HANALEI — Bird watchers and shutter bugs, get your cameras ready. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge has officially opened to the public on Kauai’s North Shore.
Kauai’s new self-guided refuge completes the trifecta for Kauai’s wildlife refuges on the island — Hanalei, Huleia, and Kilauea Point — all managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation (DOT).
The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge opened its gates on Tuesday, April 30, with much anticipation by both locals and tourists. The 5.4-acre parcel shows off stunning views of the Hanalei Valley, Hanalei Bay, Hanalei NWR, and Halele‘a Forest Reserve.
The refuge’s first visitor, Princeville resident Joe Punla said, “I was driving by and I saw the gate open and immediately pulled over, I asked the volunteers and they said ‘Yes, it’s open.’ I’ve been driving past the refuge for two years and I’m excited to finally view the site.”
The two viewpoints provide visitors with a safe view of the many sensitive endangered species and habitats in the valley. The wildlife refuge truly provides much-needed refuge for those seeking a safe sanctuary to enjoy the scenery.
“Glad this is here in our neighborhood, the other lookout across from the Princeville Shopping center is so dangerous, glad this is here, safe for everyone” added Punla.
The site also includes parking along with short-term parking for a maximum of three small buses. Most importantly the viewpoint allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share with everyone the wildlife conservation work being conducted and some Hawaiian history with the opportunity to display Kaua‘i’s beauty.
Visiting Geologist Ben Grove said, “This is so beautiful, such a great idea, and much safer than the other scenic view down the road, seems like they put a lot of effort in the plaques, and its all great information and I appreciate that.”
The viewpoint will be accessible Tuesday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge was established under the Endangered Species Act to conserve threatened and endangered species, including five Hawaiian waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat: the koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), the ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), the ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen), the ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and the nene (Hawaiian goose).
Forty-five other species of birds and the endangered ‘ope‘ape‘a (Hawaiian hoary bat) also utilize refuge habitat at some point throughout the year.
