Posted on: Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Nene signs at national park stolen
By Kevin Dayton
Advertiser Big Island Bureau
HILO, Hawai'i — The National Park Service is asking for the public's help in recovering two "Nene Crossing" signs recently stolen from Crater Rim Drive near the Kilauea Overlook in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
National Park Service photo A nene family, two parents and two goslings, has frequented the area since April, grazing on 'Ohelo and pukiawe berries. Goslings cannot fly for the first three to four months of life. During the same time, adult nene are also earthbound for several weeks as they undergo their annual molt, a process that replaces used feathers with new ones.
"For a nene family, crossing a busy road like Crater Rim Drive is a harrowing experience," said park biologist Kathleen Misajon. "The theft increases their risk of becoming roadkill."
The signs can be turned in at the park's Kilauea Visitor Center or Jaggar Museum, no questions asked, parks officials stated.
Anyone with information can call Park Ranger John Broward at 985-6036.
Reach Kevin Dayton at 808 935-3916 or at kdayton@honoluluadvertiser.com. Correction: Pukiawe was misspelled in a previous version of this story.
The large, metal, yellow-and- black road signs feature a graphic of a tiny gosling standing alongside an adult nene, and are needed to help slow down passing traffic to protect the endangered geese, parks officials said.
The National Park Service is asking for the public's help in recovering two "Nene Crossing" signs recently stolen from Crater Rim Drive near the Kilauea Overlook in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.
