Toxoplasmosis, an infection spread only in the feces of feral cats, is likely what killed a nēnē gosling in Liliʻuokalani Park and Gardens last month.

The DLNR Division of Forestry and Wildlife (DOFAW) sent the diseased bird to the United States Geological Survey (USGS) National Wildlife Health Center for a necropsy (animal autopsy).

Raymond McGuire, the DOFAW biologist who collected the gosling and sent it to the lab to determine cause of death, said nēnē have particularly strong familial bonds and there’s one thing about this gosling’s death that is especially sad. The gosling’s mother, tagged as NTC, was the same bird that had another chick taken from her by a woman at Hilo park in March, 2023.

In a press release DLNR Chair Dawn Chang said, “This tragic incident highlights the problem of having feral cat colonies in areas that are known habitat for endangered or threatened species. Toxoplasmosis, or ʻtoxo’ for short, according to the USGS, continues to be the chief cause of death for infectious diseases for nēnē and critically endangered Hawaiian monk seals. We must keep cats out of native wildlife habitats or we’re likely to see more deaths among Hawai‘i’s State Bird population,”
Last year at the Queen’s Marketplace in Waikoloa, DOCARE officers ordered feral cat feeding to stop, at the request of the shopping center’s owners as nēnē were eating cat food right alongside a large population of wandering cats.

The nonprofit Friends of Liliʻuokalani Gardens put up signs cautioning visitors that it is illegal to touch, harass, feed, or harm a nēnē.


https://www.kwxx.com/2024/04/24/nene-gos...eral-cats/

What's everybody's thoughts on this??

I'm still "mulling" this myself!

There was a crime scene at 7th and Makuu.  Junkyard house.  Seems like the more junk in the yard, the more chance of violence eventually taking place. 


Shooting in Puna leaves man with multiple injuries; 1 man in custody
April 19, 2024 · 10:15 PM HST


A Puna man is being investigated for attempted murder after a 32-year-old man was shot several times.


https://bigislandnow.com/2024/04/19/shoo...n-custody/

2024 Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

Come experience the national parks! All National Park Service sites that charge an entrance fee will offer free admission to everyone (other fees may apply). Mark your calendar for these entrance fee-free dates:

• Monday, January 15 — [color=var(--bs-link-color)]Martin Luther King, Jr. Day[/color]
  
  
• Saturday, April 20 — First Day of National Park Week
  
  
• Wednesday, June 19 — [color=var(--bs-link-color)]Juneteenth[/color]
  
  
• Sunday, August 4 — The Great American Outdoors Act
  
  
• Saturday, September 28 — [color=var(--bs-link-color)]National Public Lands Day[/color]
  
  
• Monday, November 11 — [color=var(--bs-link-color)]Veterans Day[/color]
  

I'm sure most of us have seen the newer collection of food trucks/shacks sort of across from the SiSi Tacos / Thai place.  We finally decided to try it.

I specifically was looking for tacos since it's Thursday and SiSis isn't open.  I thought there was a taco place and apparently there will be, in the newest shack and not open yet.  The taco signs were regarding the tacos the Thai shack was selling.  So I tried the chicken and the pork tacos and the wife played it safer and got some yellow curry.

The big RV looking truck was selling smash burgers and fries etc.  They smelled good and maybe we'll try them next.  They were the busiest and looked like there is probably a wait.  One of the shacks was selling stuff like hot dogs, funnel cakes, cotton candy, etc.  

Access sucks being right next to the highway and the undersized lot was full.  After we pulled in we realized that the back of the lot connects to 32nd and off street parking.  Quickest entry is probably from Paradise.

I've grown pineapple for many years and have never seen anything attack them but I noticed some of my half-grown fruits seemed to be turning brown.  Then I noticed the lack of green crowns on those same plants.  Does anyone know what this is or what to do about it?  I doused them in neem oil as a temporary solution.  I don't think they'll recover however.

Readers of Punaweb will no doubt have the same reaction to this story as Captain Renault did in Casablanca, “I’m shocked! Shocked!

For the better part of a decade, some of Hawaii’s most powerful people huddled together at late-night parties in a cramped second-floor office where lobbyists and executives seeking government contracts lined up to drop cash and checks into a metal lockbox.
That was the entry fee for these extraordinary political fund-raisers. Inside the office, just a short walk from the State Capitol in downtown Honolulu, dozens of guests were served sushi prepared by professional chefs and unlimited beer and liquor. At the end of the night, Wesley Yonamine, the host and a high-ranking airport official, would, together with the politicians, pop open the box and dole out campaign contributions according to a list of pledges obtained before each event. As described by attendees, a typical party could bring in thousands of dollars in donations, giving some elected officials almost half their annual campaign haul in a single night.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/17/us/ha...tions.html

Excuse to research and maybe buy fun stuffs : )

You can do this PunaFolks, the roads are smooth. Shoulders wide, hills are gradual and for the most part only one way. Up or down,,, so think possibly / positively ,,, ½ your ride nearly free .. You know na .. your drive.

No need to spend thousands ( or even hundreds ) on the bike. Don't buy into having to have x latest bla bla blings either.. So many perfect bikes on Craigslist from Hilo > Kau sellers. Yes, right here. Awesome.

#1, Just get your position ( seat height and friendly bars ) on the bike comfortable + low gearing and build up to longer trips. That's the Genesis to keeping going.

The two main, local Craigslist Seller Folks are all in to help you here. If you not sure, just ask.

Have Fenders nice but no necesito. Poncho / junky rain suit fine + hat under the hood and all good.

Ignore all the hype, just go your speed. Use it or lose it di ba ? Next thing you know, now you have nice routine. Rain or shine. Days getting longer too so plenty time.

Instead of fully loaded car trips, maybe, break it down to smaller and nice reason / excuse / alibi ? to ride.

That said take your time, enjoy the ride.

God Bless.

Some here might not like this ( cycling related ) video as related to above

https://m.youtube.com/shorts/mO6j6hdwtcM

Has this ever happened before? Is that normal? You can confirm it on Redfin or Zillow. There are 26 brand new, permitted and finaled homes on the market in Hawaiian Paradise Park. 

Does anyone have any theories?  $475,000 is the cheapest and $850,000 is the most expensive asking price.  The smallest two are 1246 square feet and they want $649,000!, and $475,000.  The largest three are 2314 square feet and they range from $698,000 to $850,000.    One just came on the market today and the oldest has been on the market for 241 days.  The lowest Price per square foot is $302. The highest price per square foot is $521 and that one has a very nice carport in the photos. That one just came on the market. Hope the developer knows how to leave his/her/etc. slippers in line. 

None of the listings brag about who the builder is.  Who are the builders?  Are they builders or are they developers?  Any help making any sense of this is appreciated.

https://www.redfin.com/county/663/HI/Haw...-155.02266

Just for fun. Submit here new plate design. Must be Puna Related ..lol.

Stickers so easy these days. Scale down to 7' x 4' ish ( motorcycle size ) Crowdfund a winner ?

@Rob ..do you know who did those "P_ ones in the past ?