Hawaii wildlife officials are urging Molokai drivers to ease off the gas after three endangered nene were killed on a busy highway, a setback for the effort to rebuild the island's flock.

• An adult male nene was found dead along Kamehameha Highway earlier this month.
• His two young were struck and killed nearby the next day.
• All three had been moved from Kauai to help rebuild Molokai's nene population.
• Losing a whole family group is a real hit to a bird that is still protected as endangered.

Outlook: Expect more driver warnings and possible signs or speed measures along the highway where the birds gather.