Public Talk on Nēnē’s Recovery in Hanalei Thursday

Two nēnē are seen here at Kapa‘a New Town Park with the Sleeping Giant mountain on the background.

The Kaua‘i Nēnē Habitat Conservation Plan will hold the first in a series of public talks this week on the state bird of Hawai‘i, the endangered Nēnē.

Project Coordinator Dr. Christian Vlautin will provide information about the Hawaiian goose’s ecology and recovery on Kaua‘i at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei Community Center at 5299 Kuhio Highway.

By the mid 1950s, human presence had reduced Nēnē numbers statewide to 50 individuals. After many years of diligent conservation efforts, the population of the near-extinct Nēnē is growing on Kaua‘i, and they are starting to live in areas they have not been for hundreds of years.

Because of their unique position in the environment, Nēnē are protected by federal and state laws that prohibit actions that may hurt, harm, harass or otherwise alter their natural behaviors.

Two nēnē cruise at Kapa‘a New Town Park.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife and the Nēnē HCP staff is meeting with residents and businesses throughout Kaua‘i seeking input on residents’ experiences with Nēnē on Kaua’i. This is an opportunity to learn general nēnē knowledge and details about their history and biology. All are welcome to learn and share thoughts.

Future meetings will specifically address any concerns citizens may have about how the nēnē may impact the social, economic or farming communities on privately owned lands on Kaua‘i’s North Shore.

DOFAW and the KN HCP are working to address any issues related to nēnē conflicts with agriculture, public safety and private property on Kaua‘i, and to support the conservation and recovery of the nēnē.

Members of the public are encouraged to contact the KN HCP regarding their thoughts or questions about Kaua‘i’s Nēnē by clicking the “Tell us your thoughts about Kaua‘i’s Nēnē” at http://kauainenehcp.com or by emailing info@kauainenehcp.com.