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.
Kahakapao Recreation Area is a mountain biker’s paradise. An extensive network of hiking trails, biking trails, and biking skills amenities are favorites of the Upcountry community. A mix of native koa/‘ōhi‘a and exotic trees provides a unique birding experience.
The Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area hosts a diversity of outdoor activites including hiking, camping, and hunting. The large Recreation area encludes several hiking trails that take you through various native and exotic forest habitats. As such, a wide variety of birds can be seen in this area.
The Nature Conservancy’s (TNC’s) Waikamoi Preserve was established to protect the fresh water source for the island and to provide a sanctuary for endangered plants, birds, and hundreds of other native Hawaiian species. The preserve is home to several critically endangered birds only found there, including the kiwikiu (Maui parrotbill) and ʻākohekohe.
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.