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Activities
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NATURE
PRESERVES AHUKINI STATE RECREATION PIEREnd of Ahukini Road (Hwy 570) off Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56), Lihue. (Lihue-Kalapaki) Ocean pier fishing. Pole fishing and crab netting only. 0.9 acre. ALAKAI SWAMP WILDERNESS PRESERVE (PART OF THE NA PALI-KONA FOREST RESERVE) Accessible by trail only. 1/4 mile north of the Na Pali-Kona Forest Reserve Entrance. Kokee Road (Hwy 550). (West Side) The once-fiery crater at the top of Mt. Waialeale is now the Alakai Swamp - a magnificent bog located in a wet depression below Mt. Waialeale summit - a superior wildland that is the highest and largest high-elevation swamp in the world. A trail leads across the swamp through scrub native rain forest and shallow bogs. The swamp is home to seldom seen rare plants and native birds and there are excellent opportunities for bird and botany observation. The trail ends at a vista called "Kilohana" on the edge of Wainiha Pali. On a clear day, the views of Wainiha and Hanalei Valleys provide for an unforgettable experience. If you hike this route, be sure to wear appropriate clothing. While there is boardwalk, the trail is often wet, slippery and very muddy. The seven rivers that trail out from Alakai Swamp and down to the sea include the Waimea River, Hawaii's longest river. DEPARTMENT OF LAND AND NATURAL RESOURCES Division of Forestry and Wildlife 3060 Eiwa Street, Rm 306 Lihue, HI 96766 (Lihue-Kalapaki) Tel. (808) 274-3433 Information on Kauai's Forest Reserves, Natural Area Reserves, Na Ala Hele Trails, and Game Management Areas. Recreational Map of Kauai available for a fee. Persons wishing to receive a map must sign in and date a register sheet at the Lihue office. For mail-in request, please contact the above local office. Camping and biking pamphlets also available upon request. HAENA STATE PARK End of Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56), Haena. (North Shore) Scenic wildland park. Viewing of wet caves - ancient sea caves formed during a higher stand of sea, probably 4,000 years ago; tradition credits Pele the volcano goddess as having dug the caves in her search for a new home. Beach-related activities, shore fishing, viewing of spectacular Na Pali Coast and swimming at Kee Beach; lifeguard services. Trailhead for 11-mile Kalalau Trail. 6.7 acres HANALEI NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Viewed from the Hanalei Valley Overlook, just past the Princeville Turnoff on Highway 56 (Kuhio Hwy) across from the Princeville Shopping Center. Note: Visitors can get marvelous views of wildlife by driving along Ohiki Road, a county river road. Just after crossing the large Hanalei Bridge, continue driving straight onto Ohiki Road. Public access into the refuge is prohibited. (North Shore) One of the most photographed spots in Hawaii, Hanalei Valley - an enchanted place. Established as a Wildlife Refuge in 1972 to provide habitat for native Hawaiian waterbirds, including the native Hawaiian duck, coot, moorhen, and stilt. Over 900 acres have been set aside to allow native waterbirds to reclaim their ancient nesting grounds. Taro is grown on the refuge by local farmers, continuing a practice that stretches back over 1,000 years in the Valley. Like the waterbirds, this tradition is endangered today. Since 1900 the acreage planted in taro has declined by over 95 percent in Hawaii. On July 30, 1998, the Hanalei River which starts high on the slopes of Mount Waialeale and flows over 16 miles through Hanalei Valley to Hanalei Bay, was designated as an American Heritage River, one of only 14 rivers nationwide selected to receive this classification. HAWAII STATE PARKS Island of Kauai District Office Department of Land & Natural Resources 3060 Eiwa Street, Rm. 306 Lihue, HI 96766-1875 (Lihue-Kalapaki) Tel. (808) 274-3444 Information on state parks and natural area reserves on Kauai. HAWAIIAN AND PACIFIC ISLANDS NWR COMPLEX Fish and Wildlife Service U.S. Department of the Interior 300 Ala Moana Boulevard, Room 5-231 Honolulu, HI 96813 (Island of Oahu) Tel. (808) 792-9540 Information about national wildlife refuges in the Hawaiian Islands and the Pacific. HULEIA NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Viewed from the Menehune Fishpond Overlook. From Lihue, go south on Rice Street (which turns into Waapa Road) towards Nawiliwili Harbor, near Kalapaki Beach. Approximately 1/2 mile from the Harbor, turn right at the Menehune Fish Pond sign onto Hulemalu Road. Continue 0.6 mile to the Overlook on your left. To protect sensitive species, the refuge is not open to the public. (Lihue-Kalapaki) The Refuge includes 238 acres of wooded slopes and bottomlands along the Huleia River purchased in 1973 by the Fish and Wildlife Service to provide habitat for Hawaii's endangered waterbirds. KEAHUA FORESTRY ARBORETUM (PART OF THE LIHUE-KOLOA FOREST RESERVE) Located two miles beyond the University of Hawaii Wailua Experiment Station on Highway 580. (East Side) The Arboretum was developed as an outdoor nature classroom that illustrates the benefits of forest management, including examples of both native and introduced tree species. Includes groves of painted gum trees, scattered ohia lehua, dense tangles of hibiscus and contains a wayside picnic stream pool swimming area. The Kuilau-Ridge Trail and Moalepe Trail start from this area. KILAUEA POINT NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE Located on the northernmost tip of Kauai. From Lihue drive north on Kuhio Highway (Hwy 56) for approximately 23 miles to the town of Kilauea, turn right on Kolo Road, then left on Kilauea Road to the Refuge entrance. (North Shore) Tel. (808) 828-1413 One of the most spectacular sections of shoreline in the Hawaiian Islands. One of the best places on the main Hawaiian islands to view the nesting colonies of Central Pacific seabirds against a dramatic backdrop of steep cliffs plunging to the ocean. Built in 1913, Kilauea Lighthouse stands as a monument to Hawaii's colorful past - placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Visitor Center features interpretive displays and dioramas about native Hawaiian habitats and wildlife. Bookstore. Admission charge. Call (808) 828-0168. KOKEE STATE PARK 15 miles north of Kekaha on Kokee Road (Hwy 550) at 3600 feet elevation; adjoins Waimea Canyon State Park. (West Side) Commanding views of the lush, amphitheater-headed Kalalau Valley from 4000 feet elevation. Wildland picnicking, tent camping, trailer camping and lodging. Hiking in native rain forest and along rim of Waimea Canyon; additional trails in neighboring forest reserves. Excellent area for study of native plants, forest birds and insects. Seasonal plum picking and trout fishing. Pig hunting in public hunting area. 4,345.0 acres. KUKUI O LONO PARK GARDENS Papalina Road Kalaheo, HI 96741 (South Shore) Tel. (808) 332-9151 One of Kauai's most scenic parks. Serene Japanese Gardens, an exhibit of old Hawaii, and spectacular panoramic views. NA AINA KAI BOTANICAL GARDENS P. O. Box 1134 4101 Wailapa Road Kilauea, HI 96754 (North Shore) Tel. (808) 828-0525 Na Aina Kai ("Lands by the Sea") is as close to Eden as you'll get. Spanning 240 acres, Na Aina Kai is a living mosaic of 12 diverse and bounteous gardens, a hardwood plantation, and orchards brimming with exotic fruit. Tours are offered as well as garden and beach venues for private, corporate, and cultural events. Reservations are strongly encouraged. NA PALI COAST STATE PARK Trailhead for Kalalau Trail is at the end of Kuhio Highway (Hwy. 56) in Haena State Park on the North Shore; Kalalau Valley also accessible by commercial boats from May 15 through September 15; Milolii (May 15 through Labor Day) and Nualolo Kai accessible by boat. (West Side) Exceptionally scenic sea cliffs and valleys that can be viewed from land along the coastal Kalalau Trail or by air and sea with commercial operators. Primitive recreational experience with choice of a day hike to Hanakapiai (2 miles one-way) or an 11-mile backpacking trip to a primitive camp at Kalalau and overnight stopovers at Hanakapiai and Hanakoa. Trail traverses high sea cliffs and lush valleys with plunging waterfalls and is strenuous. The trail to the falls and beyond Hanakapiai is recommended for experienced hikers only. Primitive camping provided at Milolii also. Knowledge and skills of primitive outdoor living required for backpacking and camping along this coast. Day expeditions to Nualolo Kai by commercial boats. Shore fishing and seasonal goat hunting. Ocean conditions are unpredictable and can be dangerous - swimming and wading are not recommended. Day use permits required on Kalalau Trail beyond Hanakapiai Valley. Boat landing restrictions - inquire at district office. No drinking water available - all water must be treated. 6175.0 acres. NATIONAL TROPICAL BOTANICAL GARDEN P. O. Box 340 Lawai, HI 96765 (South Shore) Tel. (808) 332-7324 The National Tropical Botanical Garden is a non-profit organization dedicated to the conservation of tropical plant diversity, particularly rare and endangered species. The NTBG includes four gardens and three preserves in Hawaii and one in south Florida. One of the four gardens in Hawaii is on Maui and three are on Kauai. Two of the Kauai Gardens are in the Lawai Valley on Kauai's south shore & one is on Kauai's north shore. NTBG literature provides the following overview on its Kauai gardens. For more information, please visit the NTBG website.
NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGES ON KAUAI |
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