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.
Our Mission
The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge System is to administer a national network of lands and waters for the conservation, management and, where appropriate, restoration of the fish, wildlife and plant resources and their habitats within the United States for the benefit of present and future generations.
Our History
March 15, 1976--Kakahai‘a National Wildlife Refuge was established.
Other Facilities in this Complex
Kakahai‘a National Wildlife Refuge is managed as part of the Maui Complex. A National Wildlife Refuge Complex is an administrative grouping of two or more refuges, wildlife management areas or other refuge conservation areas that are primarily managed from a central office location. Refuges are grouped into a complex structure structure
Something temporarily or permanently constructed, built, or placed; and constructed of natural or manufactured parts including, but not limited to, a building, shed, cabin, porch, bridge, walkway, stair steps, sign, landing, platform, dock, rack, fence, telecommunication device, antennae, fish cleaning table, satellite dish/mount, or well head.
Learn more about structure because they occur in a similar ecological region, such as a watershed or specific habitat type, and have a related purpose and management needs. Typically, a project leader or complex manager oversees the general management of all refuges within the complex and refuge managers are responsible for operations at specific refuges. Supporting staff, composed of administrative, law enforcement, refuge manager, biological, fire, visitor services, and maintenance professionals, are centrally located and support all refuges within the complex.
Other refuges in the Maui Complex include: Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge on the island of Maui. The Refuge Complex headquarters is located at milepost 6 Mokulele Highway, Kihei, Hawai‘i 96753.