Projects and Events

National Wildlife Refuge Week at Keālia Pond 

National Wildlife Refuge Week celebrates the public lands operated under the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and the Friends organization are hosting events during the week of 10/10/26-10/17/26 in support of the Refuge system. These events are free and open to all ages.

Tuesday, October 13

Talk story with the Friends

11:00-3:00

Get to know some of the Friends board members, take a look into the workings of the organization, and enjoy pizza.

Wednesday, October 14

Button Making

9:00-3:00

Create your own wetland-inspired buttons to take home and learn more about the Refuge.

Thursday, October 15

Volunteer Day

9:00-12:00

Volunteer with Refuge staff to assist in our habitat restoration projects by propagating native plants in the shade house and take one home to plant.

Paleoecology Talk with Dr. Stephanie Pau

5:30-6:30

“Ecological pasts, future possibilities: What paleoecology can tell us about restoration for the future”

In this talk, Dr. Stephanie Pau will discuss a vegetation reconstruction of the Waikapū ahupua’a based on fossil pollen from Keālia Pond, dating to before human arrival and covering vegetation changes during the Polynesian and European periods. She will also discuss how paleoecological reconstructions challenge our ideas of modern ecological baselines and, in turn, can inform future restoration efforts.

Friday, October 16

Sunset Birdwatching

5:00-7:00

Join Refuge staff at the pond for a guided birdwatching tour at sunset.

2026-2027 Illustration Contest

We are looking for local artists to represent the natural beauty of Keālia Pond through illustration. Have your artwork displayed on merchandise sold in our Nature Store, and recieve products with your work on them.

Click Here For Rules and Info

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 are now listed.

Friends of Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge 2025 Photography Contest

Congratulations to the 2026 Photography Contest Winners!

1st Place in Adult Wildlife Gregory Martin. “Ahoy, Mate!”
2nd Place in Adult Wildlife Lundie Robb, “Kona Storm Is Coming”
3rd Place in Adult Wildlife Warren Johnson, “Ring-billed Gull in Flight”
1st Place in Adult Flora Sharon Reeve, “Koʻoloaʻula, Red ʻIlima”
1st Place in Adult Flora Charlene Yoshizu, “Kīpūkai, Hidden Beauty”
1st Place in Adult Scenic June Ono, “Stunning Sunset!”
2nd Place in Adult Scenic Nathan Wada, “What’s Down There?”
3rd Place in Adult Scenic Laure Barthomeuf, “Darling, the legs aren’t so beautiful, I just don’t know what to do with them.”
1st Place in Youth Wildife Easton Vorhies, “The Aeʻo”
2nd Place in Youth Wildlife Ichiro Wada, “Bubble Beak”
3rd Place in Youth Wildlife Hitomi Wada, “Tag!”
1st Place in Youth Scenic Kameaola Taniguchi Butler, “A Different Perspective”