After once numbering in the hundreds, the feral donkey population in West Hawaii now hovers at about 30, thanks to successful adoption drives during the past few years, according to a rancher who looks after them.
The donkeys live on about 6,000 acres of fenced ranchland near Waikoloa Village, but not long ago they roamed through lawns and onto roadways, creating a nuisance for residents and visitors in the area.
“We had more and more donkeys coming in the village wreaking havoc,” said Kimo Santos, referring to 2009 when he became Waikoloa Village Association’s environmental control manager.
The bothersome burros, which at one point numbered more than 500, were moved onto the ranchland, and an adoption program coordinated with the state chapter of the Humane Society and a Waimea veterinarian began.
The last major adoption event for the donkeys, descendants of castoffs from the early days of the coffee and agriculture plantations, was hosted in 2016.
Stan Boteilho, who leases the ranchland from the association, said requests for adoptions have been slow since. People have adopted them either as pets or to use on farms.
“They are nice pets to have,” he said. “They are real gentle creatures, and they want to be your friend.”
Boteilho said he uses water pen traps to capture them.
“If I capture them, and they don’t have no place to go, I just turn them out,” he said. “They only get more educated the next time around.”
Roger Wehrsig, association general manager, said it’s not their goal to remove all the donkeys, though they are happy to help find them new homes. The main concern is that the herd remains manageable and they don’t get loose and cause more traffic wrecks or other problems for residents.
“I think we’d like to have a few just for nostalgia around here,” he said.
“We certainly want to make sure whoever wants to adopt them has the proper home for them.”
To inquire about adopting the remaining donkeys, contact the association at 883-9422.
Email Tom Callis at tcallis@hawaiitribune-herald.com.