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Kealia
Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) located on Maui's south
shore was established in 1992 and is part of the Maui NWR
Complex. The refuge is home to endangered native water
birds, and hosts migratory ducks and shorebirds in fall,
winter, and spring.
This refuge provides 700
acres of some of the last remaining natural wetland habitat
in the State of Hawai`i. Kealia Pond is nearly 250 acres
when full. The refuge is adjacent to Kealia Beach, which is
a nesting ground for the endangered hawksbill turtle.
Kealia Pond NWR is very
fortunate to have strong community support. Refuge staff
work regularly with volunteer groups such as the Dawn Beach
Patrol, the Dune Restoration Group, and the County of Maui's
Youth Aquaculture Intervention Program. The refuge is also a
popular site for schools for environmental education
programs.
More than 31 species of
birds, such as the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae`o) and coot
(`alae ke`oke`o), and migrant waterfowl and shorebirds such
as the Pacific golden plover use this refuge.
An interpretive kiosk and
boardwalk are located along the beach and refuge mudflats.
Visitors are able to view the many bird species of the
refuge, take in the beauty of the beach, and whale watch.
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