Kakahai'a National Wildlife Refuge

Kakahai'a National Wildlife Refuge is located at Milepost 6 on Mokulele Highway or Highway 311. The refuge contains a coastal freshwater pond, which was used as an artificial pond for fishing. The refuge is 44 acres set on the south coast of the island of Molokai in Kaunakakai. Molokai is considered a private island, though it is possible to visit the central section. Permission is granted to go to the Heaiu and the National Wildlife Refuge with advanced notice.

The refuge was established in 1977 in order to protect endangered species such as the Hawaiian coot and Hawaiian stilt. It also protects migratory waterfowl and coastline birds. Northern pintails can be seen during the winter months. Pacific golden plover tend to be the most common shorebird to see. Also in the refuge are black crowned night Heron which tend to feed on the fish and small vertebrates found at the coastline.

Kakahaia is fed by a spring though in 1983 construction created a shallow habitat for the birds. In 1998 and 1999 a new pond was cleared in order to help the birds that visit the island. There is a coastal road which links to the refuge on the seaward side.