Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is a

National Wildlife Refuge National Wildlife Refuge System is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the system of public lands and waters set aside to c ...

on the northwest coast of the island of

Kauai Kauai, () anglicized as Kauai ( ), is geologically the second-oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands (after Niʻihau). With an area of 562.3 square miles (1,456.4 km2), it is the fourth-largest of these islands and the 21st largest island ...

Hawaii Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...

History

Kīlauea Lighthouse was built in 1913. In 1976, the Coast Guard deactivated the lighthouse and replaced it with an automatic beacon. In 1979, the lighthouse was placed on the

National Register of Historic Places The National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) is the United States federal government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures and objects deemed worthy of preservation for their historical significance or "great artistic v ...

. The refuge was established in 1985 to preserve and enhance

seabird Seabirds (also known as marine birds) are birds that are adapted to life within the marine environment. While seabirds vary greatly in lifestyle, behaviour and physiology, they often exhibit striking convergent evolution, as the same enviro ...

nesting colonies after the property was transferred from the

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...

. In 1988, the refuge was expanded to include Crater Hill and Mōkōlea Point.

Management activities

Management programs protect the seabird nesting habitat and cooperate with the State of

to monitor the nēnē population and a newly recruited

Newell's shearwater Newell's shearwater or Hawaiian shearwater (''ʻaʻo''), (''Puffinus newelli'') is a seabird in the family Procellariidae. It belongs to a confusing group of shearwaters which are difficult to identify and whose classification is controversial. I ...

population, among other native Hawaiian seabird species. Management efforts are trapping predators, under contract with Wildlife Services; mowing to provide habitat and food sources for nēnē (''

Branta sandvicensis The nene (''Branta sandvicensis''), also known as the nēnē or the Hawaiian goose, is a species of bird endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Oahu, Maui, Kauai, Molokai, and Hawaii. In 1957 ...

''); and constructing and maintaining fences to keep dogs off the refuge. Predator control and a fence line around the perimeter of the refuge provide baseline protection to breeding seabirds and nēnē. Native and endangered plants are reintroduced and alien species removed. Native coastal plants, such as naupaka ('' Scaevola'' spp.), ilima ('' Sida fallax''), hala ('' Pandanus tectorius''), āheahea (''

Chenopodium oahuense ''Chenopodium oahuense'' is a species of flowering plant in the amaranth family known by the common names ''aweoweo'', ''alaweo'', ''alaweo huna'', ''aheahea'', ''ahea'', ''ahewahewa'', and ''kahaihai''.Euphorbia'' spp.), have been restored on the refuge. An endangered plant restoration program gives species such as the rare ōlulu ('' Brighamia insignis'') a chance to survive on the point. Habitat management also includes opening and maintaining nesting areas for the recently colonizing

Laysan albatross The Laysan albatross (''Phoebastria immutabilis'') is a large seabird that ranges across the North Pacific. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands are home to 99.7% of the population. This small (for its family) gull-like albatross is the second-most ...

and improving feeding habitat for nēnē. A volunteer corps of 150 helps in all facets of refuge operations. Invasive-species removal at Kahili Beach (Rock Quarry’s), where the Kilauea Stream meets the ocean is an example project.

Birds of Kilauea Point

Each year, thousands of migratory seabirds use Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge for nesting, foraging, or resting. Laysan albatrosses, red-footed boobies, brown boobies, red-tailed and white-tailed tropicbirds, great frigatebirds, and wedge-tailed shearwaters all visit the refuge. In addition, migratory shorebirds, such as the kōlea, can be seen August through May. A small population of endangered nēnē were reintroduced on the refuge in the 1990s . *Ā (

red-footed booby The red-footed booby (''Sula sula'') is a large seabird of the booby family, Sulidae. Adults always have red feet, but the colour of the plumage varies. They are powerful and agile fliers, but they are clumsy in takeoffs and landings. They are f ...

, ''Sula sula'') are Kīlauea's most visible seabird. They nest in trees and shrubs, incubating their eggs by covering then with their large, webbed feet. These birds stay closer to land than other Hawaiian seabirds, typically returning to their roosts at night. *Mōlī (

, ''Phoebastria immutabilis'') navigate across thousands of miles of open ocean to return to their nesting grounds, mostly on remote Pacific islands. They have elaborate courtship rituals, which include sky-pointing, bill-clapping, and bowing. Mōlī can be seen from November to July at Kīlauea Point. *Kaupu ( black-footed albatross, ''Phoebastria nigripes'') are large, dark gray seabirds with white around bill and under eye that can occasionally be seen flying off of Kīlauea Point. Unlike the Mōlī, it prefers windswept, sandy spots away from human habitation. A large population of kaupu nest on

Midway Atoll Midway Atoll (colloquial: Midway Islands; haw, Kauihelani, translation=the backbone of heaven; haw, Pihemanu, translation=the loud din of birds, label=none) is a atoll in the North Pacific Ocean. Midway Atoll is an insular area of the Unit ...

. *Ā (

brown booby The brown booby (''Sula leucogaster'') is a large seabird of the booby family Sulidae, of which it is perhaps the most common and widespread species. It has a pantropical range, which overlaps with that of other booby species. The gregarious brow ...

, ''Sula leucogaster'') are frequently sighted fishing offshore and seen roosting along the Nā Pali Coast, but they do not nest on Kauai. In recent years, however, nesting sites have been observed on nearby islands. *Iwa (

great frigatebird The great frigatebird (''Fregata minor'') is a large seabird in the frigatebird family. There are major nesting populations in the tropical Pacific (including the Galapagos Islands) and Indian Oceans, as well as a tiny population in the South At ...

, ''Fregata minor'') are supremely adapted for flight, with a wingspan of . This bird seldom lands on the water because its short legs and long wingspan make it very difficult to take off from the water. The iwa snatches food from the water's surface or forces other birds to drop their catch - earning its

Hawaiian language Hawaiian (', ) is a Polynesian language of the Austronesian language family that takes its name from Hawaii, the largest island in the tropical North Pacific archipelago where it developed. Hawaiian, along with English, is an official language o ...

name iwa which translates to "thief". Iwa can be seen year-round at Kīlauea Point. *Koaeula (

red-tailed tropicbird The red-tailed tropicbird (''Phaethon rubricauda'') is a seabird native to tropical parts of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. One of three closely related species of tropicbird (Phaethontidae), it was described by Pieter Boddaert in 1783. Superfic ...

, ''Phaethon rubricauda'') are gull-sized birds with white plumage and long red tail streamers. Koaeula put on spectacular aerial courtship displays during their breeding season, and nest under shrubs and on cliffs. *Koaekea (

white-tailed tropicbird The white-tailed tropicbird (''Phaethon lepturus'') is a tropicbird. It is the smallest of three closely related seabirds of the tropical oceans and smallest member of the order Phaethontiformes. It is found in the tropical Atlantic, western Paci ...

, ''Phaethon lepturus'') are smaller than red-tailed tropicbirds. They nest on cliffs and can also be seen at

Waimea Canyon Waimea Canyon, also known as the Grand Canyon of the Pacific, is a large canyon, approximately ten miles (16 km) long and up to 3,000 feet (900 m) deep, located on the western side of Kauai in the Hawaiian Islands of the United States. ...

and

Nā Pali Coast State Park Nā Pali Coast State Park is a state park in the U.S. state of Hawaii, located in the center of the rugged northwest side of Kauai, the second-oldest inhabited Hawaiian island. The Nā Pali coast itself extends southwest from Kee Beach all ...

s on Kauai. They are gull-sized birds have white plumage and long tail streamers. *Nēnē ( Hawaiian goose, ''Branta sandvicensis'') have dark furrows on their cream colored necks, long legs, and reduced foot webbing. They feed on tender leaves, grasses, and berries. Nēnē disappeared from Kaua 100 years ago. With the escape of captive pairs into the wild in 1982 and active reintroduction efforts, they are now making a comeback. *Kōlea ( Pacific golden plover, ''Pluvialis fulva'') migrate to Hawaii in the fall from their arctic breeding grounds. These shorebirds establish winter feeding territories on lawns and golf courses and natural habitats in open fields. Kōlea have a habit of running in short bursts, then stopping to search for insects. The kōlea can be seen from August to April on Kauai. *Uaukani ( wedge-tailed shearwater, ''Puffinus pacificus'') spend the winter at sea, traveling as far as the Gulf of Panama, and return to Hawaii in the spring to breed. They nest in burrows that provide protection from predators and intense tropical weather. Adults leave the colony by day to fish and return at dusk to feed their chicks. At night, courting shearwaters make eerie moaning sounds, which inspired their Hawaiian name uaukani. Uaukani can be seen from March to November. *Ao (

, ''Puffinus newelli'') is a medium-sized shearwater measuring with a wing span of . It has a glossy black back and white belly and a black bill that is sharply hooked at the tip. Its claws are well adapted for burrow excavation and climbing. *Ulili (

wandering tattler The wandering tattler (''Tringa incana''; formerly ''Heteroscelus incanus'': Pereira & Baker, 2005; Banks ''et al.'', 2006), is a medium-sized wading bird. It is similar in appearance to the closely related gray-tailed tattler, ''T. brevipes''. ...

, ''Tringa incana'') is about the same size as the kōlea, from bill to tail. They are slate-gray in color with very yellow legs. *Akekeke ( ruddy turnstone, ''Arenaria interpres'') is a small shorebird easily identified by the bold black and white pattern on its wings, and its black "necklace." Named for its feeding behavior, the ruddy turnstone uses its strong neck and bill to turn over stones in search of prey. It can be seen year round on Kauai but is abundant in spring and fall.

Other Wildlife

*Groups of naia ( spinner dolphin, ''Stenella longirostris'') play close to shore in spring and summer, entertaining visitors with leaps and spins. *Endangered koholā (

humpback whale The humpback whale (''Megaptera novaeangliae'') is a species of baleen whale. It is a rorqual (a member of the family Balaenopteridae) and is the only species in the genus ''Megaptera''. Adults range in length from and weigh up to . The hump ...

, ''Megaptera novaeangliae''), which migrate from

Alaska Alaska ( ; russian: Аляска, Alyaska; ale, Alax̂sxax̂; ; ems, Alas'kaaq; Yup'ik: ''Alaskaq''; tli, Anáaski) is a state located in the Western United States on the northwest extremity of North America. A semi-exclave of the U.S., ...

to Hawaii each year to mate, give birth, and rear their young, swim offshore from December to April. Koholā can be seen offshore of Kīlauea Point from November to April. Prime time for whale watching is between January and March. *Ilio-holo-i-ka-uaua (

Hawaiian monk seal The Hawaiian monk seal (''Neomonachus schauinslandi'') is an endangered species of earless seal in the family Phocidae that is endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The Hawaiian monk seal is one of two extant monk seal species; the other is the Med ...

, ''Monachus schauinslandi'') can occasionally be seen hauling out on rocks below the cliffs. Most of these endangered seals live in the remote northwestern area of the Hawaiian Islands and are a rare sight on Hawaii's main islands. *Honu ( green turtle, ''Chelonia mydas'') sometimes bob in the waves below Kīlauea Point. Although turtles may be seen mating in Kauai waters, honu typically mate and nest at the place of their birth in the French Frigate Shoals in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

References

{{authority control National Wildlife Refuges in Hawaii Protected areas established in 1985 Protected areas of Kauai 1985 establishments in Hawaii