Yes, you have it straight with that one clarification.

Is paint-balling the wildlife common practice elsewhere? I’m totally oblivious, if so. Will Google and make phone calls to follow-up on this when I can get a chance.

BTW, I am all for maintaining WVVA assets as a member of this Association. It is the primary purpose of WVA to protect our assets so as to enhance our home values. The golf course is the most expensive asset and we need to manage appropriately. Keeping donkeys from tearing it up is certainly important and a fence would or will prevent this.

Call/email me any time you want an update on Waikoloa Donkeys.You know I pester you when you print unverified emails without any investigation on your part. Your journalistic talents make you very capable to do this, to the extent you have time. We can go off line on this.

Aloha, James

Donkeys fare poorly on the wet side. They get severe hoof and skin diseases from the wetness; they do die from either of these diseases. Here in Waikoloa, the donkeys get their hooves ‘trimmed’ by climbing on the hard lava. If you have someone with need for a pair of “neutered”donkeys with a very large pasture (or food and water) on the dry side, let Jim Whillock know. He wants to find homes.

Aloha, All

Malama Waikoloa Nightingales is working with the US Humane Society on a national level to pursue donkey sterilization and contraception. It’s a process, takes time but might work out. Stay tuned to details at http://malama-waikoloa-nightingales.blogspot.com/.The USHS is also going to help the WVA and others arrange for neutering of any donkeys that are simply re-located.

As to how I got the impression that the WVA was going to capture and turn over donkeys to the DLNR:i I, and a good number of others, heard for the first time at a WVA Board Meeting that the agenda item “fence golf course” meant building corrals for goats and donkeys. After capturing the donkeys, they were to be “turned over to the DLNR.”

Well, I asked what the DLNR would do with the donkeys, I got one of those “don’t ask you don’t want to know” looks They were described as “going north.” Afterwards, I got personal assurances from a few of the board members the donkeys would be handled humanely. (A word with broad interpretation.) I was asked to provide an alternative and I did so promptly. There was no reply, not even “we got your email, thanks, we’re thinking about it.” As http://malama-waikoloa-nightingales.blogspot.com/ has noted, we do not want to involve the DLNR with Donkey care; nor to they want to get involved. DLNR will take animals that can be moved for hunting (like goats) but doesn’t want to be known as a place for shooting donkeys.

Sure enough, The WVA had not spoken recently with the DLNR and the whole thing was news to them. At the Board Meeting, Manager Jim Whillock recited all the things I had done to reduce the donkey-human interface. (Hiking 9 miles, arranging with land owners to make fence repairs, interviewing two ranchers, and a wide ranging interview with a renowned large animal vet, and multiple meetings with the South Kohala Traffic Safety Committee and the WVA. The WVA had a minimal role in my research but was the beficiary of it. I figured the WVA would have the “relatively” deep pockets, or just pockets, to overcome the obsticle that had stopped me, once the donkeys got on the golf course. Well they do, and took it a step or two further! It’s the WVA’s right.
Tiff, again,

I learned the right method of gathering donekeys into a corral but there was no one who could/would estimate building such a corral and moving donkeys a short distance to fenced land. I knew the WVA was having significant donkey difficulties when I had to toss in the towel for the short term. I figured, like a fool, that when the WVA was ready to use my research, I would be contacted to assist in consulting on methods and to take advantge of my expertise. I offered my services. I feel quite naive now!

The WVA does not plan to reveal any of the methods used to capture, store, castrate males, shade, move, feed and water donkeys to their new homes. Other owners have tried and Jim complained that there was no way he could brief members on details. No information is available on how many donekys per corral, how long they will be kept in corral, whether males and females (Jacks and Jennies) will be corraled together, if Jennies and Joeys (the keiki) will be separated, the qualifications of those handling donkeys and how long the trapping will go on. I supspect indefinitely, or at least sporatically. If you, Tiffany, can get Jim Whillock to detial the plan, that would be SUPER!

Meanwhile, the USHS is working with the WVA and other land owners to see what can be done humanely to limit herd growth, ad see that they are properly cared for.USHS Equine experts and the Director of Urban Wildlife, plus the Honolulu State director are all working to see what is possible. Cindy Evans office has been remarkably helpful with research, and expecially in contacting DLNR, which is notoriously unwilling to talk and definitely does not announce most of it’s plans – such as for aerial shooting of goats, pigs, and cattle.

That is the best news, and I am sure hoping it works.

I would appreciate it if people would get their facts straight before spreading damaging and false rumors.

I can be reached at 808-895-7102 for further TRUE information.

Jim Whillock