Hanalei NWR

22.19953 , -159.47185

United States of America (USA)

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River, a small lake and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl, herons and gallinules. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). Other waterfowl such as Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper. Further details are provided at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hanalei

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) : 22.1995/-159.4718 (2021-05-27 19:34:14 )

Site name was set by Mathias Ritschard (Admin) as "Hanalei NWR" (2021-05-27 19:34:14 )

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:09:26
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River, a small lake and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl waterfowl, herons and herons.gallinules. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). Other waterfowl such as Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper. Further details are provided at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hanalei
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:25:08
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River, a small lake and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). Other ducks such waterfowl such as Tundra Swan, Northern Shoveler, Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper. Further details are provided at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hanalei
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:20:59
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River, a small lake and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). Other ducks such as Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper. Sandpiper. Further details are provided at https://www.fws.gov/refuge/hanalei
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:12:28
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River and River, a small lake and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). Other ducks such as Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:12:00
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). The site also has resident Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Ducks Other ducks such as Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally.occasionally. The site also has resident Hawaiian Gallinule (a subspecies of Common Gallinule), Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:04:39
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). The site also has resident Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island.  Ducks such as Lesser Scaup, Northern Pintail and Green-winged Teal occur occasionally. Black-crowned Night Heron and Black-necked Stilt are resident. Shorebirds using the site include Pacific Golden Plover, Wandering Tattler and (in fall) Pectoral Sandpiper.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 02:59:26
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). The site also has resident Hawaian Hawaiian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. 
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 02:58:41
Hanalei was established as a wildlife refuge in 1972. The habitat includes the Hanalei River and several ponds used for growing taro, which provide habitat for waterfowl and herons. The reserve is especially important as a refuge for the koloa or Hawaiian Duck, which occurs in its purest form on Kaua'i (those on other islands being hybridized with Mallards). The site also has resident Hawaian Coot and Hawaiian Goose which has been reintroduced to the island. 

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis)
Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana)
Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata)
Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai)
Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus)
Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana)
Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax)

Wandering Tattler (Tringa incana) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 04:01:16)

Black-crowned Night Heron (Nycticorax nycticorax) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:54:00)

Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:53:23)

Hawaiian Coot (Fulica alai) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:52:59)

Hawaiian Duck (Anas wyvilliana) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:52:47)

Common Gallinule (Gallinula galeata) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:52:33)

Hawaiian Goose (Branta sandvicensis) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 03:51:36)

  • Timing and strategy

Year-round for endemic/native resident waterbirds (Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Common Gallinule (Hawaiian), Hawaiian Coot, Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian), Black-crowned Night-Heron. Fall thru spring for migrant and vagrant shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:20
Year-round for endemic/native resident waterbirds (Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Common Gallinule (Hawaiian), Hawaiian Coot, Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian), Black-crowned Night-Heron. Fall thru spring for migrant and vagrant shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds. Birding is from the roadside. The small lake to the east of Ohiki Road is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The other species are usually to be found in an around the taro ponds on the west side of the road.waterbirds.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:15
Year-round for endemic/native resident waterbirds (Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Common Gallinule (Hawaiian), Hawaiian Coot, Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian), Black-crowned Night-Heron. Fall thru spring for migrant and vagrant shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds.waterbirds. Birding is from the roadside. The small lake to the east of Ohiki Road is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The other species are usually to be found in an around the taro ponds on the west side of the road.
Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 03:55
Year-round for endemic/native resident waterbirds (Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Common Gallinule (Hawaiian), Hawaiian Coot, Black-necked Stilt (Hawaiian), Black-crowned Night-Heron. Fall thru spring for migrant and vagrant shorebirds, waterfowl, and other waterbirds.
  • How to get there

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:20
From the Kuhio Highway, turn left onto Ohiki Road immediately after crossing Hanalei Bridge. The site can be reached on foot or by bicycle from Hanalei (3km) via the Kuhio Highway.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:10
From the Kuhio Highway, turn left onto Ohiki Road immediately after crossing Hanalei Bridge. The site can be reached on foot or by bicycle from Hanalei (3km) via the Kuhio Highway.

As of November 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okolehao Hiking Trailhead via Ohiki Road. The parking area for the trailhead (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck.

The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway (open Tuesday to Saturday from 0830 to 1630). This viewpoint provides distant but scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:24
As of November 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Okolehao Hiking Trailhead via Ohiki Road. The parking area for the trailhead (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway (open Tuesday to Saturday from 0830 to 1630). This viewpoint provides distant but scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:19
As of November 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Hiking Trailhead via Ohiki Road. The parking area for the trailhead (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway (open Tuesday to Saturday from 0830 to 1630). This viewpoint provides distant but scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:14
As of 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Hiking Trailhead. Trailhead via Ohiki Road. The parking area for the trailhead on Ohiki Road (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway.Highway (open Tuesday to Saturday from 0830 to 1630). This viewpoint provides distant but scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:10
As of 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Hiking Trailhead. The parking area for the trailhead on Ohiki Road (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway. This viewpoint provides distant, but very scenic distant but scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:33
As of 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Hiking Trailhead. The parking area for the trailhead on Ohiki Road (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway. This viewpoint provides distant, but very scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 03:32
As of 2025, the refuge is closed except for access to the Okelehao Trailhead. The parking area on Ohiki Road (see map) happens to be located next to the small lake between Ohiki Road and the river, which is a reliable spot for Hawaiian Duck. The refuge can also be viewed from a viewpoint at Princeville where there is a layby on the south side of Kuhio Highway. This viewpoint provides distant, but very scenic views of the reserve. Those equipped with a telescope or superzoom camera should be able to spot Hawaiian Duck from here.
  • Other attractions

The Okolehao Trail leads up the hillside from Ohiki Road, a round trip of 6.5 km. The trail provides elevated views of the wildlife refuge and Hanalei Bay. 

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-30 10:41
The Okolehao Trail leads up the hilside, hillside from Ohiki Road, a round trip of 6.5 km. The trail provides elevated views of the wildlife refuge and Hanalei Bay. 
Edited by Stephen Matthews on 2025-11-12 11:24
The Okolehao Trail leads up the hilside, a round trip of 6.5 km. The trail provides elevated views of the wildlife refuge and Hanalei Bay. 

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Not available yet
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Hanalei NWR - Orniverse