Reporters, Voters Duped by Departing Zoo Director

HNN: …his family, we now know, was already on the mainland - some people must have known.

I’m not the only who feels duped: Denby Fawcett, who also interviewed Fleming, uses that very word in Civll Beat. She wonders aloud if someone thought Fleming’s departure would keep people from voting for the zoo funding measure.

The city council’s Ernie Martin told Denby, maybe before seeking a new director we need to learn more about why the Zoo has had five directors in six years. The Honolulu Zoo Society ought to know….

read … Duped

  *   *   *   *   *

Honolulu Zoo director resigns

SA: …Honolulu Zoo Director Baird Fleming announced today that he is resigning his post due to a job opportunity elsewhere, city officials said.

The resignation comes in the midst of the city’s efforts to regain accreditation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, which stripped Honolulu of its seal of approval in March.

Fleming became zoo director in February 2015, its fifth in six years.

The zoo’s inability to retain a director was cited by the AZA as one reason Honolulu lost its accreditation….

read … Musical Chairs

  *   *   *   *   *

Zoo Administrator announces resignation to move to mainland

News Release from City and County of Honolulu Nov 18, 2016

Honolulu – Today, the Department of Enterprise Services announced that Honolulu Zoo Administrator Dr. Baird Fleming has accepted a job on the mainland and has indicated his intent to resign from the Honolulu Zoo.

“We thank Dr. Fleming for his more than 4 ½ years of service to the Honolulu Zoo and for putting us on a path towards reaccreditation by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums,” said Enterprise Services Director Guy Kaulukukui. “Change is an opportunity for growth, and we are poised to grow in very exciting ways that our local residents and visitors will surely enjoy.”

“I’ll always treasure my time at the Honolulu Zoo and the aloha shown by my staff and the people in this community,” said Dr. Fleming. “I leave with a heavy heart.”

Director Kaulukukui also announced today that Bill Balfour has been assigned to be temporary Zoo Administrator. Balfour was the director of Parks and Recreation at a time when the zoo was under that department’s jurisdiction. Linda Santos remains assistant zoo director and has more than 30 years of experience in animal care and welfare at the zoo.

"With their leadership and the experience of our dedicated zoo staff, the Honolulu Zoo remains in good hands as we begin a national search for our next director,” added Kaulukukui.  

  *   *   *   *   *