The Hawai‘i Birding Trails website is your guide to finding Hawai‘i’s birds. Use the interactive map to explore hotspots along our birding trails and plan your trip with printable checklists. Read all about our many feathered residents in an easy to use search page. Each of the four routes consist of a network of birding hotspots rather than a physical linear trail so users can join or leave the route at any point along the way.

This website is administered by the Nā Ala Hele Trails and Access System, part of the Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife. We are not responsible to for any content linked to outside of this website. The website is to be used only as a guide.

 

Hawai‘i Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail
The Hawai‘i Island Coast to Coast Birding Trail is a 90-mile cross-island driving route from Kona to Hilo. Patterned after the many successful birding trails in North America, it links a remarkably varied set of locales featuring a broad representation of island bird life, nature, geology, history, and scenic vistas. The route runs from Kaloko-Honokohau National Park in Kona up Hina Lani Street to Highway 190 to Route 200 (the old Saddle Road) to the Daniel K. Inouye Highway to Waiānuenue Avenue in Hilo via Kaūmana Drive to Kamehameha Avenue and finally to Loko Waka Pond off Kalaniana‘ole Avenue. All the sites are accessible areas to the public.

Download Interpretive Master Plan (15 MB)

 

Maui Sea to Summit Birding Trail
The Maui Sea to Summit Birding Trail is a 90-mile driving route that takes you from the shores of Maui to its 10,000-foot mountain top. This trail links a variety of habitat types and diversity of natural, geologic, and cultural features—some of the most iconic destinations in the world. The route runs from Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge near Kīhei up to the Leleiwi Overlook in Haleakalā National Park. This trail also includes a side trip to Waiʻānapanapa State Park, for the adventurous birder exploring the famed Hana Highway.  Most of the sites are accessible areas to the public (the Waikamoi Preserve is private and requires reservations.)

 

Oʻahu Loop Birding Trail
The Oʻahu Loop Birding Trail is a driving route that encircles the island, exploring sites that offer coastal, wetland, forest, and urban birding. The route spans from the Kaʻena Point State Park entrance on the north facing shore near Haleiwa, clockwise around the island to the Kaʻena Point State Park entrance on the island’s west facing shore near Mākaha. Along the way, the route features varied birding opportunities, including scenic viewpoints, parks, hiking trails, and guided tours. Most of the sites are accessible areas to the public (the James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge requires reservations to access and participate in guided hikes.)

 

Kauaʻi Bog to Beach Birding Trail
The Kauaʻi Bog to Beach Birding Trail is a driving route, from Hanalei on the island’s northeast shore to Kokeʻe State Park on the northwest side. The route will bring you to wetlands, coastal cliffs, forests, beaches, and even high-elevation bogs. This birding trail highlights sites that include National Wildlife Refuges, hiking trails, and parks. Most of the sites are accessible areas to the public (the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is closed to the public- but a viewpoint located just southwest of the Princeville town center is open to the public from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday. The Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge requires reservations on days that it is open for public access.)