Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is nestled between Kīhei and Ma‘alaea towns and features a coastal salt marsh habitat. Start your trip at the Visitors Center to learn all about the area and its feathery inhabitants. Nearby, the Kanuimanu Ponds offer an up-close view of waterbirds. A must-see is the Coastal Boardwalk that offers a ...
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The Kanahā Ponds were designated a State Wildlife Sanctuary in 1951 and provides a safe habitat for many native and vagrant waterbirds. Located near the Kahului Airport and the main towns of Kahului and Wailuku, this site is an easy escape to view nature.
A side trip on the road to Hana is always an adventure! The Wai‘ānapanapa State Park is a perfect rest stop steeped in Hawaiian culture. The off-shore rocks and cliffs provide excellent sightings of shore and seabirds, viewable from ancient shoreline trails.
Named after Hawai‘i’s first Superintendent of Forester, Ralph Hosmer, this grove of eucalyptus (planted by Ralph in 1909) and the adjacent nature trail though sub-alpine shrubland provides an excellent venue to sign Hawai‘i’s colorful native forest birds.
High up on the cliffs of Haleakalā Crater is the Leleiwi Overlook. On the short trail to the overlook, you may see nēnē and other native and common birds. From the lookout, you may glimps soaring tropic birds and seabirds returning to their burrows at night.
One of the best locations to see seabirds, without getting wet, is the Hawaiʻi’s Island’s western most point, Keāhole. This rocky point is also a good example of coast strand and the shorebirds that inhabit this type of ecosystem. This area is within the Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawaiʻi (NELHA) and is accessed by driving ...
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Wailoa River State Park contains several ancient Hawaiian fishponds (none currently in use) that provide habitat for a variety endemic, migratory, and introduced waterfowl. Recently a flock of domestic helmeted guineafowl has also been frequenting the area. The park is open daily during daylight hours.
While it is on private property, Loko Waka fishpond is a great spot to see native waterfowl, particularly ‘alae ke‘oke‘o. Loko Waka is also a major roosting site for cattle egrets in the Hilo area. At 60 acres in size, Loko Waka is the largest of the fish ponds in Keaukaha.