Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge

Hawaii

5240411

Draft Compatibility Determination for Public Review and Comment

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service announces the availability of a new Draft Compatibility Determination for public review and comment on the following uses at the Hulē'ia National Wildlife Refuge: Environmental Education and Interpretation. These existing uses are being reevaluated and now include the Native Hawaiian Organization Mālama Hulēʻia cultural and environmental stewardship programs. The public comment period will extend from December 12, 2024 through December 27, 2024. Please let us know if you need the documents in an alternative format. Concerns expressed during the public comment period will be addressed in the final compatibility determinations. Comments may be sent by email to Jennifer_Waipa@fws.gov or mailed to: Kauaʻi NWRC, P.O. Box 1128, Kīlauea, HI 96754.

5074301

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).