Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge


	Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
	Kilauea Point Lighthouse State Hwy 56 and Lighthouse Rd Kilauea, Kauai, HI 96754 - 1128 E-mail: Shannon_Smith@fws.gov Phone Number: 808-828-1413
	Visit the Refuge's Web Site: http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 when land an historic lighthouse were transferred to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service from the U.S. Coast Guard. The ocean cliffs and open grassy slopes of an extinct volcano provide breeding grounds for native Hawaiian seabirds and nene, the endangered Hawaiian goose.

Kilauea Point offers the opportunity, now unique on the main Hawaiian Islands, to view red-footed boobies, Laysan albatrosses, wedge-tailed shearwaters, and other seabirds in their natural habitat. The National Marine Sanctuary watters surrounding the refuge are home to Hawaiian monk seals, green turtles, and, in winter, humpback whales.

Getting There . . .
Turn off the Kuhio Highway at the entrance to the town of Kilauea and follow the signs to Kilauea Lighthouse.

The refuge is at the end of Lighthouse Road.

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Built in 1913 as a navigational aid for commercial shipping between Hawaii and Asia, Kilauea Lighthouse stands as a monument to Hawai'i's colorful past. For 62 years, it guided ships and boats safely along Kaua'i's rugged north shore.

In 1976, the Coast Guard deactivated the lighthouse and replaced it with an automatic beacon. In 1979, the lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places.

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Current management programs are to protect the resident seabird nesting habitat and to cooperate with the State of Hawaii in increasing and monitoring the nene population and a newly discovered Newell's shearwater population. Management efforts are trapping predators, under contract with Wildlife Services; mowing to provide habitat and food sources for nene; and constructing and maintaining fence lines to keep dogs off the refuge.

Predator control and a predator proof fence line around the perimeter of the refuge are necessary to protect breeding seabirds and nene. Native and endangered plant reintroduction and alien species removal are ongoing and expanding. Native Hawaiian coastal plants naupaka, 'ilima, hala, ahea'hea, akoko, and others have been restored on the refuge. In addition, an endangered plant restoration program is giving species such as the rare alula a chance to survive on Kilauea Point's protected and managed environment. Habitat management also includes opening and maintaining nesting areas for the recently colonizing Laysan albatross and improving feeding habitat for nene.

An intensive visitor use program is currently undergoing changes to allow visitation without negatively impacting wildlife resources. The refuge also hosts a volunteer corps of 150 hardworking volunteers, working in all facets of refuge operations.

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