Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge (NWR) is one of only two refuges in Hawaii that is open to the public, and maintains a free Visitor Center, off of Maui Veterans Highway, Milepost Six in Kihei, which is also open to the public. The Friends of Kealia Pond 501c3 help staff the visitor center and maintain the gift shop as well as
Read About Kealia Pond
Take a walk through Maui’s Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Hawai‘i Magazine – by Chatten Hayes
Thanks to Maui County and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bernadette Perreira and other visitors can easily enter the wetlands on the Kealia Coastal Boardwalk.
From the boardwalk, visitors can spot not only the aeo, but also the black-crowned night herons called aukuu, migratory shorebirds called sanderlings (hunakai in Hawaiian), and between August and April, a bird with a colorful name, ulili (wandering tattler). It’s a birdwatcher’s paradise. Read the entire article >>
A walk near the pond
The Maui News
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge biological science technician Suzanne Conlon leads tours of the wetlands Tuesday mornings from October thru March for guests from as far away as Zurich, Switzerland. Read the entire article >>
A close look at pond life
The Maui News
Tipper Simmons and son Skyler Simmons of Makawao use a microscope inside the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge’s Visitor Center in Kihei to learn about some of the smaller creatures that inhabit the wetland. Read the entire article >>
Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge
Audubon
Kealia Pond supports one of the largest concentrations of wetland birds in Hawai`i. It is an important breeding, feeding, and resting area for endangered Hawaiian Stilts and Hawaiian Coots, and the refuge was created to protect these two species in particular. During spring and summer when water levels recede, the refuge may harbor almost half the entire population of Hawaiian Stilts, with a maximum of 1079 individuals observed in July 2003. Read the entire article >>
Board Members
Julie Urban, President
Julie Urban has been retired and a full-time resident of Kihei, Maui since 2021. As a working person, Julie spent the first 20 years using her Economics degree working in various financial services capacities for large multinational corporations. After so long in the world of finance, she realized a complete career change was needed for health and happiness. Julie returned to college and earned her degree in Veterinary Technology. As a veterinary technician (nurse) Julie worked in many different environments including small and large animal medicine, zoo medicine, wildlife rehabilitation, and shelter medicine. Julie notes that while veterinary technology is not a financially lucrative career, it certainly is rewarding, interesting and challenging. She never regretted her decision to change careers.
Being able to retire and live on Maui is a dream come true. Julie is blessed to share the Maui life with her husband Tony, two dogs, two cats and lots of wonderful friends. She volunteers regularly at Keālia Pond NWR. Enjoys weekly paddling with Maui Canoe Club, is active with Kihei Ladies Book Club and thoroughly enjoys her classes at Fluid Motion Pilates Studio. Julie is an avid birder and has been fortunate to travel to amazing parts of the planet to see birds and wildlife, as well as experiencing different countries, cities, and cultures.
As President of the Friends of Keāla Pond NWR, Julie will continue working closely with the Friends board, refuge staff, and volunteers to expand public awareness about the beauty and importance of Keālia Pond NWR, as well as providing continued financial support of the refuge through Friends sponsored fund raising efforts.
Joseph Dratz, Vice President
Joe is a Program Manager and Maui Site Lead at L3Harris Technologies and holds a BS in Physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
John Starmer, Treasurer
He is the Director of Education at Kumulus Technologies and serves part-time as the Maui Nui Marine Resource Council’s Chief Scientist. He co-founded and served as president and board member of the Pacific Marine Resource Institute on Saipan. He has studied biology at St. Mary’s College of Maryland, the University of Guam and the University of Florida.
Bruce Butler, Secretary
He served as professor of Human Anatomy and Physiology at UHMC for 25 years, and has been a Maui resident since 1986. He’s an amateur photographer who enjoys windsurfing and other water sports.
Marilyn Wright
Marilyn has spent much of her career in hospitals and clinics. She has now turned to the outdoors with a focus on educating kids about preserving and rehabilitating habitats. A love of birds drew her to Kealia where she has volunteered since 2017.
Andy Fox
Andy is a retired pediatrician living in Hamakuapoko. He now focuses on volunteering and on regenerative agriculture. Andy has been service trip coordinator for the Friends of Haleakala National Park for over 5 years and counting. He operates a small family farm and is active in ReTree Hawaii. ReTree combats climate change by planting trees. He is helping to restore the savannah at Kealia Pond NWR.
Website Photos by Bruce Butler and Lourdes Venard