Hanalei NWR Viewpoint
Update 7/06/22:
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Viewpoint Opening Anticipated for Fall 2023
Hanalei, Kauaʻi, Hawaiʻi –The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) would like to update the public regarding the opening of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Viewpoint.
The Hanalei NWR Viewpoint is a 5.4-acre parcel located along Kūhiō Highway in Princeville that includes two viewpoints of the greater Hanalei Valley and Bay, Hanalei NWR, and the Halele‘a Forest Reserve. The site also includes parking for 25 cars, short-term parking for a maximum of three buses, perimeter fencing and entry gate, signs, interpretive displays, vault toilets, seating, and native plantings that will provide residents and visitors with opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Hanalei Valley and the Hanalei NWR.
The Service is awaiting the completion of the acquisition documents submittal and recording with the State of Hawai‘i and the issuance of a TMK, officially separating the property from the adjacent subdivision and incorporating it as a part of the Hanalei NWR. Additional work is being done by Service staff to complete the construction of facilities at the site, including the installation of additional fencing and irrigation, as well as the removal of hazardous trees from the landscape for safety and security. Once these remaining items have been completed, a tentative opening of the site to the public is planned for Fall 2023. Please check our website for additional information as we will continue to provide updates there when more information on the planned opening of the site becomes available.
Hanalei NWR, which is one of three refuges within the Kauaʻi NWR Complex, provides one of the most important wetland habitat sites in the State of Hawai‘i for the recovery of the endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian common gallinule), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
With its patchwork quilt of loʻi kalo and wetland management units, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest of Kaua‘i’s three national wildlife refuges. The 917-acre Refuge was established in 1972 to recover threatened and endangered species, including endangered waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat. Learn more about the refuge by visiting our website: www.fws.gov/hanalei or call Jennifer Waipa at (808) 828-1413 x301.
Update 6/17/22:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highways Division (HDOT) is pleased to announce the construction of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Viewpoint is nearly done.
The Hanalei NWR Viewpoint is a 5.4-acre parcel located along Kūhiō Highway in Princeville that includes two viewpoints of the greater Hanalei Valley and Bay, Hanalei NWR, and the Halele‘a Forest Reserve. The site also includes parking for 25 cars, short-term parking for a maximum of three buses, perimeter fencing and entry gate, signs, interpretive displays, vault toilets, seating, and native plantings that will provide residents and visitors with opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Hanalei Valley and the Hanalei NWR.
Work remains with contractors to finish landscaping and highway striping. Additional management preparations and operations plans are being finalized and we are working on obtaining a final permit from the County in order to release the site from the rest of the surrounding subdivision. Once all of these remaining items have been completed, a tentative opening of the site to the public is proposed for late Fall 2022, which will coincide with the Hanalei NWRʻs 50th anniversary.
Hanalei NWR, which is one of three refuges within the Kauaʻi NWR Complex, provides one of the most important wetland habitat sites in the State of Hawai‘i for the recovery of the endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian common gallinule), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
With its patchwork quilt of loʻi kalo and wetland management units, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest of Kaua‘i’s three national wildlife refuges. The 917-acre Refuge was established in 1972 to recover threatened and endangered species, including endangered waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat. Learn more about the refuge by visiting our website: www.fws.gov/hanalei or call Jennifer Waipa at (808) 828-1413 x301.
12/21/21:
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) in partnership with the State of Hawai‘i Department of Transportation Highways Division (HDOT) has commenced with preparations for the construction of the Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) Viewpoint along Kūhi‘ō Highway in Princeville. The project is expected to be completed in summer of 2022. Construction updates will be provided as needed to ensure the public stays informed about any activities that may temporarily impact the highway.
The Hanalei NWR Viewpoint is a 5.4-acre parcel that includes two viewpoints with views of the greater Hanalei Valley and Bay, Hanalei NWR, and the Halele‘a Forest Reserve. The site will also include parking for 25 cars, short-term parking for a maximum of three buses, perimeter fencing and entry gate, signs, interpretive displays, vault toilets, seating, and native plantings that will provide residents and visitors with opportunities to learn about the natural and cultural history of the Hanalei Valley and the Hanalei NWR.
An Environmental Assessment (EA) under NEPA and Section 106/Chapter 6E consultation was conducted to evaluate potential effects of the project and gather public input that was addressed and incorporated through this process, which also included several public meetings during the official public comment period in 2019. The Service also engaged in a multi-faceted approach to informing and gathering information on the proposed project including hosting community scoping meetings starting in 2017 which were announced through fliers, community radio, emails, newspapers, flyers, and through the Refuge social media and website, as well as meetings with specific partners and interested parties including elected officials, the County of Kaua‘i, and Hanalei taro farmers. A Finding of No Significant Impact (FONSI) was issued on November 8, 2019. For more information on the project, the EA and FONSI are available on the Refuge website. Anyone with questions should contact Jennifer Waipa, Visitor Services Manager, at (808) 635-0925, or jennifer_waipa@fws.gov.
Hanalei NWR, which is one of three refuges within the Kauaʻi NWR Complex, provides one of the most important wetland habitat sites in the State of Hawai‘i for the recovery of the endangered koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian common gallinule), ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), and threatened nēnē (Hawaiian goose).
With its patchwork quilt of loʻi kalo and wetland management units, Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is the oldest of Kaua‘i’s three national wildlife refuges. The 917-acre Refuge was established in 1972 to recover threatened and endangered species, including endangered waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat. Learn more about the refuge by visiting their website or by calling Jennifer Waipa at (808) 828-1413 x2228.
