Welcome to Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge,
a nonprofit formed in 2014 to advocate for the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.
Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge 2026 Photography Contest
Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, in conjunction with Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, are excited to announce our annual wildlife photography contest.
Every photographer who enters will honor their own work and help to support the conservation mission of Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, which includes improving visitors’ experience, developing environmental and educational activities, offering volunteer assistance with refuge projects, and fundraising to support the Refuge’s mission.
The 2026 entry is closed, and winners will be announced soon.
Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1992 by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is a 704-acre natural wetland in Kihei, Maui.
It is home to the endangered Hawaiian stilt (ae‘o) and Hawaiian coot (‘alae ke‘oke‘o) as well as to indigenous black-crowned night herons (‘auku‘u) and one of the largest populations of migratory shorebirds in Hawaii. In addition, the Refuge manages coastal beach strand habitat for native plant species, endangered hawksbill turtles (honu‘ea), threatened Hawaiian green turtles (honu), and nesting wedge-tailed shearwaters (‘ua‘u kani).
For more information about Keālia Pond NWR, visit https://www.fws.gov/refuge/kealia-pond/library
Visiting Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
The Refuge property offers a great opportunity to view native birds and plants in the largest remaining wetland habitat and dryland forest on Maui, with free public entry.
Keālia Pond NWR is open from 7:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with access to our pollinator garden and Kanuimanu ponds. Our Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the option to learn more about the site and what we have to offer from enthusiastic volunteers and staff.
The Refuge is open on the first Saturday of every month from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for guided walks with staff and crafts for keiki.
Help Support Us
At Keālia Pond NWR, we rely on our loyal and supportive volunteers to uphold our mission to protect and restore native species and to connect people with nature.
Restoration Volunteering
Every Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., the Refuge hosts a volunteer day where folks are welcome to join in on our restoration projects. These days typically involve weeding, propagating native plants, and outplanting the plants on the dryland forest portion of our refuge. Sign up at https://handsonmaui.galaxydigital.com/need/ or walk in.
Outreach Volunteering
Additionally, the front desk of the Visitor Center is entirely volunteer-run. Those interested in volunteering time to spend connecting with the public about Hawaiiʻs natural environment should contact our Visitor Services Program Manager, Allyssa Morris, at allyssa_morris@fws.gov or call (808)-318-4382.
Membership
Join our Friends Group! The Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Service strive to uphold the mission of the Refuge by fundraising, engaging and recruiting volunteers, improving visitor experience, and collecting donations. Join us here: membership.html
Mission Statement
Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is dedicated to helping the Refuge achieve its mission of conserving and protecting essential wetland habitat by promoting a better understanding and appreciation of the natural environment and native species of Maui County and, in particular, Keālia Pond NWR.