Hawaiian nene subject of talks

The first in a series of public talks about the ecology and recovery of the endangered nene on Kauai will be held Thursday in Hanalei.

The number of nene, or Hawaiian geese, across the state fell to 50 in the mid-1950s, but conservation efforts have helped the species rebound.

The Kauai Nene Habitat Conservation Plan is holding the public talks in conjunction with the state Division of Forestry and Wildlife.

Christian Vlautin, project coordinator of the Habitat Conservation Plan, will discuss the birds’ history and biology. Conservation staff are also seeking input on addressing potential conflicts between nene and agriculture, public safety and private property.

The talk will be at 6 p.m. Thursday at Hale Halawai Ohana o Hanalei Community Center, 5299 Kuhio Highway.

Tourist injured off crater trail

The Hawaii County Fire Department rescued a 54-year-old tourist injured in the Kilauea Iki Crater at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park.

The woman and her daughter wandered about 50 feet off the trail across the floor of the crater when she lost her balance on some rocks and flipped backward, striking her head and back, according to a Fire Department news release. She also suffered multiple cuts and scrapes.

The incident happened at about 1:50 p.m. Saturday off the 4-mile loop trail.

The Fire Department helicopter lifted the woman out of the crater to an ambulance. She was taken in stable condition to a hospital, the Fire Department said.

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Star-Advertiser staff