UXO

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

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

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

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!

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

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

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.