Visit Us
In order to protect the endangered species that live in Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge, it is closed to the public but can be viewed at an overlook maintained by the State of Hawai‘i at the historic Menehune Fish Pond.
Location and Contact Information
About Us
Located on the southeast side of Kaua‘i, Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) lies adjacent to the famous Menehune Fish Pond, a registered National Register of Historic Places.
In order to protect the endangered species that live in Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge, it is closed to the public but can be viewed at an overlook maintained by the State of Hawai‘i at the historic Menehune Fish Pond.
The Refuge is located in a relatively flat valley along the Hulē‘ia River bordered by a steep wooded hillside. This land was used for wetland agriculture including taro and rice but is managed today as a refuge for wildlife.
Thirty-one species of birds, including endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen), nēnē (Hawaiian goose), and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) can be found here. Twenty-six other species of birds (18 of which are introduced species) also use the Refuge.
What We Do
In accordance with the mission of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, one of the most important management functions at Hulē‘ia NWR is to provide habitat that meets the life history requirement needs of the five endangered water birds, with an emphasis on the kaola maoli (Hawaiian Duck / Anas wyvilliana).
Our Species
Thirty-one species of birds, including endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen), nēnē (Hawaiian goose), and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck) can be found here. Twenty-six other species of birds (18 of which are introduced species) also use the Refuge.