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.

The refuge is at the end of Kilauea Road.

Predator control and a predator fenceline around the perimeter of the refuge are necessary to protect breeding seabirds and nene. Native and endangered plant reintroduction and invasive species removal are ongoing and expanding. Native Hawaiian coastal plants naupaka, 'ilima, hala, ‘aheahea, ‘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.