The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

The island of Kauai has many tourist destinations and special attractions. One that you should be sure to visit if you are in the area is Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Kilauea Lighthouse was built in 1913 and used as a navigational shipping aid between Hawaii and the orient. In 1976 the Coast Guard deactivated the lighthouse and replaced it with an automated beacon. In 1979, the lighthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic places. In 1985, the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established to protect the native Hawaiian seabirds and nene geese that live here.

Kilauea Lighthouse sits at the northernmost point of the main Hawaiian islands and has the most spectacular view of the entire north coast of the island. There’s a beautiful little bay that sits to its west as well that, if it weren’t for it being a protected wildlife refuge, would probably be teeming with snorkelers and divers.

Laysan albatrosses and wedge-tailed shearwaters are among the protected birds that live and breed here. The lighthouse is populated by thousands of birds including the red-footed booby, which incubates its eggs with its feet, and the nene, Hawaii’s indigenous goose. If you look across the bay from the lighthouse, the hillside is dotted with little white birds who are nesting. Don’t forget to also look around and above you for a glimpse of the long red and white tails of some of the birds.

Hawaiian monk seals, green turtles, and humpback whales can also be found in the waters off Kilauea point. This is a great place to spot whales during the winter as well as dolphins, monk seals, and turtles.

The Kilauea Lighthouse is located halfway between Kapa’a and Princeville. You can view the breathtaking sights of the ocean and cliffs below and watch the seabirds in their natural habitat from the lookout. For a closer view and to learn more about the refuge you can drive down closer to the lighthouse and pay a $5 entry fee per person. This brings you into the refuge and allows access to interactive panels, the visitor center, and bookstore. The money goes towards maintaining both the 200 acre wildlife refuge and the lighthouse. It’s worth a visit!

The refuge is open daily 10:00 am to 4:00 pm and closed major holidays.

Photo courtesy of elisfanclub (Flickr)