To Mayor Mitch Roth of Hawaiʻi County,

The girls of Girl Scout Troop 26 of Hilo are very concerned about the recent deaths of nēnē along Kalanianaʻole Street in Keaukaha. 

The increasing number of nēnē fatalities due to vehicle collisions along Kalanianaʻole Street demand immediate action. Since 2022, at least eight nēnē have been killed by cars along the road. Current measures, such as nēnē crossing signs, are not effective at increasing driver awareness or protecting the birds, which are both federally and state-protected and hold significant cultural importance to native Hawaiians. 

Successful solutions exist and should be used to help save the Nēnē of Keaukaha. For example, Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park has implemented  robust education programs and increased signage, contributing significantly to wildlife protection and public awareness.

We ask the County of Hawaiʻi to:

·         Reevaluate speed limits, particularly in high-risk zones where nēnē crossings are frequent.

·         Introduce additional speed mitigation measures like speed tables and radar feedback signs to heighten driver awareness and adherence.

·         Consider the installation of wildlife crossings in critical sections of the road.

·         Enhance the effectiveness of existing nēnē crossing signs to ensure increased driver attentiveness.

The nēnē is a symbol of our cultural heritage and a vital part of our local ecosystem and community. It is our duty as residents of Hawaiʻi to conserve our natural environment and the animals that live there.

We ask the County of Hawaiʻi to take this petition into serious consideration. By taking decisive action, we can make our roads safer for all, including the nēnē.

Thank you for your attention to this urgent matter. Please help save the nēnē!