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Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge

Hawaii · Hawaii

ChallengingOfficial Site
Habitat
ForestTropical
Best Seasons
SpringSummer
Difficulty

Challenging

Best Months

March-June

Entrance Fee

Free (access permit required)

Hours

By permit only; contact refuge office in advance

About This Location

Hakalau Forest NWR on the Big Island of Hawaii protects one of the last intact native Hawaiian rainforests and is the best place to see endangered Hawaiian honeycreepers. Species like the Hawaii Akepa, Akiapolaau, and Hawaii Creeper survive here in koa-ohia forests that are under active restoration.

Location

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Notable Species

AkiapolaauHawaii AkepaHawaii CreeperHawaii AmakihiOmao

Live Bird Data

Powered by eBird / Cornell Lab of Ornithology

Notable Sightings

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

3/4/2026Mauna Lani--Kalāhuipuaʻa Fishponds (restricted access)2 observed

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

3/4/2026Holoholokai Beach Park1 observed

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

3/3/2026Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access)6 observed

Ruff

Calidris pugnax

3/3/2026Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access)1 observed

Red-billed Tropicbird

Phaethon aethereus

3/3/2026Lana'i Lookout1 observed

Dunlin

Calidris alpina

3/3/2026Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access)1 observed

Mourning Dove

Zenaida macroura

3/3/2026Pearl Harbor NWR--Honouliuli Unit (restricted access)8 observed

Tanimbar Corella

Cacatua goffiniana

3/3/2026Corella Spot, Kailua-Kona, Hawaii, US (19.707, -155.951)2 observed

Oahu Elepaio

Chasiempis ibidis

3/3/2026Wiliwilinui Ridge Trail2 observed

Akiapolaau

Hemignathus wilsoni

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)3 observed

Hawaii Creeper

Loxops mana

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Akiapolaau

Hemignathus wilsoni

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)3 observed

Hawaii Akepa

Loxops coccineus

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Akiapolaau

Hemignathus wilsoni

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)3 observed

Hawaii Akepa

Loxops coccineus

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Akiapolaau

Hemignathus wilsoni

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)3 observed

Hawaii Akepa

Loxops coccineus

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Hawaii Akepa

Loxops coccineus

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Hawaii Creeper

Loxops mana

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Hawaii Creeper

Loxops mana

3/3/2026Hakalau Forest NWR--Pua Akala Tract (restricted access)6 observed

Recent Observations

Red Junglefowl

Lotus Hotel

3/4/2026

5 birds

Short-eared Owl

Saddle Rd, Kamuela US-HI 19.83736, -155.64194

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Myna

Kahako

3/4/2026

20 birds

Zebra Dove

Kahako

3/4/2026

3 birds

Rose-ringed Parakeet

Kahako

3/4/2026

30 birds

Spotted Dove

Kahako

3/4/2026

12 birds

House Finch

Kahako

3/4/2026

2 birds

Common Waxbill

Kahako

3/4/2026

1 birds

Java Sparrow

Kahako

3/4/2026

1 birds

Indian Peafowl

Kahako

3/4/2026

4 birds

House Sparrow

Kahako

3/4/2026

12 birds

Red-whiskered Bulbul

Kahako

3/4/2026

3 birds

Western Cattle-Egret

Kahako

3/4/2026

3 birds

Red-vented Bulbul

Kahako

3/4/2026

5 birds

Northern Cardinal

Kahako

3/4/2026

2 birds

Rock Pigeon

Kahako

3/4/2026

29 birds

White-rumped Shama

Kahako

3/4/2026

1 birds

Pacific Golden-Plover

Kahako

3/4/2026

2 birds

Red-crested Cardinal

Kahako

3/4/2026

8 birds

Laysan Albatross

Princeville Neighborhood (General)

3/3/2026

1 birds

Birding Tips

  1. 1

    Access requires a permit and 4WD vehicle

  2. 2

    Hire a local birding guide for the best chance at finding honeycreepers

Amenities

Trails

Nearby Attractions

  • Mauna Kea
  • Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

More in Hawaii

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Maui cloud forest preserve and last refuge for critically endangered Maui forest birds.

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Fall Migration Guide: Hawks, Sparrows, and More

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Frequently Asked Questions

When is the best time to visit Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge for birding?▼
The best months to visit Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge for birding are March-June. The best seasons are Spring and Summer.
What birds can I see at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Notable species at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge include Akiapolaau, Hawaii Akepa, Hawaii Creeper, Hawaii Amakihi, Omao. The area supports forest, tropical habitats.
How difficult is birding at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Birding at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is rated as Challenging. The terrain can be challenging and may require good physical fitness and preparation.
Is there an entrance fee at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge?▼
The entrance fee at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge is Free (access permit required). Hours: By permit only; contact refuge office in advance.
What amenities are available at Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge?▼
Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge offers the following amenities: Trails.