James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge, National Wildlife Refuge in Kahuku, Honolulu County, United States
The James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge is a protected area on the North Shore of Oahu, divided into two units called Punamano and Kii. Both units consist of ponds, wetlands, and coastal strips that provide habitat for wildlife.
The refuge was established in 1976 and ran for its first decades under a long-term lease with the James Campbell Estate. In 2005, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service bought portions of the land to secure its future.
The refuge is home to four native Hawaiian waterbirds: the alae kea, koloa maoli, alae ula, and aeo, all of which are endangered in Hawaii. Seeing them here, in real wetlands rather than a zoo or park, is a rare experience.
Access is only possible through guided tours, which run twice a week from October through February. Registration is required in advance, so planning ahead before your visit is necessary.
The wetlands here sit along one of the few flyways that links Alaska, Asia, and New Zealand, making this a rare meeting point for species from distant parts of the world. Over 100 bird species have been recorded here since the refuge opened.
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