MAPS & DIRECTIONS
These maps and directions are provided only as a guide to help visiting birders locate the sites which are included in the Where to Watch Birds in Hawai'i section. The maps correspond with each island and site number, e.g. Map 1 is Kaua'i, Site 1 is Ke'e Beach and Ha'ena Point. Map 1, Site 3 is Kilauea Point on Kaua'i. Midway is the only island in the NW Chain with a link, as this is the only island open to the public in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Small maps are linked to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Website. Large maps are linked to the Where to Watch Birds in Hawai'i pages. Please note that any sketches are intended as a guide only.
For detailed site directions and map details it is essential to buy one of the many up-to-date maps that exist for Hawai'i, as it is beyond the scope of this site to have the most recent close-up details for each site.
Of course areas and sites change, some for the better, but mostly for the worse and Hawai'i's natural areas are no different and are constantly being altered and changed too. To ensure the maps and directions are as recent and up-to-date as possible, please notify us of any changes and alterations that you encounter if you visit any of the sites listed here, E-mail:
Click Here for Larger Map of Kaua'i
Site
4) Wailua Reservoir & Arboretum.
10) Major's Bay and Kinikin Ditch
11) Kawaiele State Waterbird Sanctuary
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Site
1) Kapiolani Park & Diamond Head.
7) Kualoa regional Park and Mokoli'i Island.
9) Waipio Peninsular / Soccer Complex.
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Site
Click Here for Larger Map of Lana'i
Site
Click Here for Larger Map of Maui
Site
6) Polipoli Springs State recreation Area.
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Site
1.1) Ke'e Beach & Ha'ena Point: Reached at the very western extreme of Highway 560 along Kauai's North Shore, about ten miles beyond Hanalei.
1.2) Hanalei NWR: Located on the North Shore of Kaua'i between Princeville and Hanalei Town on the South side of the Hanalei River.
1.3) Kilauea Point NWR: Located on the North Shore of Kauai, drive through Kilauea Town and follow Lighthouse road to its end where there is a turnaround and the Refuge entrance.
1.4) Wailua Reservoir & Arboretum: Located on the East side of Kauai, Wailua Reservoir and the Arboretum are reached by turning inland just North of Wailua Bridge on Rout 56, follow Kuomoo Road (route 580) up past Opaekaa Falls, through Wailua Homesteads until you reach the 4 mile marker post, which is just before an agricultural field station on the right hand side. A little past this there is a small parking lot on the right and the reservoir is just past the gate. Keahua Forestry Arboretum is found by continuing past the reservoir for a further couple of miles, the road has recently been paved and so the once rather bumpy and pot-holed journey is now a nice smooth ride. At the entrance to the arboretum there is a parking lot on one side of a small ford and another parking lot on the other side. it is ok to cross the stream in dry conditions (if you can see the edge stones on the crossing), but if the water is high it is best to park your car on the nearside parking lot. After the stream crossing the road worsens and it is not adviseable to continue unless you have 4-wheel drive.
1.5) Nawiliwili & Ninini Point: Situated South-East of Lihue, Nawiliwili Harbor is the main port for the Island of Kaua'i. Nawiliwili Lighthouse at Ninini Point is reached by an access road near the airport. From highway 51 go South from the airport as if heading towards Kalapaki Bay/Nawiliwili harbor or the Marriot Hotel. After about 500 yards there is a small entrance on the left hand side with a gatehouse. Here you will be asked where you are going, but they are fine with people going to the lighthouse (it is a public area). The road follows the edge of the airport runway and eventually runs through a golf course and out to the lighthouse. There is a fork in the road, go left, to the right is a brew pub.
1.6) Kaua'i Lagoons: Kaua'i Lagoons is adjacent to Nawiliwili Harbor and lies between Kalapaki Bay and Lihue Airfield. It encompasses a golf course and a large lake. It is best reached through the Marriot Hotel grounds near Kalapaki Bay, where there is ample parking in the grounds. It is well signposted off highway 51 which runs from Lihue to Kalapaki Bay and back to Lihue in a loop. The large hotel entrance is on the Eastern side of the road.
1.7) Poi'pu Area: Poipu on the South side of Kauai. Reservoirs that can be seen from the road or public rights of way are off Highway 520. Mauka reservoir is the easiest to find and can be viewed from the "Tunnel of Trees" - an avenue of Eucolyptus Trees, signed highway 520, which runs from highway 56 down to Koloa and Poipu. The reservoir lies on the West side of the road where there are a couple of small pullouts to stop, don't stop on the highway. Other areas in Poipu are found by following the signs to Poipu and exploring from there. Mahaulepu Beach is found by continuing through Koloa and Poipu Road, past the hotels (still on Poipu Road) until the paved road runs out and a dirt track continues. Follow this for about 1 mile then turn right, continue for about another mile, past a small check-in station (usually unmanned) and down to the beach area.
1.8) Port Allen Area: To reach Port Allen turn South off highway 50 to the harbor (it is sign posted) just before Eleele at the shopping center. For Hanapepe Salt Pond continue through Hanapepe Town on route 50 and turn South just after the town, it is also signposted, and a loop road goes past the bay/harbor and the airstrip and continues to the Saltpond, it then comes back through some scrub and returns you to just opposite the harbor.
1.9) Polihale Area: Polihale is located at the very far West of Kaua'i and is reached by continuing on route 50 past Waimea and kekaha and past the Pacific Missile Range Facility, until the road ends. To the west of the "proper" road a bumpy track (signposted) carries on to Polihale. This road is very bumpy and if in a normal rental car should be driven slowly, as the potholes seem to be spaced for maximum discomfort! The road ends at a beach park with basic facilities and the start of the Na Pali Coastline.
1.10) Major's Bay and Kinikini Ditch: Area accessed via the Pacific Missile Range Facility gate at Barking Sands at the west end of Kaua'i past Waimea Town and the Kawaiele Sanctuary.
ALL visitors at the gate must sign in at the office and provide a Driving Licence, Insurance for the vehicle they are driving and in some cases their Passport. Entrance to the site will not be allowed if these documents cannot be provided. On-site directions will be issued at the gate for Major's Bay and Kinikini Ditch - follow these instructions and do not stray from the road under any circumstance.
Once at the Major's Bay parking lot, park your vehicle in the parking area and walk west along the beach past several military housing areas for about one-third of a mile (walking on sand all the way), until you reach Kinikini Ditch, a small, but fast stream flowing into the sea over a small reef. Access to the west side of the stream is only available at certain times due to low-flying military aircraft - ask about the access restrictions for the day you are visiting, access may be allowed or you may end up getting escorted from the site by military personnel. At certain times, when restrictions allow, there is a small parking lot right near the ditch and this saves the walk along the beach. Remember however to ask about access to this parking lot - again you could end up being escorted off the Base!
1.11) Kawaiele State Waterbird Sanctuary: The Sanctuary is located on the southern side of Highway 50 between Waimea Town and Barking Sands/Polihale, just past the Kekaha Waste Tip and a collection of fish ponds. The Sanctuary is open all year with parking available on sandy tracks.
1.12) Waimea & Koke'e: Take Highway 50 to Waimea Town or Kekaha Town and then follow Highway 550 uphill, both roads meet a few miles up and so it is worth taking a different route going up and down. Both are signposted from the main Highway. On the way up overlooks and trails are well sign-posted. Waimea Canyon State Park starts after about six miles. Waimea Canyon Overlook is after 10 miles. Pu'u Ka Pele Overlook is at 13 miles and Pu'u Hinahina Overlook at 14 miles. At 15 miles Koke'e State Park starts and the Museum and Restaurant are on the laft hand side (going up) by the large grass area. Kalalau Lookout is at the 18 mile marker and Pu'u O Kila Lookout is at the 19 mile marker - which is also the end of the road.
2.1) Kapiolani Park & Diamond Head: Park and Zoo found at the base of Diamond Head and the Eastern end of Waikiki between Kapahulu Avenue and Kalakaua Avenue. Diamond Head easily observed from Waikiki and accessed by bus from Kuhio Avenue in Waikiki and a twenty minute walk from the bus stop to the trail head. By car take Monsarrat Avenue from near the zoo to Diamond Head Road and take the right turn after Kapiolani Community College into the crater.
2.2) Sand Island Park: Accessed off Nimitz Highway, just along from the H1 intersection, west of the dowtown area. Drive right down the access road which passes through warehouses alongside the harbor for about 2.5 miles.
2.3) Manana & Makapu'u: Reached via Highway 72 from the Eastern end of Waikiki or Highway 61 and then 72 from downtown Honolulu.
2.4) Kaneohe Marine Base & Moku Manu: Accessed off the H3 Highway in Kaneohe. From Waikiki other route is Highway 72 around Southeast of Island and through Kailua (turn right at intersection of routes 72 and 61, route 61 returns to Honolulu). From Windward coast follow Highway 83 south and then Kaneohe Bay Drive up to Malae and Base entrance.
2.5) James Campbell NWR: The refuge is situated near the north tip of O'ahu. There are two refuge units, Kii and
Punamano. There is no public access to Punamano. There is limited public access to Kii from August 1 to February
15, see Where to Watch birds O'ahu for details.
The Kii unit of James Campbell NWR is located off Kamehameha Highway
(Route 83) between the town of Kahuku and the Turtle Bay resort at Kuilima. The refuge is located about ½
mile northeast of the highway, behind a large aquaculture operation. There are a series of gates along the entrance
to Kii. If a public tour is scheduled, the gates will be open and signs will be posted. It is not a good idea to
drive through the gates unless you are going on one of the tours - the gates could be locked behind you. If the
refuge is closed, you can pull off the road and look out over the aquaculture ponds from the roadside.
2.6) Kuli'ou'ou Valley Trail: Kuliouou Valley Trail is located in East Honolulu about 5 miles east of Kahala, just west of Hawai'i Kai. To reach the trailhead, get on Kalanianaole Highway, Route 72, and head East from Kahala or West from Hawaii Kai. Turn north, towards the mountains, on Kuliouou Road. About ½ mile north of Route 72, Kuliouou Road bends sharply to the left, then back to the right. Continue about ½ mile farther north, almost to the end of Kuliouou Road, then turn right on Kalaau Place. Continue north about ¼ mile to the end of Kala'au Place and park along the road, but not in the No Parking zone at the very end. Kuli'ou'ou Valley Trail starts right at the end of Kala'au Place. The trail follows a streambed, which is usually dry. The trail runs about 1 mile up the valley through thick, mainly non-native forest. About ¼ mile up the trail, Kuliouou Ridge Trail branches off to the right. This is a very nice hiking trail, but stick to the valley trail if you are interested in finding O'ahu 'Elepaio.
2.7) Kualoa regional Park and Mokoli'i Island: Access off Kamehameha Highway (Route 83) on the Eastern side of O'ahu between the towns of Kaaawa and Kaneohe.
2.8) Aiea Ridge Loop Trail: Accessed from Honolulu, head west on Highway 78 and take the Stadium/Aiea turn-off onto Moanalua Road. Turn right into Aiea Heights Drive at the traffic lights. Drive up the winding road through a residential area for 2.5 miles to Keaiwa Heiau State Park. The Aiea Loop Trail is about 4.5 miles long and starts by the restrooms and returns a little further down by the campsite, about a third of a mile below the trail start.
2.9) Waipio Peninsular / Soccer Complex: Accessed from H1 Highway or Farrington Highway (Route 93) from Pearl City or Honolulu and through Waipahu. Follow signs for Waipio Soccer Fields Complex. The site ajoins Pearl Harbor.
2.10) Kaena Point State Park: Located on the North West corner of O'ahu and reached on the North Shore along the Farrington Highway (Route 930) from Waialua or Haleiwa and Highway 803 from Wahiawa. continue past Dillingham Airfield which is on the South side of Farrington Highway until the road ends. From the South the Park is reached via Highway 93, also called Farrington Highway from Honolulu via Kapolei on the South West side of O'ahu. NOTE: Ensure no valuables are left in the car when you visit this site as many vehicles are broken into here, particularly along the North side.
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3), 4) and 5) MAUI, MOLOKA'I and LANA'I LARGE MAP
MOLOKAI
3.1) Kakahaia NWR: Reached along the Kamehameha V Avenue (Route 450), which runs between Kaunakakai and Kamalo on the South side of the Island. The highway runs through the refuge, but viewing can be difficult due to vegetation.
3.2) Kamakou Forest Preserve: From Kaunakakai on Highway 460 turn right three-quarters of a mile after the thrre mile marker immediately before Manawainui Bridge. The paved road ends just after the Kalamaula hunter check box. The ten mile drive from the highway to Waikolu lookout takes about 45 minutes depending on road conditions. After the check in box bear left at the first fork (about five minutes up) and then follow the main track all the way. The Moloka'i Forest Reserve starts about 5.5 miles up, after a further 1.5 miles there is a camp used by TNC. After a further 2 miles there is a sandalwood pit and after a further mile is Waikolu lookout and the Kamakou Preserve. Four-wheel drive is essential.
LANAI
4.1) Keomuku Road: To reach the area take Lanai Avenue north out of Lanai City. Where the road goes past a golf course and Koele Lodge the road becomes Keomuku Road. Carry on for approximately eight miles over the ridge and down to the sea. Up to this point the road is paved but at this point the road forks and the road is of poorer quality. The left fork continues for a couple of miles and ends at a turnaround, where there is a small picnic area and the site of an old beacon. From the beacon site (concreted area) there is a path marked by white stone cairns, if this is followed for about five minutes there is a dry streambed surrounded by Kiawe trees and here are some very interesting petroglyphs.
4.2) Lana'ihale: To get to this site go north on Keomuku Road from Lana'i City for a about a mile to the trailhead which is a paved road heading southeast from the highway. This trail is sometimes called the Munro Trail but is unmarked. The paved road ends quite quickly and continues on a dirt road, a four-wheel drive car is almost always necessary, as the road can become wet and slippery. It is usually best to attempt this route only in dry weather. If you go over the top you can return to Lana'i City through the abandoned Pineapple fields and down Manele Road. Alternatively return the way you arrived.
MAUI
5.1) Kanaha Pond Sanctuary: Accessed from the road between the airport and Kahului. The pond is on the seaward (North) side of the Hana Highway (Rte 32 and 396).
5.2) Kealia Pond NWR: Located at the Southern end of the central Maui isthmus
and accessed from North Kihei Road between Kihei and the Wailuku - Lahaina Road, Route 31.
Ma'alaea Flats are located on the seaward side of the road. The Main Pond is located on the opposite side of the
road a little further along if approached from the North end. Refuge kiosk open out of nesting season, follow on
site signposts.
5.3) Hosmer Grove: Signposted off the main Haleakala Road (Route 378), about three-quarters of a mile before Park Headquarters. Trail start in parking lot and campground and is a loop trail.
5.4) Haleakala National Park: The Park is well sign-posted from the lowlands of Maui and is not difficult to find, after all it dominates the Island. The road climbing to the summit is apparently the steepest ascending paved road in the World. Follow Route 37 from the airport, then 377 then 378 to the summit. All roads to Haleakala are clearly posted.
5.5) Waikamoi Preserve: Accessed via closed trail from Hosmer Grove. No Access is permitted except with a TNC hike leader. Please do not trespass as habitat is under severe threat and it is easy to hike in noxious weeds and to disturb nesting birds. Access to trail head for guided walks (booked in advance) as for Hosmer Grove.
5.6) Polipoli Springs State Recreation Area: From Kahalui Airport take Haleakala Highway (Route 37) South towards Haleakala, continue through Pukulani onto Kula Highway (still Route 37). Do Not turn off to Haleakala National Park. Carry on until Route 37 until the second junction which joins Route 377 (the one that goes up to Haleakala), proceed left on 377 for a short way then turn right up a steep, unmarked paved road, continue for about 5 miles along the zig-zag road until the paved road ends. Here the track may be unpassable if the weather has been bad, so unless in a 4-wheel drive vehicle think twice about continuing. At the 8.4 mile marker from the open range gate the road forks, take the right turn posted to Polipoli, the road improves somewhat here, continue to the 9.1 mile mark and the parking area. from here several trails lead off into the forests. Nearby Kula Botanical Gardens is accessed off the same road at the base of Waipoli road.
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6) HAWAI'I LARGE MAP
6.1) Aimakapa Pond: Located on the Kona side a short distance to the South of Keahole airport and just North of the Honokohau Boat harbor, off Hawaii Belt Road (Route 11). Follow signs to the boat Harbor and park sensibly at the North side of the parking lot and walk to the Northern edge of the entrance road by the boat storage area. Cross over the low stone wall here (there are many gaps) and walk through the scrub and small Kiawe wood until you come out on the beach. There is a small restroom area inside the Kiawe wood. Once you reach the beach walk North for a short while until you see the pond on your right, there are several spots to view different areas of the pond. Note that the beach is partly a nudist beach and there may well be people sunbathing nude whilst you are watching birds.
6.2) Hilo Ponds: There are two main ponds in Hilo: Loko Waka pond, to the NE of the airport and Waiakea pond in the center of Hilo. They are both easily located on maps of the area. Lokowaka Pond is off Kalanianaole Avenue which runs along the waterfront North of the Airport. Waiakea Pond is situated between Manono Street and Kilauea Avenue. Parking is available on both sides, but is probably easier on the Eastern side (Manono Street side). Waiakea Pond is visible as you drive over the bridge on Kamehameha Avenue.
6.3) Hakalau Forest NWR: Access off the Saddle Road. See account in Where to Watch Birds in Hawai'i - Hawai'i - Hakalau Forest NWR.
6.4) Volcanoes National Park: Accessed from Hilo on Highway 11 from the North and from Kona on the same Highway from the South. The Parks main road is Crater Rim Road, which circles the Kilauea Caldera, and from where most of the Park's attractions can be seen. The remaining sites can be seen from Chain of Craters Road, which goes South for 20 miles to the coast and ends near to the most recent volcanic activity. A detailed map is issued when you enter the park and pay the admission fee, alternatively copies are available at the Park Center and is well worth getting as it shows many trails beyond the scope of this site.
6.5) Pu'u Anahulu: Access in North Kona, about nineteen miles from Kailua near the Pu'u Wa'a Wa'a Cinder cone and reached from either Waimea or Kailua. Route 190 traverses the area and after you pass Huehue ranch the highway crosses lava flows and scrub. At the base of Puu Waa Waa cinder cone is the entrance to the ranch. Park on the side of the road where it turns sharp left and climbs uphill. There is a wider pullout area here where it is safer to park. Here you can look from the road into the tree tops and down into the grassy scrub areas below. Make sure that when searching the area and along the roads to be out of the way of passing cars and also not to accidentally trespass on private property.
6.6) Waimea Plains: To reach Waimea from Kona take Route 190 North East and
watch the plains from anywhere after the turning to Waikoloa Village. To reach the Transfer Station take the road
West out of Waimea along Route 19 and it is on the left a little way out of town. DO
NOT jeapardise access or goodwill of the transfer station owners by parking
in obstructive areas or causing a nuisance whilst there.
Chestnut-Bellied Sandgrouse can be seen at any time of the day flying over
Mamalahoa Highway (Route 190) or South of Kawaihae Road, which runs from Waimea Town to Kawaihae.
6.7) Pu'u La'au: Access is off the Saddle Road, best reached by taking Rout 200 (The Saddle Road) from the Northern End off Route 190 (Mamalahoa Highway). Continue along the Saddle Road until you pass the Waikii Ranch on your right, this is about two-thirds of the way to the turning for Pu'u La'au, continue until you see the Kilohana Girl Scout Camp on your right and a little further on is a turning for Pu'u La'au on the Mauka (mountain) side of the Saddle Road. The road/track up to Pu'u La'au is passable in a standard rental car if the weather has been dry (although the tires may slip a little), but should not be attempted in wet weather unless done so in a 4-wheel drive vehicle. The track leads up to a gate which is the entrance to the Mauna Kea Forest Reserve and although access is allowed by vehicle it is probably the best place to park and explore the area on foot. Most rental companies do not allow driving on the Saddle Road and so it is up to the individual to assess the risk of driving this route.
6.8) Manuka State Park: Located on the Mauka side of Route 11 between Hawaiian Ocean View Estates and MacFarms of Hawai'i on the South Western side of the Island a little beyond the turning to South Point if coming from the East and a few miles past the Macadamia Nut Farm if arriving from the West.
6.9) Kealakekua Bay: The Bay can be reached Route 11 between South Kona and Honaunau. Take Na'po'opo'o Road from the town of Captain Cook or Middle Keei Road off Route 11 and follow the road down the mountainside to the Bay, which is part of the Kealakekua Bay Historical Park. A little further to the South is the City of Refuge (Pu'uhonua o Hanau'au national Historical Park) which is interesting for its cultural value but holds little in the way of birds. Na'po'opo'o Beach Park at the end of Napo'opo'o Road is an unassuming little bay which is good for snorkelling and swimming. On the far side of the Bay is a monument to Captain Cook.
6.10) Punalu'u Beach Park: Located off Route 11 between Waiohinu and pahala on the South side of the Island, just South of the Town of Punalu'u. South Point is reached via Highway 11 travelling South and is well signposted.
