Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, Protected wetland habitat in Maui County, United States

Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a coastal salt marsh between Kihei and Maalaea on Maui, covering 691 acres. The pond expands to over 400 acres in winter and shrinks by summer, leaving salt flats. A boardwalk and 14-stall parking lot opened on North Kihei Road on September 8, 2009.

Kealia Pond was selected as a wildlife refuge in 1953, when an initial 300 acres were protected. The refuge joined the National Wildlife Refuge System in 1992. During World War II, the pond area had been used to train the 2nd and 4th Marine Divisions.

The refuge serves as a place where visitors can observe Hawaiian birds in their natural setting and learn about local ecosystems through signage and ranger interactions. The wetland represents an important effort to protect species that are deeply connected to the islands' identity.

A boardwalk and a 14-stall parking lot opened on North Kihei Road on September 8, 2009. The boardwalk area beside Sugar Beach is open from 06:00 to 19:00 and is patrolled by private security. The refuge lies on both sides of Route 31 between Kihei and Maalaea.

Between August and April, more than 30 different waterfowl and shorebird species arrive from destinations as far away as Alaska, Canada, and Asia. These epic journeys make the refuge a vital resting point during migration seasons.