Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary
Kahului, Central Maui
A Seasonal Waterbird Sanctuary in the Middle of Kahului
Kanahā Pond Wildlife Sanctuary, run by DLNR's Division of Forestry and Wildlife, is a restricted wetland in downtown Kahului set aside in 1951 as the first wildlife sanctuary in the islands, the remnant of a pair of royal fishponds. DLNR says it hosts 86 bird species including three endangered native waterbirds, and lists birdwatching, hiking and native plant and insect study as activities. An accessible pathway runs from the parking lot on Keolani Place to a viewing shelter, and the east-side trails start at the Amala Place gates.
Access is seasonal: the Keolani Place lot and gate are open daily sunrise to sunset, but all other areas are closed April 1 to August 30, and the east-side trails are open only August 31 to March 31, when birds aren't nesting. The sanctuary is restricted by administrative rule: no vehicles, and stay on marked roads and trails. The DLNR page gives no admission fee, trail length or pet rules, and DLNR's 9/30/26 storm release does not list the sanctuary as closed.
Why Roamwise recommends this
A quick, free birding stop in Kahului — but only for part of the year.
Best for: birdwatching between an airport arrival and a hotel check-in, a short accessible walk.
Insider tip: don't plan on walking the trails from April to August; the parking lot and viewing kiosk stay open year-round.
- Safety notes:
- Trails close April 1 to August 30 every year for nesting birds; fee, trail length and pet rules are not stated on the DLNR page.
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Local tips
- •Parking lot and viewing kiosk open year-round, sunrise to sunset.
- •Trails are closed April 1–August 30 for nesting
- •open Aug 31–Mar 31.
- •Stay on marked trails
- •no vehicles.
- •No fee, trail length or pet rules are stated on the DLNR page.
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