Thursday, April 12, 2018

K is for Kona Nightingale

K – Kona Nightingale

Sweetly Sings The Donkey


When the Volcano's of Hawai'i were first farmed for Kona Coffee the rough volcanic lava made it  difficult to maneuver the heavy bags down the mountainside for processing. Since Donkeys were small, sure footed and easy to feed they were perfect for the job. Donkeys were brought to work the coffee farms of Kona in the early 1900's. These sure-footed little burros were ideal for coffee work, packing up to five hundred pounds of beans at a time on the steep slopes. They’re social animals, but many of the tiny family coffee farms had only one. At night the plaintive braying of lonely donkeys echoed up and down the mountain, singing their“nightingale” songs.

Soon better roads were built and farms were modernized Jeeps became available to the farmers after WWII and the Donkeys were no longer needed. Sadly some of the farmers decided the easiest answer was to just release them to fend for themselves. Eating grass that even the cows and goats would not eat.  As people filled up the land the Donkeys moved north to more open land.  Many survived in the Lava fields above Kona Airport and especially above Waikoloa Village.  


More and more people moved into the developing tourist area and the Donkeys became a problem. Tearing up lawns and sprinkler systems for food and water. Getting hit by cars was a danger for the Donkey as well as the Occupants of the Cars. Over the last few years the majority of the Wild Donkey Herd has been rounded up and adopted out here on Hawai'i  Island as well as 150 were sent to California.

There is still a very small herd of about 50 in the Waikoloa Area 
that are being maintained until adoptive homes can be found. 







I miss seeing the Donkeys as we drive down the mountain BUT, I do not miss having to slam on breaks as a Donkey appears out of the mist or Dark and runs across the road. 
Sad as it is to loose what seemed to be a part of Kona History it was best for all of them.  

SWEETLY SINGS THE DONKEY

Happily because of the relocation efforts the song of the 
"Kona Nightingale"
can still be heard 
on Hawai'i Island.





3 comments:

  1. Interesting history. THank you.

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  2. I hope they find adoptive folks soon. We've got working donkeys around here that carry loads from the jungles. It is fairly common to drive through a forest and see a man leading a donkey with a load of palm fronds or bamboo, on their way to a place to dry before they can be used.

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    Replies
    1. We always had a Donkey at our farm till moving to Hawaii. I love there PERSONILITY!!!

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