HONOLULU (KHON2) — Animal cruelty in Hawaiʻi, on Oʻahu in particular, has become a rallying point for many who want to protect the lives and well-being of the animals we share this island.
This National Dog Day, Ashley Howell-Wasson, Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States 2024, shared her passionate work to prevent animal cruelty in Hawaiʻi.
While many know her for her pageant titles, Howell-Wasson’s heart lies in her advocacy for animals, a mission she has championed with dedication and care.
Howell-Wasson, who entered the pageant world through a scholarship program in high school, didn’t initially see herself as a beauty queen.
“I got into pageants during my senior year of high school,” she explained. “I was Miss Exeter 2017, and it was such a great opportunity. It made me feel like a part of something more.”
This sense of belonging and the chance to connect with her community drove her to continue in the pageant world.
Despite her success, Howell-Wasson’s true passion has always been animal welfare. Her platform, which she advocates for tirelessly, is dedicated to the prevention of cruelty to animals.
“That is a big passion of mine,” she said. “Out here in Hawaiʻi, it is a big deal. Since we’re on such a small island, there isn’t a lot of places for those stray animals or really any animals that are unwanted for them to go.”
Hawaiʻi’s unique ecosystem faces challenges from stray animals, which can have devastating effects on native wildlife.
“A big portion of the reason why our native species are dwindling, like our native birds, is because stray animals like cats and dogs are killing them in order to survive,” Howell-Wasson explained.
She has been working closely with local shelters and organizations like the Oʻahu SPCA to address this issue.
One of her significant contributions has been in the realm of dog sports, where she has found a way to bring attention to shelter dogs in need of homes.
“I’ve been volunteering with [Oʻahu SPCA] for the last year and a half,” she said. “One of the biggest things I’m doing with my platform… is working with the dogs community specifically Fast CAT… and getting the shelters involved in that.”
Howell-Wasson’s efforts extend beyond just finding homes for these animals; she also focuses on education and responsible pet ownership.
“When I was working at the [Oʻahu SPCA], we would have owners come in with brand new puppies,” she shared. “We would give them a little pamphlet that said, like, how to raise the perfect puppy… socialization, potty training, and working through puppy behaviors. It really made a difference because people were interested; they want to be able to have that dog they can take everywhere.”
Her dedication stems from a lifelong love for animals, nurtured during her upbringing on a ranch in California.
“I grew up on a ranch in California where we had dogs, sheep, goats, chickens, cows—you name it, we probably had it,” Howell-Wasson recalled.
This early connection with animals led her to volunteer at local shelters and even assist as a veterinary assistant, where she witnessed firsthand the harsh realities many animals face.
“Seeing the animals in the shelter… made me realize that not everybody cares for their animals the way that I have or that I do,” she said.
One of her most emotional stories involves a rescue horse named Toby, who was abandoned and left to suffer before being saved.
“He had abscesses in his feet, so he was lame, he wasn’t walking correctly… They abandoned him on the side of a mountain. They left him there for months.”
Toby’s recovery and eventual rehabilitation under Howell-Wasson’s care became a powerful motivator in her advocacy.
Despite the emotional toll of her work, Howell-Wasson remains steadfast in her mission. She believes that education is key to preventing cruelty and improving the lives of animals in Hawaiʻi. However, she acknowledges the challenges, particularly in changing long-standing attitudes and practices.
“People aren’t necessarily willing to change,” she noted. “A lot of people don’t see their animals as family members. My dog’s my baby, but not everybody sees theirs that way.”
As Mrs. Hawaiʻi United States 2024, Howell-Wasson balances her public duties with her personal passion for animal rights, using her platform to speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves.
“I can only be an advocate and use my voice,” she said. “It’s up to the public and up to their own personal choices if they’re going to make that change.”
This National Dog Day, Howell-Wasson’s message is clear: our responsibility to animals goes beyond just caring for pets; it’s about creating a compassionate community where every animal is valued and protected.
“I want to make sure that all those other animals had the opportunity to be loved by somebody like me,” she said, a sentiment that underscores her ongoing efforts to make a difference in the lives of animals across Hawaiʻi.