David Y. Ige

HANALEI – Once on the edge of extinction with only 50 birds remaining in the wild, it is today possible for Hawai‘i visitors and residents to see nēnē in the wild across Kaua‘i and the state thanks to conservation efforts, including captive breeding, that have worked to preserve these birds and re-establish them in their native habitat.  The nēnē or Hawaiian goose was officially designated Hawai‘i’s state bird on May 7, 1957, and in 2003, September 26th was officially designated Nēnē Awareness Day by Governor Linda Lingle.

Kaua‘i is celebrating Nēnē Awareness Day (September 26) with events hosted by the Department of Land and Natural Resources (DLNR), Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW), and the Kaua‘i Nēnē Habitat Conservation Plan (KNHCP).

On Saturday Sept. 24 at the Hanalei Community Center, learn about what makes our state bird the world’s rarest goose during the “Discover the Nēnē” presentation from 2 to 3 p.m.

There will also be a nēnē information table at the Ching Young Village Shopping Center in Hanalei on Sunday, Sept. 25 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Monday, Sept. 26 from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Help protect Hawai‘i’s native birds everyday by keeping your pets indoors, on leash, in a kennel, or in a fenced yard. Help keep nēnē wild by keeping your distance and never feeding them. Please observe speed limits and slow down for nēnē and their families. To report an injured or dead bird, please call the DLNR DOFAW Kaua‘i office at (808) 274-3433. For more information on these events, visit https://www.kauainenehcp.com/events.html or email [email protected].

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Media Contact:
Deborah Ward
DLNR Communications specialist
(808) 587-0320