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Description:
Hakalau Forest Refuge consists of the 33,000-acre Hakalau Forest Unit and the 5,300-acre Kona Forest Unit. Both units are on the Big Island (Island of Hawaii). The Hakalau Forest Unit is located on the windward (eastern) slope of Mauna Kea between the elevations of 2,500 and 6,600 feet. The refuge was established in 1985 to conserve endangered forest birds and their rain forest habitat. Eight endangered bird species, an endangered bat, and nine endangered plant species occur on the Hakalau Unit.Habitats include grassland and open woodland at the highest elevations which are frequented by the kolea (golden plover), the pueo (Hawaiian short-eared owl), the Eurasian skylark, and eight species of introduced game birds. Below about 5,500 feet, the majestic koa and red-blossomed 'ohi'a trees form a closed canopy forest with an understory of native trees, shrubs and ferns. Here Hawaiian honeycreepers, including the 'i'iwi, 'apapane and 'amakihi, are abundant. Even the rare and endangered 'akiapola'au, Hawaii 'akepa, Hawaii creeper and the i'o (Hawaiian hawk) can be found along with the more common 'elepaio and oma'o. At elevations below about 4,000 feet, bogs, fern patches and scrubby rain forest dominate the terrain which is dissected by numerous deep gulches. Few native birds are found at the lower elevations because of mosquito-borne diseases such as avian malaria.The Upper Maulua Unit is open on weekends and holidays for wildlife observation and photography. Visitors may trek through open woodlands and native rain forest to observe native birds and plants. The Upper Maulua Unit is accessed through a locked gate off Keanakolu Road. Reservations are required and may be obtained by phone through the Hilo office. There are no visitor facilities or restrooms, and no food, water, or gas is available.The lower portion of the Maulua Tract is open every day between sunrise and sunset for public pig hunting. This remote area is accessed through the Piha State Game Management Area or the Laupahoehoe Natural Area Reserve (both areas managed by the State Division of Forestry and Wildlife). An arduous 2-hour hike is required over rough and unmarked trails. Reservations are required and may be obtained through the refuge office in Hilo.The Kona Forest Unit is located on the leeward (western) slope of Mauna Loa between the elevations of 2,000 and 6,000 feet and is somewhat drier than the Hakalau Unit. It was established in 1997 to protect endangered plants and animals including some of the last endangered 'alala (Hawaiian crow) remaining in the wild. It also supports substantial populations of the same native and endangered birds that occur within the Hakalau Unit, the endangered Hawaiian hoary bat and a high diversity of common and rare mesic forest plants and invertebrates.The Kona Forest Unit closed to the public at present. Directions:
The refuge office is located in downtown Hilo at 32 Kinoole Street, Suite 101, across from the Post Office. The Maulua Tract of Hakalau Forest Refuge can be reached from Hilo or Kona via the Saddle Road (Highway 200). Near the 29-mile marker of the Saddle Road, turn north on the paved Mauna Kea Summit Road. and proceed two miles. Turn right (east) on Keanakolu Road (also known as Mana Road) and drive approximately 16.5 miles to the Maulua Gate. A four-wheel-drive vehicle is required for the long and bumpy drive which takes about 2 hours each way. Contact the refuge office for reservations and current road conditions.
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