Law Enforcement
Keālia Pond NWR is a fantastic home for an abundant variety of wildlife who would love to have you as their guest. They just ask that you follow a few house rules.There are lots of fun, interesting, and educational things you can do on the refuge. Keep in mind, if an activity is not wildlife related and doesn’t help in the protection or understanding of wildlife or their habitat, and there are probably refuge rules governing this activity. Please check with the refuge management before participating in an activity that could harm the environment or yourself. There are plenty of activities for you to enjoy. Be safe and have fun! The following are not permitted on the refuge:
Pets
Please leave your pets at home. No dogs or other pets are permitted on the refuge due to the nesting habitat of endangered Hawaiian waterbirds.
Walking
Take some advice from the turtle and enjoy the refuge at a leisurely pace. The trails are for walking only.
Collecting
The Refuge is a special place that we all share, so please leave plants and animals where they are. Collecting of any kind is not permitted.
Drones
Operating drones on the Refuge is not permitted. Drones can be disturbing to wildlife and we try to make the Refuge a stress-free zone as much as possible.
Wildlife Handling
We know they’re cute, but do not pick up wildlife under any circumstance. Even if you think a young animal has been abandoned, chances are it has a parent watching anxiously nearby.
Prohibited Activities
Fires, hunting, fishing and fireworks. The critters are also the only ones allowed to spend the night, so camping and overnight parking are not permitted.
Each National Wildlife Refuge has a somewhat individual Special Use Permit (SUP) process, but in general a SUP enables the public to engage in wildlife-related activities on a National Wildlife Refuge which would otherwise be prohibited, balancing use and conservation. SUPs are used by Refuge Managers to manage the amount and type of uses on an individual National Wildlife Refuge. Permits are also used as a contract between the Refuge Manager and the Permittee. They clearly explain what is expected of the Permittee with respect to restrictions, policies, reporting, etc., and they provide a protection to the Permittee by explaining what to expect from the Service in terms of support.
Alternatively, you can link directly to the three SUP types here:
- Proposed Commercial Activities may include but are not limited to activities such as non-news related photography, videography, or audiography; ecotours.
- Proposed Research and Monitoring Activities may include scientific expeditions by students, universities, private institutions, or other non-Refuge System organizations.
- General and Other Activities may include but are not limited to education and outreach activities or amateur radio operations.