A non-profit Friends Group supporting the three national wildlife refuges located on Kauaʻi.
Together, Friends can do so much…
Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges (FKWR) serves as a nonprofit “Friends Group,” supporting the environmental and wildlife conservation, historic preservation and community education programs of the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Complex, which is administered by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service and includes Kīlauea Point NWR, Hanalei NWR and Hulēʻia NWR.
Our organization seeks to help by offsetting operational expenses and providing in-kind staffing assistance. Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges also manages the Friends Nature Store and Visitor Center at Kīlauea Point NWR, supports environmental education programs, administers an annual scholarship, conducts community outreach and much more!
Current Events, News and Activities
“The Quest Toward Conservation of Kauaʻi’s Honu”
Presented by Dr. Lisa Harrington and Dora Samson of Mālama i nā Honu
Our Princeville Moʻolelo free lecture series will continue Tuesday, August 11th as we welcome Dr. Lisa Harrington and Dora Samson, of Mālama i nā Honu. As an indigenous species in Hawai‘i, sea turtles play an important role in Hawaiian cultural traditions and mo‘olelo.
Traditionally, sea turtles were incorporated into native practices, religious ceremonies and diet. Shells, bones and oil were used to make fishhooks, tools, medicine and jewelry. Harvest was tightly regulated by traditional management practices of the kapu system enacted by Chiefs or Ali‘i. Historically, honu were abundant and nested throughout the entire Hawaiian Archipelago. However, after European colonization the kapu prohibition broke down and, by the 20th century, harvesting had become commercialized, causing the honu’s numbers to fall precipitously.
Today, the honu is listed as a "Threatened Species," under the Federal Endangered Species Act. Since receiving protection in 1978, they have made a marvelous comeback. Their protection while peacefully basking on the beach and spreading the word to the public of the continuing need for preservation efforts on their behalf is the mission of Mālama i nā honu.
Free Lecture: Tuesday, August 11th, 5:00-6:30pm
Princeville Community Center and on Zoom.
Hawaiian waterbirds are facing an extinction crisis.
It has recently been estimated that state-wide waterbird counts are falling at alarming rates. We need to act now to ensure that our refuges have the resources they need to support these critically endangered populations. Our partners at Pacific Birds Habitat Joint Venture recently published an info sheet detailing this crisis.
Ka Pae ʻĀina O Hawaiʻi Nei
“Ka Pae ʻĀina O Hawaiʻi Nei” is a culturally centered educational program and a community created mosaic mural that is being developed through a collaboration with the Garden Island Arts Council.
The place-based inspired mural is being developed through a series of community workshops, in which volunteers will help to create an 80-foot-long by 4-foot-high mosaic mural.
The mural will depict the topography of the entire Hawaiian Archipelago, helping us tell the geographic and cultural story of these islands and atolls, how the High Hawaiian Islands fit within this long history, and how these protected lands and waters serve as a refuge for a wide variety of native Hawaiian wildlife species.
UPDATE: The finished mural is currently being installed on the retaining wall at Kīlauea Point NWR. The Refuge will be formally presenting this gift to the public on June 6th. Make a reservation and plans to join us!
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