James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge (Haleiwa)
James Campbell Refuge consists of over 160 acres of wetland habitat in two separate wetland units near the community of Kahuku on the northeastern shore of Oahu, Hawaii. This wetland refuge is primarily devoted to the recovery of Hawaii's four endemic water birds (Hawaiian stilt, Hawaiian moorhen, Hawaiian coot, and Hawaiian duck). All four birds are listed as endangered species due to their precipitous decline in the 20th century.
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawai'i National Park)
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park, established in 1916, displays the results of 70 million years of volcanism, migration, and evolution -- processes that thrust a bare land from the sea and clothed it with complex and unique ecosystems and a distinct human culture. The park encompasses diverse environments that range from sea level to the summit of the earth's most massive volcano, Mauna Loa at 13, 677 feet.
Kaloko-Honokohau National Historical Park (Kailua-Kona)
Established in 1978 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of traditional native Hawaiian activities and culture, Kaloko-Honokohau NHP is an 1160 acre park full of incredible cultural and historical significance. It is the site of an ancient Hawaiian settlement which encompasses portions of four different ahupua'a, or traditional sea to mountain land divisions.
Puukohola Heiau National Historic Site (Kawaihae)
The founding of the Hawaiian kingdom can be directly associated with one structure in the Hawaiian Islands: Pu'ukohola Heiau. The temple was constructed to incur the favor of the war god Kuka'ilimoku. Built between 1790-91 by Kamehameha I (also known as Kamehameha the Great), together with chiefs, commoners, men, women and children. As British sailor John Young looked on, the temple was built and dedicated, a chief rival was sacrificed, and the war god Ku was pleased.
Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument (Honolulu)
The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument is the single largest conservation area under the U.S. flag, and the largest marine conservation area in the world. It encompasses 137, 792 square miles of the Pacific Ocean - an area larger than all the country's national parks combined. The extensive coral reefs found in the NWHI - truly the rainforests of the sea - are home to over 7, 000 marine species, one quarter of which are found only in the Hawaiian Archipelago.
Honolulu Engineer District Pacific Regional Visitor Center ( (Honolulu)
The Honolulu Engineer District Pacific Regional Visitor Center (PRVC) is located atop historic Battery Randolph at Fort DeRussy, Waikiki, Hawaii. The Pacific Regional Visitor Center is presently undergoing a renovation, but has on display an interim exhibit that describes the Corps of Engineers' mission in the Pacific. The PRVC is presently open to the public Tuesday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. The visitor center is closed on Mondays, Christmas Day and New Year's Day.
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge (Kilauea, Kauai)
Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge's rocky cliffs provide premier nesting and roosting habitat for seven native Hawaiian seabirds. It is one of the most important seabird nesting sites in the inhabited Hawaiian Islands. Reintroduction of the endangered nene goose began on the refuge in 1991 as part of a statewide recovery program. Predator control and a predator proof fence line around the perimeter of the refuge are necessary to protect breeding seabirds and nene.
Pu`uhonua O Honaunau National Historical Park (Honaunau)
Pu`uhonua o Honaunau National Historical Park preserves the site where, up until the early 19th century, Hawaiians who broke a kapu or one of the ancient laws against the gods could avoid certain death by fleeing to this place of refuge or "pu`uhonua". The offender would absolved by a priest and freed to leave. Defeated warriors and non-combatants could also find refuge here during times of battle.
Hawaiian Islands Humpback Whale National Marine Sanctuary (Kihei)
No one knows exactly when humpback whales first began wintering in the warm, shallow waters around the Hawaiian Islands. Narrative reports from whalers document the appearance of these majestic giants in Hawaii in the 1840s, but little evidence substantiates an earlier presence.
Haleakala National Park (Makawao, Maui)
The Park preserves the outstanding volcanic landscape of the upper slopes of Haleakala on the island of Maui and protects the unique and fragile ecosystems of Kipahulu Valley, the scenic pools along Oheo Gulch, and many rare and endangered species. Haleakala, originally part of Hawaii National Park, was redesignated as a separate entity in July 1961. Haleakala National Park was designated an International Biosphere Reserve in 1980. Of its 30, 183 acres, 24, 719 acres are designated wilderness.
Kalaupapa National Historical Park (Kalaupapa)
Two tragedies occurred on the Kalaupapa Peninsula on the north shore of the island of Moloka`i; the first was the removal of indigenous people in 1865 and 1895, the second was the forced isolation of sick people to this remote place from 1866 until 1969. The removal of Hawaiians from where they had lived for 900 years cut the cultural ties and associations of generations of people with the `aina (land).
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge (Honolulu)
Palmyra Atoll National Wildlife Refuge, a circular string of 52 islets, is one of the most diverse and spectacular coral reef systems in the world. Over 130 species of stony corals populate the reefs. About 1, 000 miles south-southwest of Honolulu, the atoll is the only nesting habitat for migratory seabirds and shorebirds within 450, 000 square miles of ocean.
Oahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge (Haleiwa)
O'ahu Forest National Wildlife Refuge is located on the upper slopes of the misty northern Ko'olau Mountains, and protects some of the last remaining intact native forests on O'ahu. Many of the native plants and animals that once thrived in these forests are either extinct or on the brink of extinction. Management intervention is needed to stabilize native ecosystems and prevent more species from becoming extinct.
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail (Kailua-Kona)
Established in 2000 for the preservation, protection and interpretation of traditional Native Hawaiian culture and natural resources, the Ala Kahakai NHT is a 175-mile trail corridor full of cultural and historical significance. It traverses through hundreds of ancient Hawaiian settlement sites and through over 200 ahupua'a, or traditional sea to mountain land divisions.