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Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
Kauai, Hawaii
The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge
is located on the northern tip of the island of Kauai. It
is one of three wildlife refuges that make up the
Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex and one of the few
Hawaiian wildlife refuges open to the public.
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About the Kilauea Point Refuge
The
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established
in 1985 after the property was transferred from the
United States Coast Guard. The refuge is 203 acres in size
and it is located on the rugged northern tip of the island of Kauai.
The Kilauea Lighthouse, founded in 1913 and operated for more then 60
years, is located within the refuge.
Visiting the Refuge
The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is one of the few Hawaiian
wildlife refuges open to the public, and it is popular with visitors
for its beautiful views and hiking trails overlooking the Pacific Ocean.
Visitors can view humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, spinner dolphins,
and Hawaiian and migratory birds such as the Pacific Golden Plover
the Laysan albatross, and the Nene, which is the state bird of Hawaii.
Proposal to Expand the Refuge
In 2004 the United States Congress approved the Kilauea Point
Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act to protect endangered Hawaiian
birds and manage the coastal and aquatic environment in the area.
In May of 2007 the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) held a public
meeting in the Kilauea Elementary School cafeteria to discuss
the possibility of expanding the 203 acre refuge by adding
either 55, 179, or 202 acres. The Kilauea Neighborhood Association
had concerns that expanding the refuge might reduce public access
to the beaches, streams, and other areas in the proposed expansion
areas. The FWS said they have no intention of closing any beaches
and they pointed out much of the expansion area is private property
now, and property owners could close the area to trespassers at any time.
A decision is expected to be made by July of 2007.
See also:
Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex
Photo of Kilauea Point
Photo of the Kilauea Lighthouse
Other Kauai Attractions
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Related Links
Kauai Island - Main Menu
The Islands of Hawaii
Forum for Visitors to Hawaii
Hawaii Travel Newsletter
Elsewhere on the Web
Kilauea Point Refuge - Official Web Site
Kilauea Point Natural History Association
Planning the Kilauea Point Refuge Expansion
Honolulu Advertiser Refuge Expansion Article
Honolulu Star Bulletin Refuge Expansion Article
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