Aloha and welcome to Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge! Part of the National Wildlife Refuge System, Keālia is a sanctuary for many species that are native and endemic to the Hawaiian Islands.

Latest News

A small, round black bird with a red spot on its forehead
History and Culture
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge Blesses Mural at the Education Pavilion
As summer was beginning, Keālia  Pond National Wildlife Refuge announced the addition of a mosaic mural to the refuge’s education pavilion. The mural was made possible through a robust partnership with the Friends of Keālia  Pond National Wildlife Refuge and refuge visitor services staff.
A vast pond surrounded by large mountains with rolling white clouds.
Endangered Species Act
Recovering Endangered Species at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, through its Cooperative Recovery Initiative, is committing $3.74 million to nine projects on 12 national wildlife refuge across 12 states for recovery of some of the nation’s most at-risk species on or near national wildlife refuges.
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Visit Us

The seasonal conditions that occur at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge make it a notable place for people to observe Hawai‘i's endangered wetland birds, along with a diversity of feathered visitors from as far away as Alaska and Canada, and occasionally from Asia.

Location and Contact Information

      About Us

      Keālia Pond NWR is a hidden wetland treasure transitioning the urban development and agriculture fields.  Here, endangered Hawaiian waterbirds are protected and go about their daily activities, and are joined by migratory birds in winter.  Quiet solitude for those that wander and explore the wetlands.  

      The protected wetland is home to the endangered ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt) and ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), providing nesting, feeding and resting habitat. In the winter months there are over 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds, and migratory ducks at the refuge. 

      What We Do

      The National Wildlife Refuge System is a series of lands and waters owned and managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Wildlife conservation is at the heart of the refuge system. It drives everything we do from the purpose a refuge is established, to the recreational activities offered there, to the resource management tools we use. Selecting the right tools helps us ensure the survival of local plants and animals and helps fulfill the purpose of the refuge.