Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge

Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is approximately 241 acres and was established in 1973 under the Endangered Species Act to recover threatened and endangered species including the koloa maoli ( Hawaiian duck, Anas wyvilliana ), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o ( Hawaiian coot, Fulica alai ), ‘alae ‘ula ( Hawaiian gallinule, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis ), ae‘o ( Hawaiian stilt, Himantopus mexicanus ) and the nēnē ( Hawaiian goose, Branta sandvicensis ). Managed wetlands within the Hulē‘ia River Valley provide for the birds’ lifecycle history requirements. In addition, 26 other bird species (18 of which are introduced) also use the Refuge. The Refuge is located in a relatively flat valley along the Hulē‘ia River bordered by a steep wooded hillside. This land was used for wetland agriculture including taro and rice but is managed today as a refuge for wildlife. In order to protect the endangered species that live in Hulē‘ia NWR, it is closed to the public but can be viewed at an overlook maintained by the State of Hawai‘i at the historic Alakoko (Menehune) Fishpond.