About Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Established in 1992 to protect the wetland habitat of two endangered wetland birds, Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 700 acres and is one of the few natural wetlands remaining in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the largest lowland wetland remaining on Maui. Keālia Pond is located along the south-central coast, between the towns of Kīhei and Mā‘alaea, it is a natural basin for a 56-square mile watershed from the West Maui Mountains. The Keālia Coastal Boardwalk is a beautiful tranquil walkway and bird sanctuary, beside Mā‘alaea Bay on the south edge of Maui's central valley. A walk on the boardwalk takes you through ancient wetlands where you can watch two of Hawaii's native and endangered waterbirds - the Hawaiian coot and Hawaiian stilt. Across the highway you can see Keālia Pond where waterfowl from Asia and North America come for rest and warmer climate, including northern shoveler and northern pintail. The Pacific golden plover migrates from Alaska, and other birds that come for the winter are the wandering tattler and ruddy turnstone. The seasonal conditions that occur at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge make it a notable place for people to observe Hawai‘i's endangered wetland birds, along with a diversity of feathered visitors from as far away as Alaska and Canada, and occasionally from Asia.
How to Get There
The refuge office is located about a mile north of the town of Kihei. Look for the familiar U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo (with the dark blue fish and goose) at the entrance, located at milepost 6 of Mokulele Highway (Highway 311). The office is less than 0.5 miles down this road. Parking is limited; groups of more than 20 people please phone ahead.
Driving directions (Google Maps) →Plan Your Visit to Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Heading to Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge? A few things to know before you go:
- Reservations: popular sites fill up fast — check Recreation.gov 6 months in advance
- Fees: day-use and camping fees vary; check current rates on the official park page
- Trash & pack-out: follow Leave No Trace principles
- Wildlife: store food in bear boxes where provided; never feed wildlife
- Weather: the 5-day forecast above is updated every 6 hours; verify just before you go
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a reservation for Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge?
No central reservation system listed for Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge. Check the official page (https://www.recreation.gov/recarea/1449) for the latest entry policy and availability.
How do I get to Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge?
The refuge office is located about a mile north of the town of Kihei. Look for the familiar U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service logo (with the dark blue fish and goose) at the entrance, located at milepost 6 of Mokulele Highway (Highway 311). The office is less than 0.5 miles down this road. Parking is limited; groups of more than 20 people please phone ahead.
How do I contact Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge?
You can reach the park at phone: 808-875-1582 or email: kealiapondnwr@fws.gov.
References & Official Resources
