Celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week

By Jennifer Waipa

Hanalei Valley. Photo by Dan Zimmerman/FWS

The Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex — Kīlauea Point, Hanalei and Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuges — is celebrating National Wildlife Refuge Week from Oct. 9 to 16.

National Wildlife Refuges are part of a network of lands and waters that protect wildlife and their habitats. Refuges have been part of Hawai‘i’s natural heritage since the protection of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands as a bird sanctuary in 1909. Refuges protect sensitive areas and species, aid against erosion and flooding, and purify air and water. They also enrich human lives and provide $3.2 billion into the national economy and support more than 41,000 jobs (Banking on Nature).

Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 to conserve migratory bird nesting colonies, federally listed species, and native coastal strand, riparian and aquatic biological diversity, as well as to support fish and wildlife-oriented recreation. The refuge is home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the Main Hawaiian Islands and the historic Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse. In 1988, the refuge was expanded to include Nihokū and Mōkōlea Point.

Hanalei and Hulē‘ia National Wildlife Refuges were established in the early 1970s to recover threatened and endangered species, and have a particular focus on native waterbird species.

To celebrate National Wildife Refuge week there will be a series of free events offered to increase awareness about local conservation issues and connect the local community with these refuges, their staff and partners, and the species and habitats that are native to the Hawaiian Islands. Visit our Facebook page at facebook.com/KilaueaPointNWR/ to learn more.

Virtual Lecture Series

Kīlauea Lighthouse. Photo by Jennifer Waipa/FWS

Hawaiʻi State Public Library System and the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex presents: Wildlife Wednesdays, which is a three-week lunch and learn series Oct. 6, 13 and 20 from 12 to 1 p.m. Each week will be a unique presentation from conservation organizations across the state. “Wildlife Wednesdays” virtual series features speakers from Pacific Rim Conservation, Conservation Dogs of Hawai‘i, and U.S. Geological Survey bat research program.

Registration is required. Visit librarieshawaii.org to pre-register.

Pacific Rim Conservation — Oct. 6 (12 to 1 p.m.)

Solving the Hawaiian bird extinction crisis through invasive species removal and climate change adaptation. Biologists from Pacific Rim Conservation will share stories from their work across Hawai’i and the Pacific to protect endangered bird species from the threats of invasive species and climate change.

Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi Protecting Wildlife — Oct. 13 (12 to 1 p.m.)

Learn how our four-legged friends are serving on the front lines of conservation. These dog-handler teams are working to restore and protect wildlife and ecosystems in the Hawaiian archipelago.

USGS: ʻŌpeʻapeʻa: The Hawaiian Hoary Bat — Oct. 20 (12 to 1 p.m.)

Hulēʻia Stream. Photo by Fish and Wildlife Service

Researchers will reveal exciting research projects involving the elusive ʻōpeʻapeʻa, our native endangered Hawaiian Hoary Bat.

For more information or if you need an auxiliary aid/service or other accommodation due to a disability, call 808-831-6878 as soon as possible prior to the program date. We will make every attempt to fulfill all requests for accommodations. All programs are subject to change.

Free Learning Kits for Kids

Grab-&-Go Wildlife Learning Kits available from Princeville to Hanapepe Oct. 9

In partnership with Friends of Kauaʻi Wildlife Refuges, Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery at Kukui Grove Center, and Hawaiʻi State Public Library System, 350 learning kits will be disseminated from five locations across the island to encourage family learning during fall break. The theme for these kits is Wonderful Wildlife. Each kit is filled with engaging activities, wildlife coloring book, stickers, crafts and a felt eye mask of a woodland or sea animal!

Learning kit distribution locations (while supplies last):

• Princeville PublicLibrary – 9 to 11 a.m.
• Kong Long Center Courtyard, Kīlauea – 9 to 11 a.m.
• Kauaʻi Ocean Discovery Center at Kukui Grove Center – 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i at Kukui Grove Center – 1 p.m. until pau
• Hanapepe Public Library – 9 to 11 a.m.

Nihokū Predator-Proff Fence Hike

Wednesday, Oct. 13 (8 to 11:30 a.m.)

Space is Limited-Reservations Required (email Kathleen_viernes@fws.gov). Join Refuge Ranger Kathleen Viernes for a strenuous hike to view Kaua‘i’s first predator-proof fence on the slopes of Nihokū. Learn about efforts being made to help recover Hawai‘i’s seabird populations and contribute to native plant restoration.

Fee-Free Day at Kīlauea Point

Saturday, Oct. 16 ⁽10 a.m. to 4 p.m.)

Space is limited, and reservations required (recreation.gov).

Come enjoy the sights and sounds of Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. COVID-safe keiki activities including Jr. Ranger activities, chalk art, and blue goose game. Come learn about our Hanalei and Hūleʻia Wetland Refuges at our booth featuring information about our endangered waterbirds, wetland management techniques, predators, avian botulism, detector dogs, and more.

Learn more about the refuges at www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint and www.fws.gov/hanalei and www.fws.gov/huleia. The most up-to-date event information is on Facebook at www.facebook.com/KilaueaPointNWR/

• Jennifer Waipa is the Visitor Services Supervisory Park Ranger at the Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. For more information about any of these events contact, Environmental Education Park Ranger Christa McLeod at Christa_Mcleod@fsw.gov