Zoo Maui to close; star giraffe to return to O'ahu

By Timothy Hurley
Advertiser Maui County Bureau

KULA, Maui — Makana the giraffe is going back home to the Honolulu Zoo.

Maui zoogoers have until Feb. 7 to see Makana the giraffe. After that, the financially strapped zoo will close. Advertiser library photo • Dec. 16, 1999

Zoo Maui Executive Director Wanda Riggs said the Kula facility and its small staff are unable to keep up with rising costs, a volunteer shortage and an "overwhelming workload."

"We're worn out trying to raise money," Riggs said. "We need extra funding, and we've tried everything."

Formerly known as Keiki Zoo Maui, the facility is home to about 100 animals, including nene, hawks, goats and other farm creatures, and a pueo, or Hawaiian owl. More than 8,000 people visited the zoo each year.

Riggs said the Zoo Crew mentoring program for youngsters will continue until the end of June, when a $13,000 county grant runs out.

The venture began when John and Malia Boteilho, Riggs' daughter, started a small zoo on their Kula property in 1992. A nonprofit was formed a year later.

At one time the zoo planned to expand to property near the former county zoo in Kahului, but that never happened. In the past few years, the zoo had set its sites on a Pukalani property and launched a $4 million capital campaign.

Makana, affectionally called Squirt by its handlers at the Honolulu Zoo, was shipped to Maui in March 2000, arriving to help soothe the pain felt by zoo officials here after a pair of giraffes obtained earlier from Moloka'i Ranch collapsed and died while they were being prepared for transport.

Riggs said the Honolulu Zoo has agreed to take Makana, and she's aiming for an April date for transport to O'ahu. Honolulu Zoo officials could not be contacted yesterday to comment.

Zoo Maui will be open its final day, Feb. 7, from noon to 3 p.m. It also will open from noon to 2 p.m. for the remaining Saturdays in January.

Reach Timothy Hurley at thurley@honoluluadvertiser.com or (808) 244-4880.