The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge (Hanalei NWR) Officially Opens!

Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge Hanalei NWR
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Photo Credit: Laysan Albatross

Bird watchers and shutter bugs, get your cameras ready. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is officially opened as of Tuesday, April 30 on Kaua‘i’s North Shore, completing the trifecta for Kaua‘i’s wildlife refuges on the island — Hanalei, Hule‘ia, and Kīlauea Point — all managed by U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in partnership with the Hawai‘i Department of Transportation.

The 5.4-acre parcel shows off stunning views of the Hanalei Valley, Hanalei Bay, Hanalei NWR, and Halele‘a Forest Reserve.

Most importantly the viewpoint allows the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to share with everyone the wildlife conservation work being conducted and some Hawaiian history with the opportunity to display Kaua‘i’s beauty.

The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge was established under the Endangered Species Act to conserve threatened and endangered species, including five Hawaiian waterbirds that rely on the Hanalei Valley for nesting and feeding habitat. 

The viewpoint is accessible from Tuesday through Saturday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Resource: Excerpts from The Garden Island - Xiomara Y. Guevara 
 

Awards:

  • Nāpali Coast #1 Most Unforgettable Natural Landmark in the USA, and #10 in the World by Travel + Leisure.

  • Tripadvisor named Kaua‘i “Best Nature Destinations in the World 2024” and Kaua‘i was #6 and the ONLY USA destination listed among all the countries.

 

Travel Trade:

  • The Kaua‘i Visitors Bureau in conjunction with Hawai‘i Tourism Europe (HTE) will host a Product Managers familiarization (FAM) tour for 10 product managers from June 10 – 14, 2024.  The product managers will spend time learning about Kaua‘i’s history, culture, and experience the activities and eateries Kaua‘i has to offer.

 

Travel Trade Shows and Events:

Travel Trade Shows and Events:  KVB will be attending the following events with HVCB and the Island Chapters.

  • Travel Leisure Edge – Washington, DC: June 8 – 11 
  • HTUSA Educational Blitz – Denver, CO and Salt Lake City, UT June 17 – 22  
  • NorCal ʻOhana Event – Foster City, CA June 24 
  • Pacific Northwest ʻOhana Events – Seattle, WA; Portland, OR Tacoma, WA:  June 25 – 27  

 

Events:

June 2, 2024
Taste of Hawai‘i is the original food and wine tasting event for the islands and on Kaua‘i. Produced by the Rotary Club of Kapa‘a and countless community volunteers, this year marks their 32nd year of hosting The Ultimate Sunday Brunch with over 25 chefs, 10 beverage vendors, musical entertainment, and online silent auction. The Taste of Hawai‘i fundraiser event will be held on Sunday June 2, 2024 at the Smith’s Tropical Paradise from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Purchase your tickets online and reserve your spot at this year’s event. https://tasteofhawaii.net/. Free parking and shuttle service is available to/from the Vidinha Stadium.

 

June 7 – 8, 2024
The Kauai Songwriters Music Festival is a celebration of the art of songwriting. This year’s festival includes workshops for songwriters on Friday and Saturday, June 7, and June 8, followed by an evening concert on Saturday open to the public at the Hilton Garden Inn Wailua Bay. Tickets to the concert are $35 in advance. The workshops are $80 and include a concert ticket.  https://www.zeffy.com/en-US/ticketing/ec6566a0-e92f-425d-8a10-528316334d56

 

June 8, 2024
2024 Kaua'i Poke Fest. The 4th Annual Kaua'i Poke Fest, named top five food festival in America, returns to Kōloa Landing Resort on Saturday, June 8, 2024. The annual celebration of Hawai’i’s most famous dish features a competition between professional and amateur chefs with an original poke recipe, live local entertainment, food and drinks, and a poke demonstration by James Beard Award winning Chef Sam Choy. Proceeds from the event will be donated to the Hawai‘i Community Foundation's Maui Strong Fund to support the immediate and long-term needs of those displaced by the Maui wildfires. For tickets visit www.KauaiPokeFest.com.

 

June 15, 2024
The King’s Parade & Ho‘olaule‘a will be celebrating our King Kaumuali‘i and King Kamehameha on June 15, 2024. Enjoy the parade of the royal court and the Ho‘olaule‘a of entertainment, food, crafters, and cultural exhibits! Parade starts from Vidihna Stadium and ends at the Historic County Building at 9 a.m., Rice Street will close at 8:30 a.m., Ho‘olaule‘a is from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

 

June 21 - 22, 2024
Soto Zen Bon Festival brands itself with a festival theme, "Let's Bon Dance!" A festival for all ages, the folk and religious traditions have evolved on Kaua‘i for over five to six generations in the Japanese American community. Festivities are held at the temple grounds; Japanese folk dancing with taiko drums provides the rhythm and energy while dancers line up in concentric circles, dressed in colorful kimonos, yukatas, and happi coats, under a canopy of lanterns. Historical exhibits tell their story and guests are encouraged to participate in activities and enjoy the array of Japanese food.