Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge
Encyclopedia
The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge
on the island of Kauai
in Hawaii
. It is located within the Hanalei River Valley
along the island's northern shore. The Refuge was established on 30 November 1972 for the conservation of endangered
plants and animals.
is diverted into an east and west supply ditch. It then flows northwest and irrigates approximately 186 acre (75.3 ha) of taro
and 84 acre (34 ha) of wildlife impoundments
before returning to the river. The Refuge encompasses a total area of approximately 917 acre (371.1 ha).
), alae kea (Hawaiian Coot
, Fulica alai), alae ula (Hawaiian Moorhean, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis
), koloa maoli (Hawaiian Duck
, Anas wyvilliana), and nēnē (Hawaiian Goose
, Branta sandvicensis), as well as 18 other introduced bird species.
crops. Limited access is allowed along a county river road. There are interpretive panels located at the Hanalei Valley overlook, across from the Princeville
Shopping Center. A new overlook/visitor center is planned for an area adjacent to the refuge near the existing rudimentary overlook.
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge includes the Hoopulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
. A nonprofit association conducts historic and environmental education activities for local school groups and visitors under a Special Use Permit.
National Wildlife Refuge
National Wildlife Refuge is a designation for certain protected areas of the United States managed by the United States Fish and Wildlife Service. The National Wildlife Refuge System is the world's premiere system of public lands and waters set aside to conserve America's fish, wildlife and plants...
on the island of Kauai
Kauai
Kauai or Kauai, known as Tauai in the ancient Kaua'i dialect, is geologically the oldest of the main Hawaiian Islands. With an area of , it is the fourth largest of the main islands in the Hawaiian archipelago, and the 21st largest island in the United States. Known also as the "Garden Isle",...
in Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
. It is located within the Hanalei River Valley
Hanalei River
The Hanalei River on the island of Kauai in Hawaii flows north from the eastern slopes Mount Waialeale for until entering the Pacific Ocean at Hanalei Bay as an estuary...
along the island's northern shore. The Refuge was established on 30 November 1972 for the conservation of endangered
Endangered Species Act
The Endangered Species Act of 1973 is one of the dozens of United States environmental laws passed in the 1970s. Signed into law by President Richard Nixon on December 28, 1973, it was designed to protect critically imperiled species from extinction as a "consequence of economic growth and...
plants and animals.
Geography
The Refuge is a relatively flat river valley ranging from 20 to 40 ft (6.1 to 12.2 m) above sea level and is surrounded by steep wooded hillsides up to 1000 ft (304.8 m) high. The average annual temperature is approximately 73 °F (22.8 °C), and annual rainfall usually exceeds 75 in (190.5 cm). At the southeastern end of the Refuge, water from the Hanalei RiverHanalei River
The Hanalei River on the island of Kauai in Hawaii flows north from the eastern slopes Mount Waialeale for until entering the Pacific Ocean at Hanalei Bay as an estuary...
is diverted into an east and west supply ditch. It then flows northwest and irrigates approximately 186 acre (75.3 ha) of taro
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
and 84 acre (34 ha) of wildlife impoundments
Dam
A dam is a barrier that impounds water or underground streams. Dams generally serve the primary purpose of retaining water, while other structures such as floodgates or levees are used to manage or prevent water flow into specific land regions. Hydropower and pumped-storage hydroelectricity are...
before returning to the river. The Refuge encompasses a total area of approximately 917 acre (371.1 ha).
Wildlife
The Refuge hosts four endangered waterbirds, the āeo (Hawaiian Stilt, Himantopus mexicanus knudseniBlack-winged Stilt
The Black-winged Stilt or Common Stilt is a widely distributed very long-legged wader in the avocet and stilt family . Opinions differ as to whether the birds treated under the scientific name H. himantopus ought to be treated as a single species and if not, how many species to recognize...
), alae kea (Hawaiian Coot
Hawaiian Coot
The Hawaiian Coot or alae keokeo is a species of bird in the rail family, Rallidae, that is endemic to Hawaii....
, Fulica alai), alae ula (Hawaiian Moorhean, Gallinula chloropus sandvicensis
Common Moorhen
The Common Moorhen is a bird in the Rallidae family with an almost worldwide distribution. The North and South American Committees of the AOU and the IOC have voted on or before July 2011 to split the American forms into a new species Common Gallinule, however, no other committee has voted to...
), koloa maoli (Hawaiian Duck
Hawaiian Duck
The Hawaiian Duck is a species of bird in the family Anatidae. It is endemic to the large islands of Hawaii. Some authorities treat it as an island subspecies of the Mallard, based on their capacity to produce fertile hybrids, but it appears well distinct and capability of hybridization is...
, Anas wyvilliana), and nēnē (Hawaiian Goose
Hawaiian Goose
The Nene, also known as Nēnē and Hawaiian Goose, is a species of goose endemic to the Hawaiian Islands. The official bird of the state of Hawaii, the Nene is exclusively found in the wild on the islands of Maui, Kauai and Hawaii...
, Branta sandvicensis), as well as 18 other introduced bird species.
Public use
Refuge wetlands are closed to the public to protect the endangered waterbirds and taroTaro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
crops. Limited access is allowed along a county river road. There are interpretive panels located at the Hanalei Valley overlook, across from the Princeville
Princeville, Hawaii
Princeville is a census-designated place on the north shore of the island of Kauai in Kauai County, Hawaii, United States. The population was 1,698 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Princeville is located at ....
Shopping Center. A new overlook/visitor center is planned for an area adjacent to the refuge near the existing rudimentary overlook.
Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge includes the Hoopulapula Haraguchi Rice Mill, which is on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
. A nonprofit association conducts historic and environmental education activities for local school groups and visitors under a Special Use Permit.