Kanaha Pond, Maui, Hawaii
Almost adjacent to Kahului Airport in central Maui, Kanaha Pond is one of the island’s most productive wetlands. It was protected as a nesting area for Hawaiian Coot and “Hawaiian Stilt”, and supports several other wetland birds, especially winter migrants, including Hawaiian Goose (a downslope migrant) and several species of waterfowl and shorebirds. Brushy areas often produce Black and Gray Francolins and three waxbills: African Silverbill and Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias.
Orientation
Directions
From Kahului Airport take Airport Road toward Kahului, turn right onto the Hana Highway, then turn right again onto Dairy Road, then left onto Route 36A. The parking lot for the Kanaha Pond observation deck will be the first right turn, on the south side of the pond.
From downtown Kahului, take the Hana Highway east, then turn left Route 36A. The parking lot for the Kanaha Pond observation deck will be the first left turn.
Birdfinding
Kanaha Pond has four access points: northwest, southwest, northeast, and southeast.
In the southwest there is a parking lot and a covered observation deck. This is the original public access point and it is open all year.
The other three gates open into a trail system—the remnant roads of an old military camp. On the eastern side of the pond one old road runs north-south, and five side streets run west from it to the pond. This trail system is open to the public from September through March (it is closed during the breeding season for Hawaiian Coot and “Hawaiian Stilt”).
“Hawaiian Stilt” at Kanaha Pond. © John Sullivan
Notes
When to Visit
The observation deck is always open. Access to the trail system is limited to September through March, but visitors sometimes find all the gates locked when they are supposed to be open.