Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters
of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Hawaiian Islands
Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects these whales and their
habitat. From November through April, visitors to the sanctuary can see whales
from shore and at sea. Visitors are provided a close up view of the whales and
their habitat by engaging in activities such as wildlife watching, surfing,
diving, and snorkeling. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should
stop by either Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Kihei Visitor Center or Kaua’i
Ocean Discovery.

Every winter, thousands of humpback whales travel to the warm, shallow waters of Hawai‘i to mate, give birth, and raise their young. Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary protects these whales and their habitat. From November through April, visitors to the sanctuary can see whales from shore and at sea. Visitors are provided a close up view of the whales and their habitat by engaging in activities such as wildlife watching, surfing, diving, and snorkeling. To learn more about this sanctuary, visitors should stop by either Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale Kihei Visitor Center or Kaua’i Ocean Discovery.

A humpback whale breaches in Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

"Whale Breaching", HIHWNMS/NOAA Fisheries Permit #782-1438

Established in 1992 to protect the wetland habitat of two endangered wetland
birds, Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 700
acres and is one of the few natural wetlands remaining in the Hawaiian
Islands. It is the largest lowland wetland remaining on Maui. Keālia Pond is
located along the south-central coast, between the towns of Kīhei and
Mā‘alaea, it is a natural basin for a 56-square mile watershed from the West
Maui Mountains.

The Keālia Coastal Boardwalk is a beautiful tranquil walkway and bird
sanctuary, beside Mā‘alaea Bay on the south edge of Maui's central valley. A
walk on the boardwalk takes you through ancient wetlands where you can watch
two of Hawaii's native and endangered waterbirds - the Hawaiian coot and
Hawaiian stilt. Across the highway you can see Keālia Pond where waterfowl
from Asia and North America come for rest and warmer climate, including
northern shoveler and northern pintail. The Pacific golden plover migrates
from Alaska, and other birds that come for the winter are the wandering
tattler and ruddy turnstone.

The seasonal conditions that occur at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
make it a notable place for people to observe Hawai‘i's endangered wetland
birds, along with a diversity of feathered visitors from as far away as Alaska
and Canada, and occasionally from Asia.

Established in 1992 to protect the wetland habitat of two endangered wetland birds, Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge encompasses approximately 700 acres and is one of the few natural wetlands remaining in the Hawaiian Islands. It is the largest lowland wetland remaining on Maui.  Keālia Pond is located along the south-central coast, between the towns of Kīhei and Mā‘alaea, it is a natural basin for a 56-square mile watershed from the West Maui Mountains. The Keālia Coastal Boardwalk is a beautiful tranquil walkway and bird sanctuary, beside Mā‘alaea Bay on the south edge of Maui's central valley. A walk on the boardwalk takes you through ancient wetlands where you can watch two of Hawaii's native and endangered waterbirds - the Hawaiian coot and Hawaiian stilt. Across the highway you can see Keālia Pond where waterfowl from Asia and North America come for rest and warmer climate, including northern shoveler and northern pintail. The Pacific golden plover migrates from Alaska, and other birds that come for the winter are the wandering tattler and ruddy turnstone. The seasonal conditions that occur at Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge make it a notable place for people to observe Hawai‘i's endangered wetland birds, along with a diversity of feathered visitors from as far away as Alaska and Canada, and occasionally from Asia.

Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary

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Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge