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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, which is listed on the 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, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana) can be found here. As well as the nēnē (Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis) which is now listed as Threatened. Twenty-six other species of birds (18 of which are introduced species) also call Hulē‘ia home.
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 National Wildlife Refuge is to provide habitat that meets the life history requirement needs of the four endangered water birds, with an emphasis on the kaola maoli (Hawaiian duck / Anas wyvilliana). The other three birds include the ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), and the ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis).
Our Species
Thirty-one species of birds, including endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudseni), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai), ‘alae‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen, Gallinula galeata sandvicensis), nēnē (Hawaiian goose), and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana) can be found here. Twenty-six other species of birds (18 of which are introduced species) also use the Refuge.
