Hosmer Grove Closed Due to Nesting Nēnē

Nēnē at Hosmer Grove. Photo courtesy NPS.

By Maui Now Staff

Hosmer Grove campground and trail will be closed until further notice to protect a family of nēnē that is nesting in the popular campground, Haleakalā National Park announced on Friday, Jan. 9.

After the family is relocated, Hosmer Grove will reopen. Resource managers did not have a timetable for the reopening.

“We apologize for any inconvenience to campers, but we have to protect the nēnē,” said Superintendent Natalie Gates. “Haleakalā National Park is about to celebrate its 100th birthday, and we need to remain committed to protecting our natural resources for future generations.”

Park staff sometimes move nesting nēnē families away from heavily used areas to protect the endangered birds and to avoid closing areas during nesting season. Relocation is one of numerous methods used to protect the birds.

Other methods include installing traffic calming devices, giving out free “Slow Down” postcards at the Summit Entrance Station, and working with rental car companies to post multilingual signs about driving cautiously through nēnē habitat.

“Driving cautiously is still the most important action every park visitor can take to protect these birds,” said Gates.