Donkey
Adopted Died
Louie was a wild Waikaloa nightingale. They were named nightingales by the locals who heard the donkeys braying to each other at night. They were brough to Hawai'i in 1825 as pack animals for the booming coffee and tea industry.
In November 2010, the Waikoloa Donkey Rescue and Re-homing project put out food and water and humanely trapped the donkeys. Dr. Bergin at ‘Āina Hou Animal Hospital neutered the jacks and prepared the donkeys for adoption. It was the beginning of what would become the largest capture and re-homing of donkeys in Hawai`i.
Louie was one of these donkeys. Through the rescue efforts of Hawai'i Animal Kuleana Alliance (formerly HLFARN), Louie was rescued from the 2018 lava flow. He was given sanctuary with us in October that year.
When Louie arrived at the sanctuary, he was extremely shy of people. We kept him with Eddie to keep him company. Eddie, Rob Cole, and the farrier Teddy Wolzien spent much time with Louiue winning his trust. Eventually he was able to recognize the trust of another donkey and benefit of human cuddles. He died of old age in 2023.
