I've had many suggestions to have the donkeys adopted, and that the resorts are eager to protected as a tourist attraction.
I explored both. I couldn't find anyone to adopt a donkey, except for human consumption. There may be a couple people out there who would adopt one, but there are at least 200 donkeys up for adoption.
**update August 2009 - now that we know most donkeys are currently fenced in, we are dealing some who could be claimed for adoption by worthy individuals with a way to get them, transport them, and care for them. **
Maintaining pasture land for a donkey is costly. A donkey will completely eat a small pasture and then need to be fed. Captive donkeys also need vet care. They need their hooves trimmed; roaming around on lava, nature provides that service. Individuals with those resources might more likely spend it to raise a calf or lamb. Or a pig or goat.
The resorts may realize these are not Kona Nightingales, hence they don't have a storied history. The only time, so far, a resort has participated in donkey relocation efforts was when the donkeys were feeding on golf courses and pooping in the yards of very expensive homes.
Frankly, I don't believe that the one time a resort arranged to have donkeys "moved" or "adopted", that that is what happened with most of them. There is supposed to be a donkey preserve somewhere, with a fence, pasture, water, feed, and a caretaker. This was supposed to be a way for tourists to see them. And that was for a very small number of donkeys. Do you know of such a place open to the public on Hawai'i? Me neither.
