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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Thursday, September 25, 2008

KAHULUI
Take a gander at nene's future on awareness day

Several conservation groups and businesses are marking Nene Awareness Day tomorrow.

Hawai'i's state bird once numbered in the thousands and was found on all the Hawaiian islands. Habitat loss, predation by introduced animals, and overhunting caused the nene population to dwindle to only 30 birds by 1949.

Because of conservation efforts by public and private groups, there now are more than 2,000 nene in the wild on four islands.

The state Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Haleakala National Park and the Friends of Haleakala National Park will provide an information table and display at the Queen Ka'ahumanu Center from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Visitors to the national park can learn about the rare birds at a series of talks from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The Maui Bird Conservation Center in Olinda will host guided tours by reservation only, from 9:30 to 11 a.m. and noon to 1:30 p.m. Call 572-0690.