and even when he is out in the yard.”

Braun said the dog does not pose any kind of danger to anyone, not even barking at the stream of traffic.

One of the worst things people can do is force-catch him, Braun said.

“If they force-catch him, take him home, he’ll just run away,” Braun said. “And he’ll end up in a worse place. People should just let him decide. If they can pet him, that means he’s ready. Just let him decide.”