Kakahaiʻa National Wildlife Refuge

Kakahaiʻa National Wildlife Refuge is a 44-acre protected wetland on Molokaʻi’s south coast, established in 1977 to safeguard endangered native waterbirds, wintering migratory wetland birds, and the remains of an ancient Hawaiian fishpond. Its core is a spring-fed 15-acre coastal freshwater marsh, with a 5.5-acre managed impoundment added in 1983 to improve shallow-water habitat for wading birds. The refuge supports 12 known bird species, including the endangered Hawaiian stilt and Hawaiian coot, but faces pressure from invasive mammals and introduced plants. Management emphasizes predator control, water levels, and waterbird recovery, while public access remains limited.

Kaunakakai, Hawaii · United States