STAR-BULLETIN / 2004 Hawaii Volcanoes National Park officials are warning motorists to look out for nene trying to cross Highway 11. Last year, a total of five nene were killed by cars there.

---

Volcanoes park officials
warn of nene on roads

VOLCANO, Hawaii » Officials at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island are warning motorists about nene trying to cross the highway near the park.

Park Superintendent Cindy Orlando wants motorists to look out and slow down for the Hawaiian geese near the park's Kau boundary on Highway 11.

Twice this week, motorists have reported seeing a nene family of three, including a baby gosling, attempting to cross the highway near the 40-mile marker.

"This is our first gosling of the breeding season," park wildlife biologist Kathleen Misajon said.

Officials are concerned because motorists drive 55 mph on that stretch of the road. Two nene have already been killed this year on Highway 11, and one was killed inside the park on Crater Rim Drive. Last year, a total of five nene were killed by cars on Highway 11.

Misajon and two volunteers spent Friday morning putting up signs, depicting an adult nene and a gosling, to alert drivers to the birds' presence.

"If everyone takes extra care when driving through this area we can avoid a repeat of last year's tragedy," she said.