Mālama Waikoloa Nightingales

Nightingales: For Some The Sun Shines in a New Place!

2011-10-21T01:03:00.003-10:00

Do read the new, additional article and see HSUS video here: http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2011/09/donkey_flight_091611.html

If that's too much reading, just watch the under-two-minute video here:

I am indebted to Waikoloa's Michale O'Brien and Randy Horne of Waimea for all the excellent photos. If it's not excellent, it's mine.

Hence photos are COPYRIGHTED. If you love one of these I will trace back through the 20 or so steps it took me to move them to the blog and advise him how to contact you. They would love you to have a photo for your publication, I'm sure. Email WaikoloaNightingale@gmail.com with your intended use, your contact information and I will let them know.

Count the donkey ears waiting to board in Waiki'i Ranch. There are more!

Mark Meyers, PVDR. uses his Texas hat to encourage them along the chute.

Inga Gibson, HSUS, takes a blissful break from the same work. She had a little flag on the end of a bendable pole she used instead of a hat.

Mark Meyers, Amy Meyers, of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, with Dr. Brady Bergin of Waimea.

Your Waikoloa Pizza Delivery Girl made sure to put out token gifts for volunteers so they would know the people of Waikoloa supported and loved them.

Donkey gently encouraged (by Inga) to go ahead and get on the trailer. 119 of them did. That is what the plane had room for. There were a couple other animals flying also, a goat and a horse. They were not flying at HSUS expense. There was the most beautiful goat I've ever seen (a Ram, a stud probably) and a lovely horse. Very well trained animals, both.

Aloha, Waiki'i.

Holo holo!

Some of the 10 trailers lined up at airport.


Late day sun gives golden glow to donkeys on a red trailer.

Waikoloa Nightingale transfers from trailer to container for shipping, first checking it out with careful testing. Donkeys are cautious and not prone to rash decisions. (Once the first donkey travels through a gate and doesn't disappear, others usually follow along. The surface is a soft one and there is bedding material so they can lie down if they like.

Volunteers push container as it is loaded with donkeys then help pull it up onto the trailer platform for ride to plane

These are their homes for the trip. These are loaded two a trailer to be pulled in a connected train out to the plane. Picture precious cargo or luggage of he Prince of Wales being loaded onto a jet. Just like your baggage, but much nicer!! And then each container is secured to the plane cargo hold itself, for a smooth flight.

Clinic Photos August 27 - 28

2011-10-01T11:33:00.000-10:00

A few photos of clinic volunteers during lunch break on Day One and pau hana on Day Two.

Keith Dane, pau hana.

Mahalo Letter From Keith Dane, HSUS (Extract)

2011-09-22T10:29:00.009-10:00

August 26, 2011, Waikoloa Community Meeting

Waikoloans and all Friends of Waikoloa Nightingales, you sustain me.
This letter is for YOU!
Community support is required for HSUS to take on a project like this and to secure funding from major donors. By coming to meetings, sending contributions, showing interest, being informed, and being appreciative of their efforts, we demonstrate Waikoloa welcomes HSUS efforts. --Anika
Dear Waikoloa Donkey Project supporter,
I wanted to provide you with an update on the great news from Hawaii – and California – about the success of our donkey rescue and rehoming project thus far. To date, nearly 400 donkeys have been removed from harm, spared from the threat of starvation or lethal eradication – with over half placed in loving homes in Hawaii, and 119 transported to California, where Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue will care for them while they await adoption or transfer to permanent sanctuary, at Eagle Eye Sanctuary in Northern CA and HSUS’s Cleveland Amory Black Beauty Ranch in TX...

This project could not have been possible without the cooperation and support of local groups and individuals on the Big Island (our Hawaii state director Inga Gibson, Stan Boteilho, Anika Glass and Malama Waikoloa Nightingales, Bird McIver of CB Horse Rescue, and many other volunteers and community supporters), the heroic efforts of Dr. Brady Bergin and support of his spouse Tiffany, and the generosity of HSUS donors. Many thanks for your ongoing support for this life-saving project.

Best,

Keith

Keith Dane Director, Equine Protection kdane@humanesociety.org
The Humane Society of the United States 2100 L Street NW Washington, DC 20037 
humanesociety.org Join Our Email List Facebook Twitter

A Donkey Near Mamalahoa Highway

2011-09-18T19:55:00.004-10:00

Example Waikoloa Nightingale
Ear Damage From Rough Life

Amidst all this great news, I need to remind everyone there can be donkeys on the road any time, anywhere. Right now there seems to be a donkey loose near the 9MM of Mamalahoa Highway. Just one. As you know, catching a donkey is not easy at all, but we are all trying our best. Meanwhile, drive carefully. Especially you dawn commuters to North Hawaii Community Hospital and the telescopes.

As always, if you see a donkey near the road, outside of fencing, call Police Dispatch at 935--3311. If it is on the road, you may need to use 911, if you deem it an emergency situation. If you can, stay near the spot where you can see the donkey so you can report it's location if the police are sending someone right away.

Photo by Michael O'Brien.

Bakersfield TV on the Donkeys' Safe Arrival in Tehatchpi

2011-09-18T16:49:00.003-10:00

All the news coverage expanding. Not only the Los Angeles Times, but globally. I particularly like these back-to-back updates from TV KBAK, Bakersfield. It's really fun to watch, especially the second report where you can see OUR beloved Nightingales.
http://tinyurl.com/Donkeys-Arrive-in-Tehachapi
Earlier, I forgot to link this nice little article on the HSUS website.
http://www.humanesociety.org/news/news/2011/09/donkey_flight_091611.html

Waikoloa Nightingale Adoptions Take to the Skies

2011-09-18T16:38:00.003-10:00

Dr. Brady Bergin & Inga Gibson
Kona Airport, Plane in Background
Michael O'Brien photo

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue now has 119 of our Waikoloa Nightingale; they saw their first California sunrise Saturday morning! They are probably over their jet lag already, but I don't know if Dr. Brady Bergin is over his, after organizing and working the all-day effort to load the donkeys and caravan with them to the, and his lovely night spent at LAX awaiting his early morning flight back to the Island.

The Big Island Video news was taped at the airport. Outstanding Job!

http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2011/09/17/video-over-100-waikoloa-donkeys-board-plane-for-california/

Hawaii News Now's report is their 5 PM version, so it has excellent footage and interviews of the clinic a few weeks ago, and an update.

http://www.hawaiinewsnow.com/story/15484645/yes-its-true-donkeys-fly

KITV report that shows the flight taking off late yesterday afternoon.

http://www.kitv.com/video/29215326/detail.html

None of this would be possible without

Generous major donors especially Ugo Sap, who owns Eagle Eye Sanctuary Foundation for donkeys in Northern California, plus Wendy McCaw Foundation, the Pettus Crowe Foundation, and the West Hawaii Humane Society.
The Humane Society of the United States (especially Inga Gibson and Keith Dane) whose national team found the donors and created a fund just for our donkeys.

Dr. Brady Bergin of Waimea, who organized EVERYTHING and donated all his professional expertise and services.

Mark and Amy Meyers of Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue and Dr. Brady Bergin of

Waimea. Photo courtesy Randy C. Horne.

Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, Mark and Amy Meyers.

Several people who fostered donkeys to make them more "adoptable" by newbies, including CB Horse Rescue and Gena Almaden.

At least 50, hands-on volunteers, who have donated work, time, and gas and on-going use of their trailers.

Our rancher Stanley Bothello.

Tiffany Bergin (Dr. Bergin's wife) who has managed to have a baby (now 18 months!) and support this effort magnificently, both herself, and by giving us so much of Dr. Bergin's time.

Dr. Bergin's entire staff, the "Donkey Coordinator," Liz Hendricks who volunteers directly for for Dr Bergin.

Several local merchants who have given us discounts and free support (food!), including Les at Waikoloa Village Market, Solimene's Restaurant in Waimea, and Donkey Balls candy, Hawaiian Quilt Shop thanks to Mele Waikiki, and Hilo'sTanya Kearns of ManilaExtract.

All the people I left out!

More than 200 adoptions on our Island. (Just heard from a new "parent" yesterday)

Equine 808 which is now re-homing donkeys on Oahu!

And all the adopters in Hawaii that will still come forward, as there are plenty more donkeys to find new homes. And we sure need someone to help with creating a sanctuary right here. We've barely begun to work on that.

State Senator Clayton Hee Video Interview

2011-09-04T12:22:00.004-10:00

Just watch:
http://www.bigislandvideonews.com/2011/09/01/video-volunteers-power-waikoloa-donkey-clinic/

Senator Hee eloquently explains the clinic is the "embodiment of a way of life", an all-volunteer effort of people helping donkeys originally brought here to be hard-working animals for a variety of work, especially in the Kona coffee industry. No tax-payer money has been spent on this on-going, successful project.

Ginger Towne, West Hawaii Humane Society
with Senator Clayton Hee

Senator Hee, participated in the entire clinic, as well as attending our Waikoloa Talk Story the night before, about an hour off his plane from Oahu! He is an expert horseman and who grew up in Kona on coffee plantations and speaks directly to why we must care for our donkeys.

Dr. Bergin also explains and shows more what happened "in the chute", which was not part of the first video.

Again, thanks to Big Island Video News comes through great viewing and excellent interviews.

Big Island Video News is broadcast on Na Leo Hawaii, channels 53 and 54, Monday through Friday. Set up your recorder now!

Monday through Thursday, 5 pm and 9:30 pm,channel 53

10 minute daily news.

Friday, 5 pm, channel 54 and 9:30, channel 53,

30 minute weekly wrap up.

Video of Donkey Clinic at Waiki'i Ranch August 27 - 28

2011-08-31T16:53:00.002-10:00

Nothing I could tell you about the clinic would be a bit better than asking you to watch this Big Island Video News report. It takes less than 5 minutes, and every second is action packed, in living color, and loaded with information. Remember, everything you see is done to veterinary equine protocol of the highest standards and the jacks are anesthetized. There is a reason for everything, to protect the donkeys and the people helping them.

http://tinyurl.com/BI-Video-News-Donkey-Clinic

The Waikoloa talk story about donkeys last Friday at the Church was very well attended and we had many special guests. Up front, in addition to the usual cast, we had the four veterinary volunteers from Salinas, California, plus State Senator Clayton Hee. In the audience, were folks who had adopted donkeys and talked of their experiences.

Senator Hee rode tall in the saddle in the clinic on Saturday and Sunday and was a big help. I was privileged to be at the clinic, watch from outside the fence, and meet all the volunteers. Another Friend of the Waikoloa Nightingales joined me and got to talk story with people from all the Islands, including paniolo on horses and utility vehicles. Horse trailers and trucks galore. Wow, so impressive.

New! Waikoloa Nightingale Tote Bag Supports HSUS Waikoloa Donkey Fund

2011-08-25T22:06:00.001-10:00

Nightingale Tote Bag

A Hilo friend of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales, Tanya Kearns, has been successfully selling these well made totes on her Etsy "Manila Extract" store. (http://www.etsy.com/shop/ManilaExtract). (Click the Nightingale Tote Bag caption to go directly to the tote.)

10% of the proceeds from the sales go to the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) Waikoloa Donkey Fund. That fund pays for medical supplies and other necessities for Dr. Brady Bergin to continue to provide his professional services to the Waikoloa Donkeys that are being re-homed (adopted), with all males castrated. Without that financial support for supplies, he could not continue his work.

I've drawn compliments from all over, carrying mine around. It's perfect for holding all the stuff one might need for a meeting or a trip to the beach or while out shopping. These are finely crafted bags, neatly finished in and out.

Manila Extract also donated clutch bags, good for holding essentials and small items to put in the gifts for the Mainland volunteers coming for the donkey clinic. You can see a similar one here http://www.etsy.com/listing/61340775/island-fresh-kona-coffee-clutch-for-fall.

Waikoloa Talk Story August 26th, 6:30, at Community Church

2011-08-15T16:31:00.000-10:00

Talk Story about Waikoloa Donkeys

Friday August 26th at 6:30 – 7:30 PM

Waikoloa Community Church Fellowship Hall

Paniolo Ave., across from Waikoloa School

Malama Waikoloa Nightingales is hosting a Community Talk Story to review the latest developments with our Waikoloa feral donkeys. All Waikoloans are invited and encouraged to participate.

The leaders of humane efforts to re-home Waikoloa Donkeys are Brady Bergin, Waimea veterinarian, plus Inga Gibson and Keith Dane of the United States Humane Society (USHS). They will review accomplishments and explain the immediately upcoming clinic to examine over 100 captured Waikoloa Nightingale donkeys, castrating the jacks, and readying them for re-homing (adoption).

USHS Medical Associates veterinarian clinic volunteers from the Mainland will also be on hand for information sharing. Other recent developments, local adoption activities, and the plan to safely fly about 100 donkeys to a renowned donkey rescue in Southern California, in September will be highlighted. This means the vets and their assistants will be creating thorough documentation and "chipping" of individual donkeys so some may be shipped out-of-state.

Community questions and concerns about these volunteer efforts will be addressed, in a Q&A session.

For more information email waikoloanightingale@gmail.com"

New! How Waikoloa Village Can Help Support the Donkeys!

2011-07-23T16:14:00.007-10:00

We have a wonderful opportunity to malama the Waikoloa Nightingales from our homes here in Waikoloa. No need to adopt, send large donations, donate or provide vast acreage,

We need individuals to donate food and drinks for lunch for the USHS-assisted donkey clinic on August Saturday, August 27 and Monday, August 29th. Click How to Help Page for all the details! There also a link to it near the upper right corner of this page. A driver and a few other things are useful! If you can't click the link, email waikoloanightingale@gmail.com for details. I can call you back if you include your phone number in your email.

Donkeys can Fly!

2011-07-19T23:07:00.009-10:00

Thanks to Keahi Tucker for that line on KHNL News! The news video is in upper right corner. Teri Okita's well written story is printed, also. She did some wonderful telephone interviews.

We are almost ready to begin sending some of the Waikoloa Nightingales to a new home at a premier rescue facility, Peaceful Valley Donkey Rescue, in California. Eager adopters are being lined up there, already. They will all be allowed to live out their full lives.

Transportation of the highest quality is to be provided by Pacific Airlift, compliments of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS). The donkeys are flying to Southern California the same way a Thoroughbred horse and our finest live Kohala cattle go: with appropriate medical screening and care, a good shower, documentation, a ton of paperwork and under optimal shipping condition. They will be treated like First Class Passengers and will have a smoother trip than most of us do, what with the valet service at departure and arrival, donkey experts flying along with them to monitor them, and free gourmet meals. OK, no gourmet meals, I was making that part up.

We continue to adopt out donkeys here in Hawai'i, so don't worry about that stopping. And we still have the goal of a donkey preserve so we can manage the herd and control it's growth.

This is thrilling news and a major milestone.

HSUS Vets are coming! August 26 - 29, 2011

2011-07-17T18:02:00.004-10:00

The wonderful news that the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is sending over a team of professionals from their HSUS Medical Associates, donkey experts all, was shared with us recently! August 26th through the 29th are scheduled. They will assist Dr. Brady Bergin, his assistants, and all the local Donkey Heroes in a big castration clinic. They will also do testing of animals that will be shipped out of Hawaii to check for Donkey diseases, and "chipping" of the donkeys with their individual information. (A microchip is implanted just under their skin, just like pets with loving owners, so they can be identified if found.) Dr. Bergin is talking to the California State Veterinarian to find out all the information requirements that must be met.

Another big need was met earlier, when a generous donor loaned Dr. Bergin use of some near-by land with plenty of food and water to hold the donkeys. Dr. Bergin and his has already moved 101 Nightingales there. This is the number we currently are going to have homes for in September.

With the miltiple sightings of 100+ Nightingales around the Waikoloa Road 10 mile marker collecting still more is no problem, They probably aren't the only ones still out there. We'll have to see what's up with a fly over, or simply seeing more. Which does happen. (I love it when you let me know these things, so be sure and just say "Hi! And give me your scoops at waikoloanightingale@gmail.com..)

Update: Where Did All the Donkeys Go?

2011-06-16T01:14:00.004-10:00

If you live here, you know, we have had a good amount of rain. This has allowed the Waikoloa Nightingale donkeys to spread out for green grasses and water. (Donkeys get a lot of water from the young grasses.) This has relieved pressure on the donkeys and they are much less of a problem on Waikoloa Road and less of an annoyance in the neighborhoods.

But they are still here, so stay alert. While the Hawaii Police Department reports no calls on donkey sightings on Waikoloa Road in May (yea!), there was a reliable anecdotal report from a tourist that they avoided a donkey right on the road a few days ago.

They are still around the Village but according to my Waikoloa reporters, they are putting less pressure on the neighborhoods. South Kohala Community Policing Officer Denise Smith-Erickson has seen one in a Waikoloa front yard, and was quite amazed. She'd heard a lot about them, but that was her first sighting, right there!

New: Mobile Viewing - Sorta

2011-06-15T23:27:00.003-10:00

"Cell Phone Art" by Brett Rogers
(http://www.beatcanvas.com)

When you are on the go with your handy mobile device, checking Malama-Waikoloa-Nightingales.blogspot.com will now give a nice mini-view of this blog . It doesn't show the columns to the right hand side of page with all the link buttons to donate, contact other sites, the mission statement, nor the disclaimers at bottom of page. For complete functionality, best to check us from a web browser on your mobile device. That involves a lot of scrolling but will give full information.

If you experience difficulties with mobile viewing, please email waikoloanightingale@gmail.com to report your problem. This is a beta feature. Let me know what device you are using.

Update - HSUS, Capture, and Adoptions

2011-06-15T10:47:00.006-10:00

Trapping rates have slowed considerably because the donkeys have spread out after the rains. This means HSUS has had to postpone again bringing over a team of veterinarians and assistants with donkey experience to help Dr. Brady Bergin. It will happen when we have enough donkeys.

Also, we will definitely see a capture pen come closer to the Village as soon as there is a significant uptick in reliable sightings in certain areas. It's important to continue to report sightings to Malama Waikoloa Nightingales at WaikkoloaNightingale@gmail.com. Include your address. Your name and phone help too, but where they are, when they are, and how many they are is critical to correct placing the pen where it will catch the most donkeys.

Dr. Bergin and Bird McIver of CB Horse Rescue have an ever growing outreach and new adopters all the time. I think over 300 donkeys have found nice new homes and won't be making more little donkeys to escape and allow the overpopulation to continue. Current captures have slowed.

Update: Hawaiian Horse Rescue's Work with Donkeys

2011-04-20T18:57:00.000-10:00

I'd like to relay that the Hawaiian Horse Rescue has fostered and then adopted out over 80 of the donkeys readied by Dr. Bergin and his volunteers. (In all, well over 200 have been re-homed.) All of the donkeys have gone to loving homes right on this Island. Right now there are two mature males awaiting a new home. The Rescue gives pregnant jennies time to foal and ensures a healthy birth, provides medical care, and gives jacks a place to recover from their castrations. These two fellows are good to go.

Just TOO CUTE Not to Post

2011-03-29T17:10:00.003-10:00

This photo is from CB Horse Rescue, which is doing such amazing work fostering and caring for and adopting out the donkeys that Dr. Bergin has ready. It is of a yearling that was recently adopted out and an almost-newborn whose Mom was fostered through a difficult pregnancy. Without CB Horse Rescue that Mom would have had a tough go. Mom and baby are doing great!

HPD Report: No Donkeys Reported on Road

2011-03-20T21:19:00.000-10:00

The County of Hawaii Police Department reports than in January and February there were no calls about donkeys on Waikoloa Road. Yes!

Remember, you can still see them from the road and about Waikoloa.

See a Donkey on the Road? Call Police Dispatch 935-3311. Click for Details.

Community Meeting Update

2011-02-21T10:55:00.000-10:00

Last Thursday's meeting in the WVA Comm Room was a very satisfying experience, audience included, I've heard. There were at least 20 in the audience, which is astounding given the very late announcement of the meeting. Those of you who said you would call or email with special questions and needs and offers: please do!

Dr. Brady Bergin and Keith Dane (Director Equine Protection, Humane Society of the U. S.) gave a thorough update on numbers of donkeys captured and subsequently adopted after castration. (About 130.) The HSUS will definitely send over their team of Vets and Assistants to help us, once we are steadily capturing donkeys again. New locations for a trap are being arranged, 20 acre local holding areas are within our sights, and there are several people who are being interviewed and visited who could help relocate large numbers of donkeys, right on this Island, in good habitat. Keith has spent considerable time doing a site investigation of a very large piece of land with water, fencing, good donkey conditions. There are adopters of smaller numbers of donkeys in queue, with more needed.

Yes, we will be getting to the donkeys that tend to hang mostly around Waikoloa. Those donkeys are pretty much the same donkeys up the hill, there are multiple ways for them to travel up and down the mountain. But we will do trapping here. Right now Brady is working on developing the cooperation needed to capture donkeys in a new area that will be very productive. Keith is in the mix as he sees where HSUS might be able to help provide the nudge to move it along.

Hearing that so many Waikoloans don't think the donkeys are a threat and that they are like the humane approach being taken, and are resolved to the long haul –– That is especially important for Keith to hear, because he needs HSUS and their major donors to know there is strong and consistent community support.

Those with several new ideas about promoting the efforts better and some specific suggestions, I definitely noted them. I'll work on them to the best of my ability. Hey, I can use help!

Special shout outs to

Bird of CB Hawaii Horse Rescue in Puna who came back to Waikoloa after two full days work with Dr. Bergin's crew and hauling a trailer of donkeys from Waimea to Puna, before turning around and coming back for the meeting. CB Hawaii Horse Rescue has temporarily handled many donkeys, gotten them de-wormed and vaccinated, settled down, personality assessed, farrier care if needed, extensively screened dozens of people who are adopting donkeys from the Rescue. What a wonderful contribution. And, despite her time and high costs, getting adopters to make a donation to defray expenses is still a tough sell. CB Hawaii Horse Rescue is worthy of your attention. CB is a non-profit, donkeys are making it thanks to her personal generosity. See the permanent link on the right.

North Hawaii News, Editor Ron Eland and contributor Patti Cook, who featured the meeting prominently Thursday edition and lead at least two people to the meeting. This helps over-all community awareness, too, and I am thankful to have NHN!

Dr Brady Bergin, Donkey Hero; Anika Glass, Malama Waikoloa Nightingales; Keith Dane, USHS National Equine Protection Director.

Donations to the HSUS Hawaii Donkey fund pass directly to Waikoloa donkeys, see "donate" on the right. This covers the expenses Dr. Bergin wants covered, and much more.

Waikoloa Donkey Community Meeting on THURSDAY @ 6:30!

2011-02-12T10:25:00.000-10:00

Waikoloa Nightingale Donkey Community Meeting!

Thursday February 17

6:30 PM

WVA Community Room

This coming Thursday, a community meeting to update the community and provide another opportunity to express concerns or ask questions is planned. A great time to compare notes and to help the team locate where there are donkey poking about.
Dr. Brady Bergin, Waimea veterinarian, and Keith Dane, Director Equine Protection, Humane Society of the United States, will brief the community on recent progress managing and re-homing the feral Waikoloa donkeys in the Waikoloa Village Association Community Room, 68-1792 Melia St.
All welcome. Beginning at 6:30 PM, the meeting will be 1 hour, with plenty of time access after for individual discussions with the experts. The meeting is hosted by Mālama Waikoloa Nightingales. For more information, call 937-2309.

HB 1334 - Deferred!

2011-02-08T14:10:00.000-10:00

Iʻm happy to report that the House Water, Land and Ocean (WLO) Committee "deferred" action on “HB 1334, Relating to Feral Animals,” that would have let a State agency the right to control any mammal in sweeping and ill-advised ways, including spreading feral animals far and wide, even requiring the County to pay for spreading them, with no funding.

There was lots of public testimony, including ours, and Friends of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales.

Deferred means it is "probably" dead for this 2011 Legislative Session, but I will keep an eye on it to make sure it doesnʻt sneak back. The Hawaii Legislature www.capitol.hawaii.gov website is useful for finding and tracking bills.

update... It is pau. There may be other developments, but not such sweeping ones. And not a Bill this session.

HOT Action Update: Waikoloa Nightingale Donkeys Need Your Help NOW

2011-02-04T15:44:00.000-10:00

House Bill 1334, Relating to Feral Animals - Oppose

“HB 1334, Relating to Feral Animals,” is a very concerning piece of legislation that would give State agencies the right to control any mammal deemed feral. The alternatives given to the State are sweeping and unnecessary.The Bill is linked above and elsewhere in this post.

... update... issue currently 'dead'. Something may still come about, but not this.

Donkeys in the News!

2011-02-03T15:30:00.000-10:00

Yes, the Medical Associates of the Humane Society of the U.S. has delayed sending its team of veterinarians over because we couldn't guarantee having a minimum of 100 ready for them. But it's still on for when we can.

Meanwhile, Dr. Bergin and our rancher have caught 35 and have them in process for the more than 50 pre-approved adopters who are awaiting them! So, it goes on, and we will get there!

Catherine Cruz of KITV is doing a super job in following this story! http://www.kitv.com/news/26739172/detail.html

Horse Journal Publishes Waikoloa Nightingale Plight

2011-01-16T16:30:00.000-10:00

The Hawaii Horse Journal, Malama Lio, published a full page article on the status of re-homing the donkeys around Waikoloa. The Journal can be downloaded, the article is on page 14, complete with two cute pix. The magazine is read by horse enthusiasts from all the Islands and elsewhere, too! Many thanks to this absorbing publication.

You'll need to download the entire .pdf file to read the article, this is best done from their website malama-lio.com.

Team of HSUS Vets Coming to Waikoloa: Needed–Corral and Fenced Pasture

2011-01-13T20:51:00.000-10:00

Do you have some fenced land near Waikoloa?

The Medical Associates of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) is bringing in three volunteer veterinarians and two vetinary assistants to conduct a clinic neuter captured male donkeys. They will assist Dr. Brady Bergin for 5 days in February. Dr. Bergin with assistants, paniolos and ranchers plan to capture 100-120 donkeys and have them in a holding area with a cattle corral in time for their visit. After the clinic, the donkeys will be available for adoption.

It is going to be a challenge to capture them because the rain (which is good news) allowed the donkeys to scatter out with more plentiful food and water.

The donkeys who are captured need food and water. Money can be donated to the USHS to buy feed and other resources used to care for the donkeys. Volunteers are providing veterinary, logistical and donkey-handling. Please donate money to the USHS Waikoloa donkey program, at www.humanesociety.org/hawaiidonkeys.

Also, see the "How to Help Page".

45 Attend Waikoloa Community Donkey Forum

2010-11-19T09:17:00.000-10:00

Forty-five residents and neighbors attended a lively Donkey Forum at the Waikoloa Community Church November 17. There was lots of progress reported on humane management of the herds, to relieve the stress on donkeys, residents, and drivers.

First: see this video by Big Island Video News to catch the excitement!

Waimea Veterinarian Dr. Brady Bergin arrived straight from a full day of donkey duties, in his scrubs, to describe the current efforts to capture, castrate, and re-home donkeys. About 100 have been adopted to date. Dr. Bergin is working with a rancher above Waikoloa right now. Plans are to expand efforts in and around Waikoloa Village. Dr. Bergin and his amazing team are in the process of approving adoption applications in preparation for re-homing donekys.

Inga Gibson of the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) had good news, as well. HSUS is providing financial support and soliciting donations for donkey. A search is under way for a secure rancing corral in our area to be used as a temporary holding site for the trapped donkeys. This would allow the gathering of a large number of donkeys so the HSUS Veterinary Medical Association can fly in a team to help Dr. Bergin castrate a larger numbers of males more efficiently. If you know of such a site, please call Aina Hou Animal Hospital at 989-6149.
People can donate via a restricted and dedicated account specifically at www.humanesociety.org/hawaiidonkeys. Donors may also drop off a check at any Hawaii Island Humane Society (HIHS) shelters. (Kona, Waimea and Keaau.) Make checks payable HIHS, with a note on the check, “Waikoloa Donkeys”.

Click to download a donkey adoption application. We need adopters pre-approved, after large castration clinics, the donkeys can be quickly re-homed.

See the new "How to Help" page on this blog for many other needs.

HPD Community Policing Officer Paul Bugado asked attendees not to water donkeys in their yards, because it draws ever more donkeys into Waikoloa Village. Dr. Bergin and Inga confirmed the donkeys do have water sources available.

Anika Glass thanked HPD for its commitment to put up occasional electronic signage on Waikoloa Road. Mahalo also to Hawaii County Public Works for testing “Strieter-lites” near the 7 Mile Marker of Waikoloa Road. “Strieter-lites” may help mitigate the appearance of donkeys on Waikoloa Road. (See http://www.strieter-lite.com/)

Real progress is being made on humanely managing our Waikoloa donkeys and preventing any donkey crisis that might be in our future. Thank you for your continued patience and support.

KITV's Catherine Cruz Reports on Waikoloa Donkeys

2010-11-18T21:00:00.000-10:00

A big mahalo to Catherine Cruz and her team from KITV who came over and taped and created a three-part show on our feral Waikoloa Donkeys. The three segments are linked below. I don't know how long they will remain posted by KITV.
Kris Kosa‐Correia, Waikoloa School Principal, is featured, along with the rancher who is working with us, Dr. Brady Bergin, and Inga Gibson, USHS. There is wonderful footage of the donkeys up close and accurate reporting. Take a look.

KITV Waikoloa Donkeys 1
KITV Waikoloa Donkeys 2
KITV Waikoloa Donkeys 3.

Waikoloa Donkey Community Forum November 17

2010-11-08T08:29:00.001-10:00

Join Dr. Brady Bergin (Aina Hou Vet Hospital), Anika Glass (Malama Waikoloa Nightingales), Inga Gibson (The Humane Society of the United States), local animal protection organizations and concerned residents for a discussion and update on the Waikoloa Donkey herd and continuing plans for their humane management. Share your concerns and suggestions and learn how to get involved in compassionately and effectively managing these iconic Hawaii Island equines.

Things are really humming along, come learn the latest!

When: Wednesday, November 17^th, 6:30pm

Where: Waikoloa Community Church, 68-3625 Paniolo Avenue

Contact: Anika Glass at waikoloanightingale@gmail.com

Electronic Signage Approved!

2010-10-30T17:05:00.000-10:00

We are on a roll here!

Police Chief Kubojiri has confirmed that the Hawaii County Police Department will put up occasional flashing signage on Waikoloa Road. In fact, friends of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales have reported seeing the sign already. Here is an earlier post on this subject.

The HPD have been responsive and very professional in meeting requests from South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee for increased reporting on donkey-on-the-road calls and electronic signage. Meanwhile, the Public Works folks will have the test of Streiter lites set up next month. Mahalo County of Hawaii.

HPD Now Reporting Donkey Statistics

2010-10-15T06:33:00.000-10:00

Hawaii Police Department has responded to our request and started reporting to the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee calls about donkeys on the roadways and any accidents related to donkeys.

HPD is very responsive to your calls and takes action on them. They can't help serve you unless you report sightings of donkeys on or by the roadway.

See a Donkey on the Road? Call Police Dispatch 935-3311. Click for Details.

In July and August, there were a dozen calls for service relating to donkeys on Waikoloa Road. Details were provided. They were between the 6 and 9 Mile Markers. Sometimes officers were able to find the donkeys and round them up, protecting drivers and donkeys from potential accidents. Calls were made during both daylight and nighttime hours. But they were all morning or evening, not noon nor midnight.

There were no reports of accidents.

Our community policing officer is out there on the road trying to herd donkeys on our behalf, so MWN salutes his efforts!

"Don't be Cruel"

2010-10-01T17:52:00.000-10:00

Here is the West Hawaii Humane Society's outstanding response to the recent article in the Star Advertiser, pointing out the treatment by DLNR and USDA of feral animals in Hawaii. Malama Waikoloa Nightingales, you, are the local community members to whom she refers. Headline is a link to original.

Don't be cruel to feral donkeys

For those aware of the state Department of Land and Natural Resources' cruel and wasteful aerial hunt of cattle in Hualalai last year, or the U.S. Department of Agriculture Wildlife Service's killing of thousands of animals in Hawaii each year, it's encouraging to see community members, veterinarians and the Humane Society working together to pursue humane and effective options to control the feral donkey population ("Donkey problems increasing," Star-Advertiser, Sept. 12).

Cruel, inefficient and archaic methods of control have no place in a compassionate society, especially when progressive, non-lethal means are available.

The Waikoloa donkeys were introduced by humans to serve humans -- we therefore have a responsibility to humanely manage their populations.

Ginger Towle
President, West Hawaii Humane Society

Donkey Re-homing Begins

2010-09-30T07:07:00.000-10:00

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

2010-09-22T11:04:00.000-10:00

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

SKTSC Requests Electronic Signage from HPD

2010-09-22T10:57:00.000-10:00

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

2010-09-12T17:23:00.000-10:00

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

2010-09-10T07:05:00.000-10:00

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

2010-09-03T13:40:00.000-10:00

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

2010-09-02T09:39:00.000-10:00

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.

Donkeys in the VIDEO News!

2010-08-26T11:42:00.000-10:00

Look at this great video news story by Dave Corrigan of Big Island Video News. Thoughtful interviews with Keith Dane, HSUS Equine Director, and Dr. Brady Bergin of Waimea about hope for our donkeys. Big Island Video News covers many Kohala topics and is found at http://www.bigislandvideonews.com and also has regular showings on Na Leo o Hawaii public access television. Bookmark it!

VIDEO: Waikoloa donkeys discussed at Hawaii Horse Expo

Today's North Hawaii News has an excellent article on last Saturday's community meeting with Waikoloa Village Association, United States Humane Society, and Dr. Brady Bergin. On news stands now. Check out the donkey dos and donkey don'ts.

Community Meeting on Donkeys a Great Success!

2010-08-23T10:38:00.000-10:00

The Donkey Round Table at the WVA Conference room was well attended. We ran out of chairs! On a Saturday night! I'll count chairs to see how many were in attendance, and add 15.

The audience represented every view point about donkeys I can imagine exists. That was a very good thing.

A large number of homeowners directly affected by donkeys on their properties were also involved and great participants.

I am very happy to report:

The WVA will very likely support paying for water to keep a large number of donkeys from descending into the Village while it continues its efforts to capture and re-home the ones currently around the village. They may also help defray costs of medicines used to neuter male donkeys that are re-homed, so we are not just moving the problem around. These costs are very moderate, a tiny fraction of the money the WVA had to spend on one fence to keep donkeys off the golf course. There were pros and cons expressed on this; I think most people are in agreement with this general plan.

Please mention your support for these plans to a WVA Board Member. This will help ensure a positive outcome. You can reach the WVA Board Members by phone or by email to wvaadmin2@waikoloa.org and asking it to be forwarded to all or certain Board Members.

Dr. Brady Bergin is willing to perform services as needed on a volunteer basis, and has other vets lined up to also pitch in. The Humane Society of the United States (USHS) can also send in a team, if we need one.

Both Dr. Bergin and the HSUS are very optimistic about mid and long term plans to manage the herds at a sustainable level. Keith Dane, their National Equine Director stepped up to the plate with many ideas they will explore. HSUS have excellent contacts and resources to bring to help in the effort of humanely keep the donkey population from growing so fast. They are actively working on these very issues today, making a technical presentation at the Horse Expo in Waikoloa today, Sunday, to gain interest and support for the ideas they have.

The time will come when more will be needed of us, but nothing we can't do. Right now, just be grateful! WVA members, please let the Board know of your support.

Donkey Meeting with USHS Waikoloa Saturday Aug. 21 at 6 PM

2010-08-15T16:14:00.000-10:00

Donkey Poster August 2010

Hawaii Horse Expo in Waikoloa August 20 - 22

2010-07-29T18:33:00.000-10:00

The US Humane Society is bringing national equine experts to the Hawaii Horse Expo to share ideas with other Expo participants that address the high rate of grown of the donkey herds near Waikoloa. They hope to help us engage local participants in the on-going efforts to mitigate donkey problems, humanely. The expanding size of the herds is one reason donkeys still turn up on Waikoloa Road.

UXO

2010-07-28T19:35:00.000-10:00

If you live near Waikoloa, you know UXO means unexploded ordinance. We are loaded with it. I'm sure a few donkeys have encountered it. Just wanted to note that we made contact with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers on the possibility of needing to put volunteers in an area to work with the donkey herds. (USACE is in charge of the projects to remove ordinance from the old Waikoloa Maneuver Area.) Nothing is set. Just trying to think of everything.

County Considering "Strieter-Lites" for Waikoloa Road

2010-07-27T15:37:00.000-10:00

A civil engineer from the County Traffic Division came out and, with MWN memebers, took a look at an area around the S curve that might serve as a test for something called Strieter-Lites. For now they have ordered just a few to "take a look at" and then determine if a test will be set up. These devices go along the roadside and are triggered by headlights to emit a pattern of red light that appears to be moving, that only the animals will see, not drivers. Whether or not it will work for donkeys is unknown. In some places, it has worked for moose, elk, and deer. Donkeys do become used to lighting as a deterrent, so we will have to see. Also, note, they only will work at night, dawn, and dusk when people hopefully have their headlights on. And if a donkey is already on the road...

I am encouraged by this interest in something new by the County.

Meanwhile, I am going to continue to ask about the electronic warning signs for us humans. So far all I've heard is unofficial and along the lines of "they are all broken."

Site Meeting with County Traffic Department

2010-07-21T12:29:00.000-10:00

We have a meeting set up with the County for next week to inspect the area along the S curve. They are helping us look for ways to keep donkeys off the road...and make drivers more aware of donkeys.

Awaiting Word from the County Public Works re: Electronic Signage

2010-07-01T14:43:00.000-10:00

We've been following up on the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee request to Director Warren Lee to investigate the occasional use of electronic signage to alert drivers of possible donkeys on the road. See the May 12th post for the SKTSC letter to the County.

Donkeys in Your Yard? Donkeys in the Road, Too. Please Don't Provide Water!

2010-06-25T13:03:00.000-10:00

Watering donkeys near your property draws more donkeys around the Village and making that many more of them down the hill, where there is no fencing. That donkey warning sign on Waikoloa Rd, just makai of Paniolo is there because donkeys have been sighted in that area for some time. They are down around the Fire Department, too.

Plus providing water to them near your yard is keeping them away from the safe capture point where donkeys are captured and removed from the Village. That is the solution. Let it work.

Please see previous posts on the subject of "water".

Please, pass this word around: don't water the donkeys. The donkeys don't need it and while it might keep them out areas of your yard, it has delayed the WVA's relocation efforts.

Donkeys on the Roads

2010-06-15T12:56:00.000-10:00

There are definitely donkeys on the road, right now. We've had reports of from 2 to 6 that are out of fencing. Currently most of the sightings are at (what would be) the 7 mile marker on Waikoloa Road. Right at sunset is prime time, followed by late into the night. They are on either side of the road. Of course, they can be anywhere at anytime, so please remember DRIVE LIKE THERE MIGHT BE A DONKEY STANDING IN FRONT OF YOU, RIGHT AROUND THE NEXT CURVE. Or, maybe that car in front of you might find a donkey the hard way.

What to Do When You See a Donkey on the Road

US Humane Society Still Takes Interest

2010-05-31T15:42:00.000-10:00

We are happy to say we are having a conference call on Tuesday morning with representatives from the U.S.H.S. about ways to take care of our donkeys and keep them out of harms way. There is a lot to do to find humane ways of herd management, and having their assistance is the best there is.

Also I had a chance to speak briefly with Billy Kenoi, our Mayor, plus Cindy Evans, our State Rep., and Pete Hoffmann, our County Council Rep and brought them up to date on the status of donkeys on Waikoloa Road. They remain concerned and interested.

Multiple Sightings of One and Two Donkeys on Waikoloa Road

2010-05-21T09:18:00.000-10:00

They are also on the "Power Line Road" behind the Waikoloa Hills Condominiums, from where they have direct access to the road. Be especially careful at the entire length of the S curve. Keep an eye on cars ahead and behind you, too, so you can avoid a multi-vehicle crash. They are most often on the road at night.

What to Do When You See a Donkey on the Road

2010-05-12T13:40:00.000-10:00

Call Police Dispatch

935-3311

Don't Hit It!

As of last night there is a donkey on Waikoloa Road at the upper part of the S Curve just above the Village.

Captain Sanborn has confirmed that you can call Hawaii County Police Dispatch when you see a donkey on or by the road. They will send out an officer to try to locate the donkey, so give the clearest directions possible. (The S Curve is near the 7 mile marker. The bottom of the S Curve is "just above the stables.")

If they can find the donkey, they will get a rancher to come take it to the Hawaii Island Humane Society. It's hard to find a donkey in the dark; The Police will do their best.

Do not call 911, Call 935-3311 Please don't call them when you see the donkeys in your yard or behind fencing.

Working With County of Hawaii

2010-05-12T10:28:00.000-10:00

The South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee has asked Public Works to develop a procedure whereby the County's flashing traffic warning signs could be occasionally placed along Waikoloa Road, especially at the S curve above the Village, as a reminder to ourselves that there may be donkeys ahead. After a while, the posted signage becomes "invisible" to those of us who regularly traverse that section of road. I hope to have an update on the status of this by next month.

Donkeys are Healthy!

2010-05-04T13:29:00.000-10:00

Great News: a Malama Waikoloa Nightingales member has seen the donkeys captured by the WVA in their new home and they look great! They like it there, too. Right now their water worries are over.

Donkey Relocation Update

2010-05-01T08:21:00.000-10:00

Jim Whillock has provided an update to Waikoloa Village Association (WVA) members on the donkeys the WVA is capturing and relocating in order to keep them out of people's yards. Members of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales have been able to verify the methods of trapping and movement are humane, and that the place the donkeys are being taken is a good place. This will help reduce the frequency of donkeys on lower Waikoloa Road.

100 Donkeys

2010-03-23T13:43:00.001-10:00

Yesterday, March 21, 2010, one of the donkey herds, about 100 donkeys, was grazing within fencing, near Waikoloa Road from just above the stables to the just above the top of the S curve. They looked to be in good shape. Some Jennies were pregnant. There was evidence of donkey presence along the edge of the road, but only in one place.

The land above this between about the 10 and 11 mile marker is currently being used for cattle grazing. That property was fenced about a year ago.

Donkey Relocation Update

2010-02-22T13:41:00.000-10:00

The Waikoloa Village Association Manager reports that some donkeys around Waikoloa have been moved to fenced areas mauka. Plans are to capture "a larger part of the herd". At that point they will be moved to a place I am looking in to. It is probably fine. Still checking.

A Second Sighting on Waikoloa Road.

2010-02-22T13:35:00.000-10:00

We have a second reliable report of a donkey outside fencing, standing IN THE ROAD, on Waikoloa Road, just above the 8 mile marker. It was in the evening and there was one donkey visible.

March Update:
This was possibly the donkey that was last reported to us as a carcass in the road. So sad.

Please continue to contact us if you see donkeys outside of fenced areas near the road.

2010-02-13T09:34:00.001-10:00

There has been a reliable report of at least one donkey by the side of the road above the stable and in the S curve area. This was at dusk, evening. Stay Alert.

We know they are several locations within the Village. If/when donkeys are captured and moved from the Village area, it will be helpful to know at what addresses they remain. The addresses will not be posted but shared with those who might help continue efforts by the WVA.

Donkey Capture Status

2010-02-13T09:24:00.000-10:00

None of the donkeys around Waikoloa Village have been trapped yet, although the arrangement to lure them in the corral is in place. After they are trapped they are to be moved to a safe location and received care. We're in the process of double checking this is a good future for the donkeys, we think it will be.

Once successful, this will reduce (not eliminate) the threat of donkeys on lower Waikoloa Road.

Donkey Water Needs

2010-02-01T07:32:00.000-10:00

For the first time in several years, I do think the donkeys are having a hard time finding good water. It is dry from the top to the bottom of Waikoloa Road. Nevertheless, DON'T WATER THE DONKEYS IN YOUR YARD OR NEAR YOUR PROPERTY! It just draws them into the Village. The paucity of water also limits new fountain grass for grazing.

Long term plans, have to factor in the water situation as well as the acreage to determine about how many donkeys the area can support, and keep them healthy.

Answer to earlier trivia question: how much does a donkey weigh? My best guestimate, for the "mid size" Waikoloa donkey is 400-500 pounds. The amount of water consumption per donkey can be based on weight, times number of donkeys. Then we need estimates of how much water is "out there".

Donkey Fencing

2009-12-23T13:51:00.000-10:00

I was able to get a good look at the extensive fencing done by the WVA to keep donkeys off the golf course. The manager says it is working. In my daytime observation, it is definitely keeping goats out, there were dozens of them running up and down outside the fence. The fence is on the far side of the course in the photo below, not really visible in this photo.

The WVA has contracted with a business to capture donkeys by luring them to temporary corrals. Once the corral has captured donkeys, the corral must be moved, as donkeys are smart and won't go into that corral in the same place again! WVA plans to move donkeys somewhere and also to have the males gelded.

Status: Traffic Incidents with Donkeys along Waikoloa Road

2009-12-19T14:01:00.000-10:00

Through the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee, I asked Captain Sanborn of the HPD to report on the number of donkey-car mash-ups in recent months. He reports there have been none at all since January of 2009.

We have reliable anecdotal data of at least one incident this Fall where a donkey was struck and killed on the road.

Part of the problem with tracking the number of incidents may be that it is not part of the standard way HPD keeps statistics on accidents. I'll pursue this with Capt. Sanborn when he returns from his vacation. Meanwhile, I may be able to find out how many dead donkeys are removed by the DLNR from the road, as they have the responsibility for picking them up. As you know from reading this Blog, it is not easy to make contact with the DLNR.

Persistent Donkey Myth: Donkeys are Dying for Lack of Water

2009-11-30T11:22:00.000-10:00

It is very hard for our minds to wrap around the idea that the Waikoloa Nightingales don't need to be given water. Yes, they do need water, and sometimes it is harder for them to find. They should not be kept somewhere with no fresh water. According to THE PEACEFUL VALLEY DONKEY RESCUE, donkeys are so adapted to dry conditions that

Donkeys can tolerate water loss up to 30% of their body weight; they can replenish it in only 15 minutes of drinking.

Which brings us to the question of what does a donkey weigh? To determine that, we need to know, how tall is the donkey? Stay tuned for factoids.

Meanwhile, let's review:

MWN is working on ways to help the donkeys for the long term. Join us, we need you.

USHS Brings Resources to the Donkeys

2009-11-25T12:01:00.000-10:00

U.S. Humane Society now has their Veterinary Director in touch with two Island vets; a very good thing. This is the third specialist the U.S. Humane Society has involved in the project to safely manage the herds.

Waikoloa Village Association is building a fence to protect its golf course and planning to capture many donkeys to keep them out of people's yards. Since donkeys will walk a fence to the end, this presents a challenge. The HelCo "powerline" road is an example of a long, sturdy, well maintained fence that just ends abruptly. The donkeys go along it and around the end.

The concern is that no donkeys be harmed, that they find suitable homes, and that males be gelded before being released somewhere else on the Island.

WVA Manager's Plan

2009-11-20T16:06:00.000-10:00

This is the document regarding donkeys written and handed out by WVA General Manager at the November 18, 2009 WVA Talk Story. It gives background and the current plan. We've come a long way from where the plan was to "turn over" the donkeys to "DLNR." Great news!

Best News Yet

2009-11-19T13:33:00.000-10:00

At the WVA talk story last night, manager Jim Whillock distributed a plan to protect WVA resources while securing the safety of donkeys. WVA is taking advantage of consulting with the US Humane Society.

Thank you everyone who has been supportive of Malama Waikoloa Nightingales from day one to today. Please continue to care and be ready to help if we can to prevent donkeys and cars from their collision course on Waikoloa Road.

Donkeys in the News Again

2009-11-17T09:00:00.000-10:00

The Star Bulletin ran an interview with Jim Whillock and Pete Hoffmann today.

It is good to hear he means the best.

WVA Talk Story is Back On for the 18th

2009-11-10T15:26:00.000-10:00

The WVA Talk Story has been re-posted on the WVA website, after being previously cancelled. This is good news and we hope to hear the positive plans WVA is making for donkeys.
Click the image to see the new announcement

Euthanasia Last Resort

2009-11-09T16:26:00.000-10:00

I have been assured by the WVA Manager that the WVA will only kill donkeys once other alternatives have been exhausted and there are still donkeys left, around the village. And other alternatives are being sought.

While euthanasia is now Plan B instead of Plan A, it is disturbing that it is part of the plan at all.

How long does the capture go on? How many? Dunno.

Thank you everyone who helped bring about this change of view.

Waikoloa Donkeys in the News – Again!

2009-11-06T15:37:00.000-10:00

Great News!

The Waikoloa Nigtingales are covered on the front page of today's West Hawaii Today. The WVA manager says no one wants to kill a single donkey. I thank everyone who has contacted the Board and the Manager, and, hope you will let them know of your ongoing interest over the coming weeks and months. A gentle reminder to keep it respectful, please.

An incorrect statement is made in the article: "Since the Waikoloa Village Association announced at its board meeting its plans to build a corral, rumors have run rampant, erroneously stating that the association wants to euthanize the donkeys or give them to someone -- including DLNR -- who will, Whillock said." The correct situation is since the the WVA Manager announced it had arranged to turn over donkeys to the DLNR, and that it didn't know exactly where the donkeys would go after that, that truth was emailed by me to friends and acquaintances in Waikoloa. Lots of people at the meeting heard this. Only after that email, and subsequent events, did the WVA Manager say he wasn't going to turn over the donkeys to the DLNR. In fact, the Manager had not spoken to the DLNR. Further, there would have been no ranchers come forward with adoption offers if it had not been in the newspaper. Thank you for noting this clarification of the series of events.

WVA Talk Story Cancelled

2009-11-04T18:27:00.000-10:00

The WVA has decided to cancel the talk story for members on November 18th. Our manager demanded I put all the worms back in the can today or he would cancel the talk story.

You may click the image below to see the original invitation to "talk donkeys."

UPDATE ON WORRISOME NEWS

2009-11-04T09:15:00.000-10:00

This is turning into a more hopeful situation every day. People are becoming aware that an "urgent" problem does not require a "drastic" solution. Actually, we are "re"turning to a hopeful situation.

We have the forces of the US Humane Society and Representative Cindy Evans office working to contact the right level personnel at the Division of Land and Natural Resources. Once we break through that curtain, we will begin to have much more factual information on plans, if any, the DLNR has. This will include what methods they plan to use with the donkeys.

We'll get an update on the number of accidents involving donkeys on Waikoloa Road from the Hawaii County PD at the next South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee (SKTSC) meeting on November 10, 4 PM in Waimea.

Action Request

2009-11-02T19:32:00.000-10:00

A good deal of community networking is going on right now. This is SUPER GOOD NEWS!

We are asking YOU to contact Board members and voice your concern. Ask that plans to capture and turn animals over to the DLNR be suspended until there is a full and complete effort made to prevent harm to the donkeys. You'll find emails and phones for members of the WVA Board at WVA Board Contacts

Please, when contacting the WVA, remember Board members are community leaders and volunteers who work hard and have good intentions.

MAHALO TO ALL who have contacted us with their concerns and efforts on behalf of the donkeys. The immediate focus needs to be on having the Waikoloa Village Association halt plans to catch and turn over donkeys to State DLNR Wildlife Management.

Meanwhile, Malama Waikoloa Nightingales is working to make contact with someone at DLNR Wildlife Management to learn what they have been planning, as we do not know. The public has a right and a need to know and we will find out.

Long Term Donkey Population Management

2009-11-02T19:18:00.000-10:00

We've had discussions here locally with two representatives of the US Humane Society (at a national level, not local.) One was their national Urban Wildlife Director. With the USHS we are exploring long term, humane methods of curtailing the growth of herds so it does not exceed the shrinking amount of grazing land available to them.

The details are complex and the costs high, but there is some possibility of getting something done to try to dramatically slow the growth of the herds. It is a long term project of major proportions.

Meanwhile, the USHS has recommended that after donkeys are lured to the corral by gentle means, the males be gelded before being released. (Previously, when donkeys were removed from the Hualalai resort area and moved to Waikoloa, they were not gelded.)

All of this has also been discussed with a large-animal vet here on the Island, so someone who is knowledgeable about equine matters is providing lots of expertise.

I'll revisit this subject in a future post.

Troubling News

2009-10-29T14:06:00.000-10:00

At the Waikoloa Village Association Board Meeting on October 27, the Board approved funds for building a fence and corrals to keep donkeys off the WVA golf course and to catch and remove the donkeys from in and around the Village. The problem is considered urgent and they are moving forward rapidly.

The Worrisome News
The WVA has arranged for the DLNR (Hawaii Division of Land and Natural Resources)to move the donkeys by some method, unknown to me, and to a location unknown to anyone. Details on the method of movement and the location are lacking. Answering my question of where the donkeys will be moved, the response was of the "Don't ask, you don't want to know" variety.

There is no reason to believe DLNR will do anything more than dispose of the donkeys, that is, kill them. The DLNR has never to our knowledge relocated any feral animals. They kill bothersome feral animals.

The DLNR does not publicly announce most of their plans to kill feral animals. Thus the public will not know.

This is not to say we don't want to work with the DLNR, we do.

We are working to get more information from both the DLNR and WVA. We have many concerns about the safety conditions in the corrals, in transportation safety and in euthanasia methods.

Regular readers will recall, the solution to keeping donkeys off Waikoloa Road are 1) Building a strong corral and luring the donkeys in with food, 2) moving donkeys, and 3) having a safe place to put them.

Malama Waikoloa Nightingales is recommending to the WVA Board that the corrals be built close to WVA open space above the Village. We recommend the jacks (male donkeys) be gelded before release. From there, donkeys could be moved to fenced WVA open space above the Village. This option has been discussed with the WVA before, but is not now under consideration. MLM is also asking the Board to state that no donkeys will be killed.

Have New Sightings?

2009-10-26T17:22:00.000-10:00

We've heard from the WVA staff that there may be more than two or three dozen donkeys now surrounding (and within) Waikoloa itself. These donkeys do have access to Waikoloa Road. If you have reports of donkey sightings of donkeys OUTSIDE fenced areas, please report the number of donkeys, time, date, and location to Malama Waikoloa Nightingales.

ORCall Anika Glass (808)937-2309

Waikoloa Nightingales in the News

2009-09-10T16:27:00.000-10:00

Examiner.com article by Barbara DeGrande, September 10, 2009. (this article no longer available.)

Big Island Weekly Article, September 9, 2009.

"A Darker View" Waikoloa Nightingale Donkeys, October 8 – May 14, 2009.

West Hawaii Today Article, December 12, 2009.

Star Bulletin Article November 17, 2009.

West Hawaii Today Article, November 6, 2009.

West Hawaii Today Article, December 12, 2008.

Honolulu Advertiser Article, February 26, 2003

Star Bulletin Article, January 3, 2003.

Honolulu Advertiser Article, October 6, 2002.

Back in 2003 they'd been working 8 YEARS to relocate 30 donkeys from Hualalai, with no success. No one knows for sure where they went, but they were not killed.

Links move around, especially with newspaper mergers, so if something is not working, kindly email waikoloanightingale@gmail.com to let me know.

Please Donʻt Water the Donkeys

2009-08-30T11:42:00.000-10:00

Several people have let me know they are providing water to the donkeys, or want to.

Please do not provide them water. Honestly, they just don't need it. Providing water draws them closer to the Waikoloa streets and homes.

They are thriving, that is part of the problem! With less food and water, their fecundity would be reduced.

If they are coming in your yard to drink from your birdbath (at least two people are having this problem), I suggest you do not put water in your birdbath for a while. If you find the presence of donkeys in your yard undesirable, I recommend a strong fence, constructed within the guidelines of County laws and the Waikoloa Village Association covenants.

If you have the means to provide constantly-available water, food, and some shade for 3 dozen donkeys a short distance from town and roads, please let us know! That is one third of the solution to the problem of moving them. Another third is a place to put them, and I have a potential place for that. The final third, is moving them.

STATUS There Will (Always) Be Donkeys On Waikoloa Road

2009-08-05T09:00:00.000-10:00

Malama Waikoloa Nightingales is currently at a standstill.

The only way to capture the donkeys for return to fenced areas is to set up a corral and lure them with tasty donkey bait. Even if there were money to accomplish this, there might not be skilled people willing to implement it.

Until there we find someone willing to describe how to build a corral and how much it costs and what it takes to moves donkeys from the corral a short distance to a fenced location, there is not a great deal more we can do.

We'll continue to provide information and take sightings, and keep our (donkey) ears open for possible new ideas.

After a wide community effort, it appears that the donkeys that escaped fencing will continue to remain outside fencing and have access to Waikoloa Road. The last time anyone got a good look, several jennies were pregnant, so there will be more, soon. (Mating is a year-round, not seasonal, process.)

We regret we cannot find a solution at this time. We spoke with ranchers, our (famed, local) large-animal vet, bureaucrats, elected officials, land owners, animal rights groups, and a whole bunch of other people.

We made a final report to the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee that includes the details. This was forwarded to the Mayor's office, along with a thank you letter, by the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee.

No one is required to keep the donkeys off the road. Landowners are not legally responsible for feral animals on their land. Hawaii County is not required to mitigate the hazard beyond putting up warning signs.

Round-ups proved problematic: donkeys don't behave like cattle and sheep. Valuable, trained horses risk injury on the uneven, rocky terrain.

STATUS Why Won't the DLNR Take Care of the Donkeys?

2009-07-23T19:00:00.000-10:00

While the State Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Wildlife and Fisheries Management Division technically can take responsibility for feral animals, they cannot help us with our mission. (See "About" to the right of this page.) Our mission includes concern "about the safety of both people and donkeys."

Contact with DLNR was made by other Malama Waikoloa Nightingales stakeholders, including the County of Hawaii, where they received a run-around. ("The person who does that is new so we can't send him out or let you talk to him." "New" meant several months. "We don't have enough money."

We did not invite DLNR to solve the problem because DLNR's mission is to protect native species. If species were threatened, the first choice of DLNR has historically been a public hunt, followed by an aerial slaughter.

The DLNR's last method of choice is fencing. Fencing IN the endangered species, fencing OUT the feral animals. Thanks to the efforts of the Waikoloa Village Outdoor Circle, several of Waikoloa's endangered trees on WVA property are protected from goats, by fencing. (Mahalo, WVOC!)

DLNR usually does not publicize their events except for public hunts. For example, they killed feral animals (pigs and goats) on Mauna Kea earlier thisd year, with no notice to the public. Typically they leave the animals in place to rot.

Not to raise undue alarm about public safety, given the proximity of homes and unexploded ordinance, the DLNR would not likely dispose of the donkeys by hunting. Similarly, given the proximity to homes, they would not likely to leave the carcasses to rot (as they have done after aerial hunts of cattle). However, Mamalahoa Waikoloa Nightingales thinks it unlikely DLNR would announce to the general public exactly what is going on.

For Your Own Safety, Please Don't Harrass the Donkeys

2009-07-20T16:28:00.000-10:00

While donkeys are not particularly aggressive, they will respond if they feel threatened. Jennies (female donkeys) are especially protective of their young. Donkeys may warn you with hissing, baring of teeth and stomping when they want you to back off. Donkeys have a very powerful kick that could definitely cause serious injury, so don't provoke them.

Remember, animals respond to perceived threats, which may not be actual threats. Keep your pets and children within fenced areas of your yard.

Donkey Myth: Our Donkeys are Kona Nightingales

2009-07-05T15:33:00.001-10:00

Here is a video from Big Island Vieo News of Kona Nightingales in the Hilo zoo; you can observe they are smaller and fuzzier than the donkeys that call Waikoloa home. The Kona donkeys would be called a "burro" in many parts of the world.

Lots of people tell me that the donkeys on the road are a living heritage and must be preserved because they are Kona Nightingales.

Well, these Waikoloa donkeys are living, do have heritage, and are worthy of our care and concern. They just aren't "Kona Nightingales."

Kona Nightingales have a historical connection to Kona coffee farms. Many families owned one or more. Once there were roads and people had some money for cars or trucks, donkeys were released to fend for themselves, freeing their owners from the responsibility of providing food and water.

STATUS Looking for Funding and/or Volunteer Rancher

2009-06-24T14:01:00.000-10:00

We are working to identify one knowledgeable individual who can and will plan details of round up.

After that, we may be seeking funding, as ranchers are reluctant. Some just don't want to be involved, but that can change with persistence.

May need to call on all members to bring our support to bear upon the efforts, which are nearly stalled.

STATUS Donkey Update

2009-06-19T07:32:00.000-10:00

Met with leading local vet and respected local rancher. Best approach is a round up by paniolo on horseback with dogs who are used for herding. Depending on who we can find to do the job (no volunteers yet) it may take two attempts over a period of time. The donkeys may need to be tempted into and then held briefly in a holding station, a corral, until they can be moved. They will be fed and watered, if so.

**note: later determined that round up is not feasible, just leading to corral with food and water.)**

**note: still later learned that a corral with a trail of special bait may be all that is needed to attract donkeys to a particular area.

We've found where we can put them and where we can't. (Have not mapped it yet.)

There is ample natural food and water mauka to support these donkeys that escaped.

Have spoken with Mayor's Office, Public Works, DLNR, Fire, Police, Humane Society, the vet, several ranchers, potential volunteer groups. Have considered several alternatives.

Most feasible solution is moving donkeys (and it's best for the donkeys.)

Donkey Myth: Donkeys Are Indigenous Hawaiian Animals.

2009-06-16T12:21:00.000-10:00

Donkeys were introduced to the Island of Hawaii by immigrants to the Islands who found them useful as beasts of burden, especially for farming and ranching work.

Donkeys were introduced to the Waikoloa area starting with 30 in 1975. There is lore about who moved donkeys, when and where, but it mostly conflicts and isn't going to turn up a likely party to help correct the situation.

There are now about 250 donkeys on the 20,000 acres between Waikoloa and Kamuela because they thrive in exactly the environment they have on this slope of Mauna Kea. They have adequate food and water, from nature, and their hooves need the lava rocks for grooming.

Donkey Myth: They Need More Water

2009-06-10T16:27:00.000-10:00

Many people think the fenced donkeys above the village are provided water. They are not. And that's okay.

There is plenty of water for donkeys all the way from here up to the Mamalahoa Highway. There are streams and oases.

Donkeys get most of their water from the grasses they eat, even the dried ones. Their digestive systems are especially good at extracting nutrition and water from what looks to us like poor feed.

Why Did the Donkeys Cross the Road

2009-06-05T20:57:00.000-10:00

To get to the other side.

I do get questions on donkey behavior (yes, including this one). I think it is safe to say that donkeys just go where their little donkey brains send them.

Browsing is a donkey characteristic: they are not always eating. (They have slow metabolisms.) They do remember where they found what they liked, and will return to it. They do follow their own trails. But they also just mosey around. Going downhill is easier than going uphill, 'eh?

Why do they just stop and stand in the middle of the road? Well a donkey spends a large part of each day standing and it has to do it somewhere.

What a donkey does, when posed with an unknown and possible threat, is stand and assess. They can do this for a long time. They will look you head-on in the road, in your driveway, in your back yard, anywhere. They are just going to stare you down.

Let them. The choice you are asking the donkey to make is, "Do I turn and run, or do I charge and kick." The donkey will make this decision, not you. Why press your luck?

STATUS 24 – 36 donkeys outside of fence, with access to road.

2009-06-02T15:00:00.000-10:00

There are between two and three dozen feral donkeys outside of secure fencing, located around Waikoloa Village, according to reports and guesstimates. Looking for people who can determine scope of work to move the donkeys into fenced lands. These are likely the donkeys that escaped last year when the fence gaps were discovered and subsequently repared.

These outside-the-fence donkeys do have direct access to Waikoloa Road and have been spotted both above and below the Village, outside of fencing, on or near Waikoloa Road.

STATUS Fences Repaired, But Continue to Exercise Cation, They Can & Wll Get Out.

2009-05-20T06:48:00.000-10:00

Although the area above Waikoloa Road is now fenced, much of it is old fence. Donkeys can knock down fencing; and even get through fence where just one wire is broken, if they feel threatened. As a reminder to motorists, there will always be some donkeys on Waikoloa Road, so drive with extra caution, especially at dawn and dusk. The S curve mauka of Waikoloa is the most problematic area.

Donkey Myth: There is Great Demand for Donkeys

2009-05-15T13:34:00.000-10:00

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 with maybe 30 that 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.

Waikoloa Donkeys in the News

2009-05-15T11:13:00.000-10:00

Andrew Cooper, Waikoloa, author of the spectacular Blog "A Darker View", has posted three times about the donkeys he sees on his frequent commutes to the top of Mauna Kea where he works for Keck. "A Darker View" Waikoloa Nightingale Donkeys

STATUS Fences are now secure.

2009-05-12T13:48:00.000-10:00

Completed fence survey and patches have been made. We now have donkeys that are "in" and donkeys that are "out". Determining how many are out and where they are located.

The County of Hawaii assisted by inspecting 9 miles of fencing. Public Works and the Fire Department repaired a gap in one of the fences. Landowners made some repairs. Waikoloa residents pitched in.

New Members!

2009-05-04T19:07:00.000-10:00

Response to keeping the donkeys safely off Waikoloa Road been overwhelmingly positive! Supporters come from all over the Island not just Waikoloa.
The fence survey is nearing completion.

Meanwhile, here is last Decemberʻs article in West Hawaii Today.

STATUS Fences inspected

2009-04-22T13:28:00.000-10:00

With help from an exceptional individual from Hawai'i County, hiked about 9 miles of fences.

In February, March and April we found one puka where donkeys had previously gotten out. The landowner promptly fixed it at their own expense!

We saw where the Fire Department fixed a small puka in the fence, late last December; a very nice job.

We have seen a lot of new and newly repaired fencing that is likely proving a big help.

We are trying to get access to search some hard-to-get-to places to be sure fencing is OK.

Waikoloa Donkeys in the News

2009-04-15T16:48:00.000-10:00

Donkeys on Waikoloa Road have been a problem on and off for years, but incidents increased markedly starting in October of 2008. Check out this
West Hawaii Today article.