Visit Us
Volunteer opportunities at Kakahai‘a NWR are scheduled upon request and availability of staff. Previous volunteers have assisted refuge staff in projects including invasive plant removal, out-planting native plants, fence construction, and other maintenance needs. If you or your group is interested, contact the refuge office on Maui, 808-875-1582.
Location and Contact Information
About Us
Kakahai‘a National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Moloka‘i was established in 1976 to permanently protect wetland habitat for endangered waterbirds, primarily Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian coot, and to provide habitat for wintering migratory wetland birds.
What We Do
The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.
Our Species
As many as 12 species of birds, including the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot) call the refuge home. Migratory waterfowl and shorebirds also frequent the refuge throughout the year. Invasive mammals (feral cats, dogs, mongooses, and axis deer) are present on the refuge as well.
Get Involved
Volunteer opportunities at Kakahai‘a NWR are scheduled upon request and availability of staff. Previous volunteers have assisted refuge staff in projects including invasive plant removal, out-planting native plants, fence construction, and other maintenance needs. If you or your group is interested, contact the refuge office on Maui, 808-875-1582.