Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge to Begin Overlook Renovation

Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge

Starting Tuesday, the overlook by the entrance gate at Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge will be closed for a week for renovation work, according to a press release by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service.

A contractor will be addressing safety issues along the fenceline, and work will include replacing the fence to comply with current safety standards.

“While we realize there will be an impact to both locals and visitors alike, we are concerned with public safety, and maintenance is a critical part of managing our public areas” said Shannon Smith, project leader of the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex.

Smith said she the refuge’s staff greatly appreciates the patience and support the community has shown with the restoration of the Kilauea Lighthouse and the recent announcement to close the Refuge on Sundays and Mondays due to staffing and budget shortages.

“It is our hope that these changes and improvements will benefit the public for years to come,” she said. “We encourage folks to visit us during the new operating hours of Tuesday – Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4p.m.”

The Refuge was established to preserve and enhance seabird nesting colonies and is home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the main Hawaiian Islands. Visitors also have a chance to view spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, native Hawaiian coastal plants and Hawaii’s state bird – the endangered nene, or Hawaiian goose.

The Refuge is also home to the historic Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse which sits on the northernmost point of Kaua‘i allowing visitors to view a piece of history as well as the many birds congregating around the cliffs.

Visit www.fws.gov/Kilaueapoint for more information on the refuge.