February 19, 2009 – Hilo, Hawaii
VIDEO: David Corrigan         

The Pana`ewa Rainforest Zoo & Gardens is proud to show off the new addition to the zoo family: a pair of authentic Kona Nightingales, both rescued from the dry Kaupulehu area of the Kona coast.

According to Hawaii County, the two animals are the “progeny of relics from the by-gone days” when donkeys were used to help transport coffee for the old Kona farms. The nightingales that continue to roam free in the lava fields of Kohala are infamous for causing accidents along Big Island roads. An effort to relocate and protect the donkeys has led these two west side refugees to a welcome new home in Hilo.

A male named Kekake A`a (lava donkey) and a female companion, Keiki A`a (lava child) were donated by former District 9 County Councilman Leningrad Elarionoff. Elarionoff had cared for the two nightingales prior.

The county also thanked Corky Bryan of Parker Ranch and Keoki Wood for transporting the Kona Nightingales to the zoo.

In this video Terry Moniz, the zoo’s info & education specialist, shows introduces the two new residents.