Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the best places on the main Hawaiian islands to view wildlife. The refuge was established for the protection of threatened and endangered species, and is home to the largest populations of nesting seabirds in Hawai‘i. Visitors also have a chance to observe Hawaiian monk seals (‘ilio holo i ka uaua), humpback whales (koholā), spinner dolphins (nai‘a), green turtles (honu), and native Hawaiian coastal plants.

Thousands of migratory seabirds use Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge each year for nesting, foraging, or resting. Laysan albatross (moli), red-footed boobies (‘a), brown boobies (‘a), red-tailed tropicbirds (koa‘e ‘ula), white-tailed tropicbirds (koa ‘e‘kea), great frigatebirds (‘iwa), newell’s shearwater (‘a’o), and wedge-tailed shearwaters (ua‘u‘ kani) all visit the refuge. In addition, the endangered Hawaiian goose (nene), and migratory shorebirds like the Pacific golden plover (kōlea) can be seen. Native Hawaiian coastal plants including naupaka kahakai, ‘ilima, hala, ‘āheahea, ‘akoko, and the rare ālula have been restored on the refuge.

The refuge operates a store filled with books, guides, exhibits, and educational resources, as well as maintains informative displays around the grounds, and conducts interpretive and environmental education activities. It is also home to the historic Kilauea Point Lighthouse which sits on the remanent of the Kilauea volcanic vent that last erupted about 15,000 years ago. Today, only a small U-shaped portion remains, including a spectacular ocean bluff. The National Wildlife Refuge system was established in 1903 to start conserving and recovering habitats and their wildlife populations. This is the largest acreage of public lands and waters set aside for fish, wildlife, and plants in the world – with more than 150 million acres, at least 1 refuge in every state, and nine in Hawaii.