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Section Of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park Closed For Nēnē Nesting

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Compiled from NPS releases

Published Date

November 14, 2024
A pair of nesting nēnē has led to a temporary closure at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park/NPS

A pair of nesting nēnē has led to a temporary closure at Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. This pregnant goose was photographed through binoculars/NPS

A section of Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park has been temporarily closed to give nesting nēnē some peace and quiet away from humans.

The east entrance to Uēkahuna parking lot and a short section of Crater Rim Trail were closed to protect the breeding pair.

No parking stalls are closed for now, and the west entrance to the parking lot will serve as both entrance and exit. However, large motorcoaches (buses 26 feet or more) will not be able to access the Uēkahuna parking lot because there is no place to turn around. 

The temporary closure also includes a short section of Crater Rim Trail east of the parking lot, effective immediately. The eastern overlook of Kīlauea caldera at the landmark USGS triangulation station remains open, with the closest access by foot from Kīlauea Overlook.  

The portable toilets and western overlook of Kīlauea caldera remain open and accessible from the Uēkahuna parking lot. 

“Safeguarding native wildlife is part of our mission at Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park,” said the park’s wildlife biologist, Dr. Kristina Paxton. “Nēnē are very vulnerable to being killed by vehicles, and this partial closure improves their chances for survival.” 

Nēnē usually mate for life. The female incubates two to five eggs while the male guards the family. Incubation takes about a month, and re-nesting could occur if eggs are destroyed or abandoned. 

Nesting season is September through May and many nēnē are seen on or near park roads, making them especially vulnerable to being killed by vehicles this time of year. Everyone can help protect nēnē: slow down, watch for them near roads, and never feed them. Keep wildlife wild and stay at least 60 feet from them. 

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