Where else might you find a news headline lamenting the death of a goose? Only in Hawaii.
In the Honolulu dailies on New Year’s Eve, while many in the rest of the country were preparing geese for their New Year’s family feasts, there appeared the shocking and depressing news that a car had struck and killed a nene goose in Haleakala National Park on Maui. An immediate alarm went up calling for park visitors to drive cautiously and avoid feeding the endangered animals.
Nene have been struck and killed by motorists before, about once a year on average. Having even one hit is a huge loss, particularly if it’s one of a breeding pair. (The goose struck on New Year’s Eve was a breeding adult.)
Haleakala National Park is home to about 250 nene, half of which are known to breed each year. The nene, or Hawaiian goose, is an endangered species on state and federal listings. It’s also the Hawaii state bird. During your vacation in the islands, you can see nene not only near Haleakala, but also on the Big Island of Hawaii. Though you can find nene in many other places on the island, the largest concentration of wild birds is in and around the Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park in Volcano. Nene are inquisitive birds and their protected status means they have lost some fear of humans. They will often stroll over to check out some activity they feel threatens their space. They can be loud, making an unmistakable honk as they fly or as they are socializing. Be advised that it is unlawful to touch, feed, harass, or chase the nene. They are protected and every nene is banded.
There now are fewer than 800 nene geese left in the state, and this is the only place where they live. Several characteristics help to make them unique: Their feet are longer than other geese. They have a shorter wing span, and they nest during the winter. Their toenails are longer and stronger than those of other geese. The pads on their feet are thicker because of the habitat in which they live. They can be found in places that are 4,000 feet above sea level such as in the mountains, on volcano slopes, and in craters. The nene became endangered due to hunting, and to predators such as mongooses, dogs and cats. In the late 1950s, because of concern that the nene would become extinct, efforts were undertaken to try to protect the species and the nene now are making a comeback thanks to their protected status and serious efforts to repopulate the species.
Today,the largest predators of the nene are … well, cars. At Haleakala National Park, officials warn visitors not to feed nene because the birds learn to approach cars rather than flee from them.
So the rule is to look but not touch. And remember: If you should accidentally knock one off, it could make headlines.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
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January 2nd, 2009
A lot of people who come to Hawaii expect to see rare, tropical birds cruising the malls, hovering in the trees and swooping from the ridges. Sorry. You may have seen that in a movie, but it doesn’t actually ever happen here. There are “bird guys” wandering around in Waikiki and stationed in the International Market Place who have exotic birds on their shoulders and on perches with whom you can have your picture taken, but don’t expect a wild parrot to land on your towel on the beach.
Eagles, hawks and owls are around and can be seen occasionally, if you happen to be looking in the right direction. (You will be looking around a lot while you’re here because there’s so much to see.)
Yes, we have our parrots and cockatoos, but they generally hang out where you aren’t likely to spot them and you surely won’t be able to get up close and personal. Some arboretums and reserves keep them available for your at-a-distance scrutiny, and there actually are guided birding tours on Oahu, Kauai, Maui and the Big Island of Hawaii. The state bird, the Nene Goose, likes the Volcano area on the Big Island, and you can see one there, maybe. (It’s a goose.)
Most of the birds we see every day are pretty ordinary.
And we have our pests, as you do. Pigeons and doves hang out where visitors accumulate, especially around the food concessions, and THEY WANT YOU TO FEED THEM! It’s okay if you feed them, but that’s why they’re pests. Lots of our homes are on the water. Ducks have learned that kids like to feed ducks. We discourage our kids from feeding ducks because it’s hard to get rid of them (the ducks) after they’re fed. Duck are real pests with the noise they make and the deposits they leave behind when they finally leave.
Egrets are white and pretty. They look a little like small swans. They hang out on the backs of cattle – horses and cows. They also make their ways into residential neighborhoods and pick at newly-mowed lawns and common areas for the bugs their cousins are plucking from the backs of horses and cows.
All in all, we don’t get too excited about birds in Hawaii. If you’re a birder and would be excited by the 300 or so species we have doing their things on our islands, give us a call (1-800-843-8771) or pick an agent on our Web site home page (hawaii-aloha.com). We’ll fix you up with experts who will take you to where you can see and film or tape the ones that fascinate you most.
By the way. No robins. We don’t need them to tell us when spring is here. Spring feels a whole lot like winter and summer and fall in Hawaii.
December 9th, 2008
Here’s a pretty amazing fact: More than ten thousand species of plants and animals reside in Hawaii, and nine thousand of them don’t live anywhere else in the world! Unfortunately, an alarming number is considered endangered.
Hawaiian monk seals got their name because their round heads are covered with short hairs, making them look a little like medieval friars. They live mostly on Kauai, but they appear from time to time on Oahu and southeastern Hawaii, where they can be seen napping alone on secluded beaches. (Most seals like to hang out in crowds, but not these guys.) If you do see one, don’t approach it or try to attract its attention. When officials are made aware of one’s presence on a beach, yellow strips are set up to protect it from your curiosity.
The Hawaiian green sea turtle, at about three and a half feet in length, is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle in the world. They often climb out of the water onto beaches to bask in the sun. They seem to especially like the black-sand Punaluu Beach on the south shore of the Big Island. Don’t touch, if you see one! Your body oils can damage their shells.
The nene goose is the official state bird of Hawaii and the rarest goose in the world. While still endangered, the nene has bred well in captivity and has begun to proliferate again in the wild. Most of them are seen in and near Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island, where they can hang out among the wild turkeys, pheasants and peacocks.
Consider it good luck if and when you encounter one of those treasured creatures, but please keep your distance. We want to keep them around.
Posted by Jim Winpenny
July 14th, 2008
