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The refuge is closed to the public

Critical habitat at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public to protect threatened and endangered birds; however, a viewpoint for HNWR is located just southwest of the Princeville town center. 

The viewpoint site is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. 

Encircled by waterfall-draped mountains, the picturesque Hanalei Valley on the north shore of Kaua‘i harbors the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.
New Compatibility Determinations - Photography, Wildlife Observation, Environmental Education, Interpretation and Commercial Tours

Photography, wildlife observation, environmental education, interpretation and commercial tours compatibility determinations are now signed and in effect at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.

Compatibility Determination for Photography and Wildlife Observation

Comments from the Public and Responses by the Service on the Compatibility Determination Process for Photography and Wildlife Observation

Compatibility Determination for Environmental Education and Interpretation

Comments from the Public and Responses by the Service on the Compatibility Determination Process for Environmental Education and Interpretation

Compatibility Determination for Commercial Tours 

Comments from the Public and Responses by the Service on the Compatibility Determination Process for Commercial Tours

Visit Us

A black bird with a white beak skips across water leaving a trail of equally spaced splashes behind him.
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‘Alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian Coot) are endemic to Hawai‘i and endangered.

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public to protect endangered and threatened species of birds. Visitors may overlook Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge from an observation point located along Kūhiō Highway in Princeville. Interpretive signage at the overlook provides information on the Refuge's wildlife and management.

Hikers may drive through the refuge on Ohiki Road to access Okolehao trailhead. Parking is limited. Please drive under 15 mph allowing wildlife to cross the road. Do not stop or park your vehicle along the road.

Location and Contact Information

      Hanalei NWR Avian Influenza - Public Update (1/21/2026)

      Avian influenza has been recognized globally for decades and includes a range of virus strains, some of which have caused significant die-offs in wild and domestic bird populations and pose potential risks to human health. In recent years, a highly pathogenic form of avian influenza (HPAI)  has spread widely across North America. Although the virus had been circulating extensively in the continental U.S. since its first detection in 2021 it had not been detected in Hawaiʻi until November 2024, leaving uncertainty in how Hawaiʻi’s endemic and native bird species would respond to this circulating strain of the virus. Since its first detection in Hawaiʻi, a total of 11 cases have been recorded in various duck species on Oʻahu and Maui, and fortunately it has not resulted in widespread deaths/outbreaks within the island chain thus far. Domesticated birds remain the most impacted by the current strain of HPAI H5N1.  This is consistent with what we have seen from the several detections of the virus in Hawaiʻi.  

      A different disease, avian botulism, is a naturally occurring soil bacteria that produces a toxin that can be fatal for waterbirds. Since 2011, more than 1,600 sick or dead birds have been affected by avian botulism at Hanalei NWR and as such, our surveillance program consists of 30+ weekly surveys conducted by USFWS staff and volunteers. 

      A sick koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) was found on November 25, 2025 by a USFWS volunteer during a routine botulism survey in an area that was experiencing a botulism outbreak. The bird was treated for avian botulism and tested for avian influenza but died within 24 hours while in quarantine. The initial test result came back as “non-negative” for avian influenza and was sent to the National Veterinary Services Lab for confirmatory testing and to determine the exact strain of avian influenza. In early January, the final test results came back as positive for avian influenza, but there was not enough genetic material to determine the exact strain of avian influenza virus or to if it was highly pathogenic. Given the botulism outbreak in the area at that time and similar paralytic symptoms, it is suspected that the duck died from botulism, while carrying avian influenza.  We are continuing to monitor for avian influenza by testing sick and dead birds, as well as live koloa maoli. The positive test result from the duck in November is the only positive result we have had since we began testing for avian influenza late last year. 

      About Us

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      Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge provides wetlands habitat for endangered aeʻo (Hawaiin stilt) and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck).

      Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

      There has been wetland agriculture in the Hanalei Valley for hundreds of years. Traditional kalo farming practices help maintain waterbird feeding and nesting areas, in conjunction with Service managed wetlands. 

      Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1972, is the oldest of Kaua‘i's three refuges that are part of the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex.  Hanalei NWR was established under the Endangered Species Act to recover threatened and endangered species, including the endangered koloa or (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus) and nēnē (Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis, now listed as Threatened). 

      The 917-acre refuge was purchased by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from the Eagle County Development Corporation with Land and Water Conservation Funds.  The Refuge is located within a proposed State Historic and Conservation District, and is also home to the Haraguchi Rice Mill which is on the National Register of Historic Places. 

      What We Do

      The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service manages the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge to:

      1. Protect and enhance Hawaiian waterbird populations and provide high quality nesting and feeding habitat.
      2. Protect and enhance the native plant community and riverine ecosystem.
      3. Provide opportunities for wildlife observation, interpretation, and environmental education.

      Projects and Research

      Left image: a close up of a yellow lab smiling with her tongue out. She has a metal gridded muzzle. Her trainer can be seen behind her. Image 2: A woman in a pink short, brown vest, tan pants and boot gaiters walks a yellow lab next to a flooded taro patch.
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      Trained detector dogs sniff out sick or dead birds at Hanalei NWR.

      Avian Botulism Detector Dogs in Partnership with Conservation Dogs of Hawaii

      Meet Solo, a conservation dog, and her trainer, Kyoko. This yellow lab is being trained to sniff out duck carcasses infected by Avian botulism type C at Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge. The goal is to find carcasses quickly to prevent a botulism outbreak.

      Avian botulism type C is a naturally occurring soil bacterium, Clostridium botulinum, which produces a powerful neurotoxin. It occurs year-round in Hawaiʻi due to warm, wet, and stagnant conditions. Since 2011, more than 1,300 waterbirds have been killed or sickened by the disease at Hanalei NWR, with over 90% of the mortalities among five federally endangered species. The koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana) is most susceptible to botulism, because it’s a dabbler.

      Mahalo to our partners, Conservation Dogs of Hawai'i!

      To learn more visit: Conservation Dogs of Hawaii