Hawaii
The refuge is closed to the general public
Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge is closed to general public access to protect threatened and endangered birds. Entry by Special Use Permit or accompanied by Refuge staff only.
In order to protect the endangered species that live in Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge, it is closed to general public access but can be viewed at an overlook maintained by the State of Hawai‘i at the historic Menehune Fish Pond which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Refuge is located in a valley along the Hulē‘ia River bordered by steep wooded hillsides. This land historically was used for wetland agriculture including taro and rice but is managed today as a refuge for wildlife. Thirty-one species of birds, including endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis).
The Refuge is located in a valley along the Hulē‘ia River bordered by steep wooded hillsides. This land historically was used for wetland agriculture including taro and rice but is managed today as a refuge for wildlife. Thirty-one species of birds, including endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis).
Latest News
History and Culture
Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR), located on the lush Island of Kaua‘i, was established in 1973 to aid in the recovery of threatened and endangered species.
Whether you are visiting Kaua‘i or want to tour our wildlife refuges virtually, download the free mobile app to access stories, video galleries, photography and so much more!
How the Hawaiian goose went from thriving to near extinction and now recovery
Wildlife Management
The U. S. Fish and Wildlife Service carefully manages trapping activities on national wildlife refuges to ensure that safe, effective practices are used, to ensure the sustainability of wildlife populations, and to protect refuge infrastructure. Trapping may be used as a wildlife management tool...
