Donkey Re-homing Begins

Now that WVA has decided it does not want help castrating male donkeys (before they are re-located) or in finding homes for them, we've been able to move forward quickly with plans to re-home about 40 donkeys from other property near Waikoloa. The long wait is over and we are thrilled to be moving ahead. Other people are eager for help with the donkeys on their land.

WVA has decided to step back from it's efforts to relocate donkeys and rely on public pressure to get someone else to do it. It relocated either 40 or 80 or some other number of donkeys without castrating the males, despite several offers of free service. This could lead to the spread of feral donkeys on the Island at some point in the future.

WVA, of which many of us are members, is worried about liability  issues. The concern: If WVA is doing something to help solve the donkey problem, will it be liable if someone is hurt by a donkey? Since WVA owns the donkeys on its property, it seems like NOT doing something would open WVA to even more liability, but I'm not the attorney!

The great team of veterinarians, Humane Society of the United States and all of us at Malama Waikoloa Nightingales are working on the short and long term plans to get a handle on the donkey population. Meanwhile, we are re-homing some donkeys to carefully vetted owners.

County to Test Strieter Lites Along Waikoloa Road

Public Works will go ahead with a test of Strieter lites along Waikoloa Road. See here and here.

SKTSC Requests Electronic Signage from HPD

At the last meeting of the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee (SKTSC), it was approved to request the Hawaii Police Department HPD to investigate use of occasional electronic signage along Waikoloa Road to remind us of possible donkey presence. (Recall the Public Works Department determined they didn't have enough signs.) SKTSC President Mike Price has sent the letter.

SKTSC is also asking for more detailed reporting of donkey-related traffic incidents, to develop a baseline over the long term to see if various measures are effective.

Star Advertiser Puts Waikoloa Donkeys in the News

Reasonably accurate, good photo by Brady Bergin, and the reporter contacted a lot of people, including two from Waikoloa. Read the article.

Update on Electronic Signage and Strieter Lites

Public Works, Traffic Division has passed on using electronic signage, as they don't have enough of them. They've referred the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee (SKTSC) to the Hawaii Police Department (HPD).

Public Works did look at the 20 Strieter Lites they ordered for testing. They don't look too promising, but we may find a place along the road to test them.

Tuesday, September 14th, SKTSC will be discussing a request to the HPD for signage.

On a new topic, SKTSC will also discuss a request for more detailed monthly reporting on donkey related accidents and calls for service (reports of donkeys on the road.) This will help develop a baseline for donkeys on the road.

Update 11/15/2010: They've been tested in the County yard and now places for installation have been marked out near the 7 MM.

Karen Clarkson on Waikoloa Donkeys

I've been meaning to give a shout out to Karen of Clark Realty for her excellent blog post about the presentation at the Hawaii Horse Expo. And the adorable photo is a plus.

Waikoloa Donkeys on Humane Society of U.S. Website

Inga Gibson of the United States Humane Society (USHS) has written an article and posted photos about Waikoloa Donkeys based on the USHS visit to Waikoloa for the Horse Expo and community meetings. Please check it out! We think the work of the USHS is going to lead to a significant improvement in conditions for the donkeys, their safety and human safety, in the long term.

The photo of two donkeys along the side of Waikoloa Road, outside of fences, taken last month by an MWN member.