At the very beginning of Kihei town’s entrance and just past Maalaea, there is a serene oasis of natural beauty that makes everyone pause: the Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge.
Covering 700 acres, this refuge expands along both sides of the highway and was established in 1992 to protect and conserve the endangered Hawaiian waterbirds and their habitats and is an unofficial landmark along the scenic drive heading towards Kihei from Maalaea.
The Keālia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is an important sanctuary for various bird species that are native to Hawaii. The refuge is home to a variety of waterbirds, including the Hawaiian coot, Hawaiian duck, and the endangered Hawaiian stilt. As the largest lowland wetland remaining on Maui, visitors
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