Nēnē Nesting Season Begins at Haleakalā

Nene sign at Haleakala National Park. Photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

Officials at Haleakalā National Park are asking for the public’s help in protecting the endangered Hawaiian goose or nēnē as they prepare for the upcoming nesting season.

Park officials say nēnē pairs are frequenting roadside areas and parking lots outside and inside the park in preparation for nesting and rearing their young.

This behavior is expected to continue throughout the nesting season which ends in April.

Park visitors are reminded to obey posted speed limits and exercise caution while driving in the park and surrounding areas.

Motorists are asked to be especially mindful of the nēnē during inclement weather when conditions may impair road visibility, especially during the winter months.

The park has a population estimate of about 250 nēnē.

On average, there has been one nēnē road fatality per year during the nesting season, according to park officials.

Park officials thanked drivers in advance for obeying the law and keeping Maui’s nēnē safe.