Bakersfield TV on the Donkeys' Safe Arrival in Tehatchpi

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

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

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

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. 

Donkeys can Fly!

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.

Donkeys in the News!

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

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.

45 Attend Waikoloa Community Donkey Forum

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

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.

"Don't be Cruel"

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

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.

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.

Donkeys in the VIDEO News!

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.

County Considering "Strieter-Lites" for Waikoloa Road

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."

Persistent Donkey Myth: Donkeys are Dying for Lack of Water

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:

• June 10 Blog – Donkey Myth: Donkeys Need More Water. 
• August 30 Post – Please Don't Water the Donkeys.
  

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

Donkeys in the News Again

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

It is good to hear he means the best.

Waikoloa Donkeys in the News – Again!

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

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."

Waikoloa Nightingales in the News

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.