Department of Land and Natural Resources

DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES
News Release

DAVID Y. IGE GOVERNOR

SUZANNE D. CASE CHAIRPERSON

For Immediate News Release January 20, 2016   

PUBLIC TALK ON THE BIOLOGY, CONSERVATION
AND RECOVERY OF THE NĒNĒ, THE HAWAIIAN STATE BIRD

Hanalei, Hawai’i –The Kauai Nēnē Habitat Conservation Plan (KN HCP) will hold the first in a series of public talks next 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. on Thursday, January 28 at Hale Halawai ‘Ohana O Hanalei Community Center at 5299 Kuhio Highway.

By the mid 1950’s, 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 both federal and state laws that prohibit actions that may hurt, harm, harass or otherwise alter their natural behaviors.

The Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW)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 a great 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 the north shore. 

DOFAW and the KN HCP is working to address any issues related to Nēnē conflicts with agriculture, public safety, and private property on the Island of Kaua’i, and to support the conservation and recovery of the Nēnē. Members of the public are encouraged to contact the Kauai Nēnē HCP regarding their thoughts or questions about Kaua’i’s Nēnē by clicking the

“Tell us your thoughts about Kaua’i’s Nēnē” link at https://kauainenehcp.com

or by emailing [email protected].

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Media Contacts:

Christian Vlautin                                                                                           
Kauai Nēnē Habitat Conservation Plan
(808) 320-3191                                                                                                                     

Deborah Ward     
DLNR Communications specialist       
(808) 587-0320