How Do I Contact the Service or Provide Comments?

For Information on the National Wildlife Refuges:

Shannon Smith, Project Leader

Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex

P.O. Box 1128

Kı ̄lauea, HI 96754

Phone: (808) 828-1413

Fax: (808) 828-6634

E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov

Web: http://www.fws.gov/hanalei/

http://www.fws.gov/huleia/

http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint

Ferns on Hanalei NWR/ © Mary Hughes

Planning Update 1 issued............................... January 2010

Public Meetings ............................................... January 2010

Planning Update 2 issued............................... Spring 2010

Planning Update 3 issued............................... Fall/Winter 2010

Draft CCP/EA released for public review ... Fall/Winter 2010

Final CCP......................................................... Fall 2011

Planning Target Dates

Kaua'i National Wildlife Refuge Complex

P.O. Box 1128

Kı ̄lauea, HI 96754

8
2 

National Wildlife What?

Refuges are places where wildlife comes first. 

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) 

comprises the world’s largest collection of lands 

set aside specifically for wildlife and provides 

important habitat for native plants and animals. 

The NWRS is administered by the Department 

of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

the principal federal agency responsible for 

conserving, protecting, and enhancing the nation’s 

fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for 

the benefit of the American people. 

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge 

System is “To administer a national network 

of lands and waters for the conservation, 

management, and where appropriate, restoration 

of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their 

habitats within the United States for the benefit of 

present and future generations of Americans.”

Each Refuge was established for specific purposes.

Hanalei Refuge, located along the lower reach and 

floodplain of the Hanalei River along the northern 

shore of Kaua‘i, was established in 1972 for the 

purpose of providing habitat for four of Hawai‘i’s 

endangered waterbirds: ae‘o/Hawaiian stilt, ‘alae ula/

Hawaiian moorhen, ‘alae ke‘oke‘o/Hawaiian coot, 

koloa maoli/Hawaiian duck, and the ne ̄ne ̄/Hawaiian 

goose.

Hule ̄‘ia Refuge, located along the Hule ̄‘ia River on 

Kaua‘i’s eastern shore, was established in 1973 for the 

purpose of providing habitat for Hawai‘i’s endangered 

waterbirds.

Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge, located at the northern most 

point of Kaua‘i, was established in 1985 for the 

purposes of providing habitat for seabirds, ne ̄ne ̄, and 

native plants; preserving the historic lighthouse; and 

providing environmental education and interpretation 

to the public. Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge's boundary was 

expanded in 2004 by Public Law 108-481 to protect 

and recover endangered Hawaiian waterbirds and 

other endangered birds, including the ne ̄ne ̄, and to 

conserve and manage native coastal strand, riparian, 

and aquatic biological diversity.

Ne ̄ne ̄ on Kı ̄ lauea Point NWR/USFWS

Goals are broad statements intended to provide 

direction for the future management of Refuges. 

They are based on the purposes of the Refuges, 

the mission and policies of the NWRS, input 

received through the planning process, and 

the key issues identified as most significant to 

the Refuges. The planning team has developed 

preliminary goals for the three Kaua‘i Refuges 

and would like your input on them.

Goal 1: Protect, restore, and manage seasonal 

wetland habitats to meet the needs of and promote 

the recovery of endangered waterbirds.

Goal 2: Protect, restore, and manage upland 

habitats to meet the needs of ne ̄ne ̄, seabirds, and 

native plants.

Goal 3: Work with partners to ensure the 

restoration, protection, and management of 

habitat on Refuge inholdings. 

Goal 4: Collect scientific information (inventories, 

monitoring, research, assessments) necessary to 

support adaptive management decisions on units 

of the Kaua‘i Complex in support of Goals 1-4.

Goal 5: Educate students and teachers about the 

NWRS and the ecology and management of the 

Refuges.

Goal 6: Encourage visitors and local residents to 

enjoy, value, learn about, and support Kı ̄lauea 

Point and Hanalei Refuges.

Goal 7: Protect the educational, scientific, 

and spiritual values of historical and cultural 

resources.

Preliminary Goals

Refuge Complex Overview
6 

Attendees at the Hanalei Talk Story session shared 

stories about farming life in Hanalei, along with their 

vision for the future management of the Refuge. The 

majority of individuals stressed the importance of 

kalo (taro) to the Native Hawaiian culture. The role of 

Hanalei Valley for kalo production was also brought 

up as an important consideration, as 79 percent of kalo 

in the state is grown in the valley. In addition, many 

participants cited the view of Hanalei Valley as a critical 

piece of the north shore of Kaua‘i. Other examples of 

what we heard are included below:

An individual recounted the history of farming in the 

valley. Historically, many crops were grown in the valley, 

such as coffee, sugar, rice, and cotton; the most suitable 

is taro. In the late 1800s, Chinese immigrants grew rice 

to supply workers who were rebuilding the South after 

Talk Story Sessions

Refuge staff held three “talk story” sessions to hear 

concerns about Refuge management as well as share 

stories with long-time residents and hear some of the 

living history associated with the three Refuges. The 

meetings were announced locally and open to the public, 

specifically targeted to local community members and 

ku ̄puna (elders). The sessions were held on October 8 in 

Hanalei, November 4 in Kı ̄lauea Point, and January 12 

for Hule ̄‘ia. Brief summaries of the main points for the 

Hanalei and Kı ̄lauea Point sessions follow; a summary of 

the Hule ̄‘ia session will be included in a future Planning 

Update.

the Civil War. After foreign markets drove down the price 

of rice, farmers reverted to kalo farming in the 1970s.

The sense of community has been an important component 

of the valley. One participant shared a story of how the 

ditches were cleaned in the past. The farmer and farm 

workers at the end of the ditch would start cleaning. As 

they worked up through the ditch, the next farmer’s 

family and workers would join the cleaning. As the crew 

continued to work its way up the ditch, workers would 

clear the ditch and pass the other workers. This built 

camaraderie among the farmers and workers. By the time 

they reached the last farmer all of the community would 

be working together to clean the additional mile of ditch 

up to the intake.

What would individuals like to see in the plan?

•	 Conservation of scenic, cultural and historic views.

•	 Protection of culturally significant farming in the 

Hanalei Valley and the role of the valley in providing 

food security for Kaua‘i.

•	 Recognition of the symbiotic relationship between 

farmers and birds.

•	 Recognition of the Hanalei River as an American 

Heritage River and conservation of the river’s water 

quality, instream flow, and water quantity; a water 

budget for Refuge and farming operations and the 

riverine resources.

•	 Identification of partnership opportunities to meet 

species and habitat goals for endangered species both 

on the Refuge and other areas throughout the island.

In preparing the CCP, a range of possible alternative 

management approaches will be explored and evaluated, 

including current management practices. The effects of 

the various alternatives on the biological resources and 

local communities will be evaluated in an Environmental 

Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act.

The planning team has identified some potential issues 

to be considered during CCP development. We would 

like to hear your comments on these issues, and any 

other topics of concern, at our public meetings (see first 

page). 

Preliminary Issues to be Considered

Visitor Services Activities, such as congestion and 

overcrowding at Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge; effects of 

traffic and visitors on endangered species and local 

communities; visitor safety; restoration and preservation 

of the lighthouse station, and the potential relocation of 

the overlook at Hanalei Refuge.

If you are not able to attend one of our public meetings, 

please submit your comments in writing to the Refuge 

(see page 8 for contact information). Summaries of the 

preliminary issues identified by the planning team follow:

Hanalei

Protection of Historic and Cultural Resources which 

exist on all three Refuges.
4

159°22'0"W

159°22'0"W

159°23'0"W

159°23'0"W

159°24'0"W

159°24'0"W

21°57'0"N 21°57'0"N21°56'0"N 21°56'0"N

PRODUCED IN THE DIVISION OF REALTY & REFUGE INFORMATION

PORTLAND, OREGON

LAND STATUS CURRENT TO: 3/18/05

MAP DATE: 03/11/09

BASEMAP: DRG 24K

MERIDIAN:FILE: 09-098-1.MXD

0 0.5 1 0.25

Kilometers

Refuge Overview

0 0.4 0.8 0.2

Miles

UTM ZONE 4N

NAD 83

Hulē‘ia National Wildlife RefugeKauai County, Hawai'i

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

FWS Owned Lands

Approved Refuge Boundary

KEY
4

159°22'0"W

159°22'0"W

159°23'0"W

159°23'0"W

159°24'0"W

159°24'0"W

21°57'0"N 21°57'0"N21°56'0"N 21°56'0"N

PRODUCED IN THE DIVISION OF REALTY & REFUGE INFORMATION

PORTLAND, OREGON

LAND STATUS CURRENT TO: 3/18/05

MAP DATE: 03/11/09

BASEMAP: DRG 24K

MERIDIAN:FILE: 09-098-1.MXD

0 0.5 1 0.25

Kilometers

Refuge Overview

0 0.4 0.8 0.2

Miles

UTM ZONE 4N

NAD 83

Hulē‘ia National Wildlife RefugeKauai County, Hawai'i

U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service

FWS Owned Lands

Approved Refuge Boundary

KEY
6 

Attendees at the Hanalei Talk Story session shared 

stories about farming life in Hanalei, along with their 

vision for the future management of the Refuge. The 

majority of individuals stressed the importance of 

kalo (taro) to the Native Hawaiian culture. The role of 

Hanalei Valley for kalo production was also brought 

up as an important consideration, as 79 percent of kalo 

in the state is grown in the valley. In addition, many 

participants cited the view of Hanalei Valley as a critical 

piece of the north shore of Kaua‘i. Other examples of 

what we heard are included below:

An individual recounted the history of farming in the 

valley. Historically, many crops were grown in the valley, 

such as coffee, sugar, rice, and cotton; the most suitable 

is taro. In the late 1800s, Chinese immigrants grew rice 

to supply workers who were rebuilding the South after 

Talk Story Sessions

Refuge staff held three “talk story” sessions to hear 

concerns about Refuge management as well as share 

stories with long-time residents and hear some of the 

living history associated with the three Refuges. The 

meetings were announced locally and open to the public, 

specifically targeted to local community members and 

ku ̄puna (elders). The sessions were held on October 8 in 

Hanalei, November 4 in Kı ̄lauea Point, and January 12 

for Hule ̄‘ia. Brief summaries of the main points for the 

Hanalei and Kı ̄lauea Point sessions follow; a summary of 

the Hule ̄‘ia session will be included in a future Planning 

Update.

the Civil War. After foreign markets drove down the price 

of rice, farmers reverted to kalo farming in the 1970s.

The sense of community has been an important component 

of the valley. One participant shared a story of how the 

ditches were cleaned in the past. The farmer and farm 

workers at the end of the ditch would start cleaning. As 

they worked up through the ditch, the next farmer’s 

family and workers would join the cleaning. As the crew 

continued to work its way up the ditch, workers would 

clear the ditch and pass the other workers. This built 

camaraderie among the farmers and workers. By the time 

they reached the last farmer all of the community would 

be working together to clean the additional mile of ditch 

up to the intake.

What would individuals like to see in the plan?

•	 Conservation of scenic, cultural and historic views.

•	 Protection of culturally significant farming in the 

Hanalei Valley and the role of the valley in providing 

food security for Kaua‘i.

•	 Recognition of the symbiotic relationship between 

farmers and birds.

•	 Recognition of the Hanalei River as an American 

Heritage River and conservation of the river’s water 

quality, instream flow, and water quantity; a water 

budget for Refuge and farming operations and the 

riverine resources.

•	 Identification of partnership opportunities to meet 

species and habitat goals for endangered species both 

on the Refuge and other areas throughout the island.

In preparing the CCP, a range of possible alternative 

management approaches will be explored and evaluated, 

including current management practices. The effects of 

the various alternatives on the biological resources and 

local communities will be evaluated in an Environmental 

Assessment (EA) in accordance with the National 

Environmental Policy Act.

The planning team has identified some potential issues 

to be considered during CCP development. We would 

like to hear your comments on these issues, and any 

other topics of concern, at our public meetings (see first 

page). 

Preliminary Issues to be Considered

Visitor Services Activities, such as congestion and 

overcrowding at Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge; effects of 

traffic and visitors on endangered species and local 

communities; visitor safety; restoration and preservation 

of the lighthouse station, and the potential relocation of 

the overlook at Hanalei Refuge.

If you are not able to attend one of our public meetings, 

please submit your comments in writing to the Refuge 

(see page 8 for contact information). Summaries of the 

preliminary issues identified by the planning team follow:

Hanalei

Protection of Historic and Cultural Resources which 

exist on all three Refuges.
2 

National Wildlife What?

Refuges are places where wildlife comes first. 

The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) 

comprises the world’s largest collection of lands 

set aside specifically for wildlife and provides 

important habitat for native plants and animals. 

The NWRS is administered by the Department 

of the Interior’s U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 

the principal federal agency responsible for 

conserving, protecting, and enhancing the nation’s 

fish and wildlife populations and their habitats for 

the benefit of the American people. 

The mission of the National Wildlife Refuge 

System is “To administer a national network 

of lands and waters for the conservation, 

management, and where appropriate, restoration 

of the fish, wildlife, and plant resources and their 

habitats within the United States for the benefit of 

present and future generations of Americans.”

Each Refuge was established for specific purposes.

Hanalei Refuge, located along the lower reach and 

floodplain of the Hanalei River along the northern 

shore of Kaua‘i, was established in 1972 for the 

purpose of providing habitat for four of Hawai‘i’s 

endangered waterbirds: ae‘o/Hawaiian stilt, ‘alae ula/

Hawaiian moorhen, ‘alae ke‘oke‘o/Hawaiian coot, 

koloa maoli/Hawaiian duck, and the ne ̄ne ̄/Hawaiian 

goose.

Hule ̄‘ia Refuge, located along the Hule ̄‘ia River on 

Kaua‘i’s eastern shore, was established in 1973 for the 

purpose of providing habitat for Hawai‘i’s endangered 

waterbirds.

Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge, located at the northern most 

point of Kaua‘i, was established in 1985 for the 

purposes of providing habitat for seabirds, ne ̄ne ̄, and 

native plants; preserving the historic lighthouse; and 

providing environmental education and interpretation 

to the public. Kı ̄lauea Point Refuge's boundary was 

expanded in 2004 by Public Law 108-481 to protect 

and recover endangered Hawaiian waterbirds and 

other endangered birds, including the ne ̄ne ̄, and to 

conserve and manage native coastal strand, riparian, 

and aquatic biological diversity.

Ne ̄ne ̄ on Kı ̄ lauea Point NWR/USFWS

Goals are broad statements intended to provide 

direction for the future management of Refuges. 

They are based on the purposes of the Refuges, 

the mission and policies of the NWRS, input 

received through the planning process, and 

the key issues identified as most significant to 

the Refuges. The planning team has developed 

preliminary goals for the three Kaua‘i Refuges 

and would like your input on them.

Goal 1: Protect, restore, and manage seasonal 

wetland habitats to meet the needs of and promote 

the recovery of endangered waterbirds.

Goal 2: Protect, restore, and manage upland 

habitats to meet the needs of ne ̄ne ̄, seabirds, and 

native plants.

Goal 3: Work with partners to ensure the 

restoration, protection, and management of 

habitat on Refuge inholdings. 

Goal 4: Collect scientific information (inventories, 

monitoring, research, assessments) necessary to 

support adaptive management decisions on units 

of the Kaua‘i Complex in support of Goals 1-4.

Goal 5: Educate students and teachers about the 

NWRS and the ecology and management of the 

Refuges.

Goal 6: Encourage visitors and local residents to 

enjoy, value, learn about, and support Kı ̄lauea 

Point and Hanalei Refuges.

Goal 7: Protect the educational, scientific, 

and spiritual values of historical and cultural 

resources.

Preliminary Goals

Refuge Complex Overview
How Do I Contact the Service or Provide Comments?

For Information on the National Wildlife Refuges:

Shannon Smith, Project Leader

Kaua‘i National Wildlife Refuge Complex

P.O. Box 1128

Kı ̄lauea, HI 96754

Phone: (808) 828-1413

Fax: (808) 828-6634

E-mail: FW1PlanningComments@fws.gov

Web: http://www.fws.gov/hanalei/

http://www.fws.gov/huleia/

http://www.fws.gov/kilaueapoint

Ferns on Hanalei NWR/ © Mary Hughes

Planning Update 1 issued............................... January 2010

Public Meetings ............................................... January 2010

Planning Update 2 issued............................... Spring 2010

Planning Update 3 issued............................... Fall/Winter 2010

Draft CCP/EA released for public review ... Fall/Winter 2010

Final CCP......................................................... Fall 2011

Planning Target Dates

Kaua'i National Wildlife Refuge Complex

P.O. Box 1128

Kı ̄lauea, HI 96754

8