The test site was to be a brushy area between Mauna Kea, Mauna Loa, and Hualalai. The deer herd was to be carefully monitored and the project terminated if any serious damage was reported. Opposition from conservationists and ranchers was overwhelming. As a consequence, the State Legislature formed the Animal Species Advisory Commission to review inter-island transportation of animals on a case by case basis. This commission is not very effective because the Department of Land and Natural Resources need only consult the Commission on a voluntary basis if a need is perceived.
Largest populations occur in semi-open habitats or where openings occur in forests.
Steep sided mountains and dense rain forests act as barriers for range expansion. The preferred area of the deer is the forest margin. They are nervous, cautious animals, so they feel more secure with some cover from the trees, but not so much where they feel enclosed. Prior to 1970, a subpopulation became adapted to the rain forest above Halawa Valley, Molokai. This is very atypical habitat.