Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Kihei, South Maui
A Free Wetland Boardwalk for Native Waterbirds Near Kīhei
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, run by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, is a wetland on Maui Veterans Highway (the visitor center is at milepost 6, about a mile north of Kīhei) that protects the endangered ʻaeʻo (Hawaiian stilt) and ʻalae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot). The refuge says more than 30 species of waterfowl, shorebirds and migratory ducks are present in winter, with migratory birds there from August to April. The Keālia Coastal Boardwalk, off North Kīhei Highway between Kīhei and Māʻalaea, has a 14-stall lot open sunrise to sunset; the Kanuimanu pond levees are flat and, while a little bumpy, accommodate wheelchairs.
No admission or parking fee is stated on the refuge's pages. Hours conflict between pages: the visitor center is listed as Monday to Friday 9 AM–3 PM (one page adds the first Saturday of each month, another starts Mondays at noon), the refuge gates 7:30 AM–5 PM, and the boardwalk 6 or 6:30 AM to 7 PM, so confirm before a special trip. No pets, drones, bikes, jogging, kite flying, fishing or collecting are allowed because they disturb the birds.
Why Roamwise recommends this
A calm, free-feeling nature stop on the South Maui coast — good for early mornings and birdwatchers.
Best for: birdwatching, an easy boardwalk walk, a no-cost start to a Kīhei day.
Insider tip: go early, bring binoculars and water, and call the refuge on (808) 875-1582 if you want the visitor center open.
- Safety notes:
- Hours and any fee are not consistent across the refuge's own pages (newest newsletter on its site is from 2025); no storm notice was posted, but call (808) 875-1582 before a special trip.
- Best arrival time:
- Early morning
Reviews: Google MapsYelp
Local tips
- •No fee is listed on the refuge's pages
- •hours differ between pages — confirm.
- •The coastal boardwalk lot is open sunrise to sunset
- •visitor center is weekdays.
- •No pets, drones, bikes, jogging or kite flying — they disturb the birds.
- •Migratory birds are present August to April.
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