Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint Opening Anticipated

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Hanalei, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi –The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) would like to update the public regarding the opening of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Viewpoint. 

The Hanalei NWR Viewpoint is a 5.4-acre parcel located along Kūhiō Highway in Princeville that includes two viewpoints of the greater Hanalei Valley and Bay, Hanalei NWR, and the Halele‘a Forest Reserve.  The site also includes parking for 25 cars, short-term parking for a maximum of three buses, perimeter fencing and entry gate, signs, interpretive displays, vault toilets, seating, and native plantings that will provide residents and visitors with opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Hanalei Valley and the Hanalei NWR. 

The Service is awaiting the completion of the acquisition documents submittal and recording with the State of Hawai‘i and the issuance of a TMK, officially separating the property from the adjacent subdivision and incorporating it as a part of the Hanalei NWR. Additional work is being done by Service staff to complete the construction of facilities at the site, including the installation of additional fencing and irrigation, as well as the removal of hazardous trees from the landscape for safety and security. Once these remaining items have been completed, a tentative opening of the site to the public is planned. Please check our website for additional information as we will continue to provide updates there when more information on the planned opening of the site becomes available. 

Hanalei NWR, which is one of three refuges within the Kauaʻi NWR Complex, provides one of the most important wetland habitat sites in the State of Hawai‘i for the recovery of the endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian common gallinule), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose).  

With its patchwork quilt of loʻi kalo and wetland management units, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest of Kaua‘i’s three national wildlife refuges.  The 917-acre Refuge was established in 1972 to recover threatened and endangered species, including endangered waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat. Learn more about the refuge by visiting our website: www.fws.gov/hanalei or call Jennifer Waipa at (808) 828-1413  x301.