Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge

On By nationalparkswithtIn Hawaii1 Comment
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My family and I took a cruise around the Hawaiian islands in 2019. We embarked in Honolulu on the island of Oahu. Prior to embarkation, we spent a few days on land and explored Oahu. Using Hilton’s Hawaiian Village as our base, we enjoyed visiting many interesting sites before boarding the Pride of America. We spent a week on board cruising the Hawaiian Islands. Our first port of call was Kahului Harbor on Maui, followed by the big island of Hawaiʻi. Our last port before returning to Oahu was Kauai.

We stayed two days in Kauai. We spent the two days touring the island with stops at Wailua Falls, Lihue Plantation tubing, ʻŌpaekaʻa Falls, Wailua River State Park, Mount Waiʻaleʻale, Fuji Beach, Moloa’a Beach, Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge, Wai’oli Hui’ia Church, Ninini Point Lighthouse, Waimea Canyon State Park, Kōkeʻe State Park, Russian Fort Elizabeth State Historical Park, Hanapepe Swinging Bridge, Koloa Heritage Trail and Nā Pali Coast State Wilderness Park.

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Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge»

After visiting the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, we continued our tour of Kauai’s North Shore. We stopped at the Hanalei Valley Overlook on Kuhio Highway to see the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge.

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This a quick stop…just the view to take in and some interpretive displays about the refuge and the waterbirds it protects. A visitor center is in the planning stages, close to the existing overlook. The refuge wetlands are closed to the public.

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Hanalei NWR was established in 1972 to protect the Hawaiian Duck, Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Common Moorhen and the Nene. The largest population of Hawaiian Ducks or Koloa are found here. All five birds are on the endangered species list. This wildlife refuge is one of several in Hawaii seeking to reclaim the wetland habitats and taro ponds from the now defunct sugar cane industry.

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The US Fish and Wildlife Service allows farmers to grow Taro in the valley by special permit. Taro root is the basis for Poi, a traditional side dish served at luaus, and was an important staple for ancient Hawaiians. It has been harvested in Hanalei for over 1000 years and the fields provide a desirable habitat for some of the waterbirds.

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Kauai Posts➢

Location: Kapaʻa, Hawaii
Designation: National Wildlife Refuge
Date designated/established: November 30, 1972
Date of my visit: April 18, 2019