Lihue, Kauai, Hawaii
Gateway to Kauai, Lihue is a convenient place for arriving and departing visitors to find some of the island’s specialties. The Hawaiian endemic waterbirds Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, Hawaiian Coot, and “Hawaiian Stilt” can be found on resort grounds adjacent to the airport. Nearby Ninini Point provides opportunities to see pelagic species including Hawaiian Petrel, Wedge-tailed and Newell’s Shearwaters, and Brown and Red-footed Boobies. Southwest of town, the Hule’ia Valley is one of the better spots to search for Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, along with White-rumped Shama and Chinese Hwamei.
Orientation
Directions
Lihue Airport is the starting point for most visits to Kauai.
To visit the Hokuala Golf Course and Kauai Lagoons Marriott complex, leave the airport southbound on the Kapule Highway, then almost immediately turn left onto Ho’Olaulea Way which heads across the golf course to the resort’s facilities and offices.
There are multiple routes through the massive tourist compound. Heading southeast on these roads will eventually bring you to the Kauai Lagoons Marina, where the access road to Ninini Point Lighthouse begins, tracing the southern perimeter of the Lihue Airport property around the end of the main runway.
Access points to the Hule’ia Valley are along Hulemalu Road in Nawiliwili, starting about four miles southwest of Lihue Airport. After leaving the airport southbound, turn left onto Rice Street, then left again onto Niumalu Road, then fork right onto Hulemalu Road
Birdfinding
Lihue offers two areas of potential interest: Kauai Lagoons (including Ninini Point) and the Hule’ia Valley. They are about two miles apart, at opposite ends of Nawiliwili Bay. The Kauai Lagoons has much higher species diversity, but the Hule’ia Valley has a few forest birds, among which the Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush is of greatest interest.
Kauai Lagoons. The area generally known as Kauai Lagoons is a major tourist destination that includes two hotels and various resort facilities in the middle of a seaside golf course (now known as Hokuala). The main resort facilities are arrayed around a sprawling pond where all five endemic Hawaiian waterfowl present on Kauai can usually be found: Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, Hawaiian Coot, and “Hawaiian Stilt”.
Migratory waterfowl and shorebirds occur seasonally, and have included rarities such as Snow Goose, Brant, Tundra (“Whistling”) Swan, Garganey, Canvasback, Pied-billed Grebe, Black-tailed Godwit, Sharp-tailed Sandpiper, and Bonaparte’s Gull.
Various introduced landbirds are resident in the area, including six species of waxbill: most commonly Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias, and less consistently Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat, African Silverbill, and Java Sparrow. Northern Mockingbird, Warbling White-eye, and Northern and Red-crested Cardinals are always present, and sometimes Rose-ringed Parakeet, Western Meadowlark, and Saffron Finch.
Ninini Point. Just east of Kauai Lagoons, Ninini Point juts south prominently between Nawiliwili Bay and the open Pacific, guarded by a lighthouse that is known by either name, Ninini Point or Nawiliwili. Public access to the lighthouse grounds has generally been allowed, and the site can be a productive seawatch point—especially late in the afternoon. As with most seawatches, the birds are often too distant to see clearly, and a strong spotting scope is at least preferable, if not essential.
Species seen regularly year-round, or nearly so, include: Yellow-billed Tropicbird, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, and Great Frigatebird.
Seasonally regular species include. Laysan Albatross (mostly March-April), Hawaiian Petrel (mostly April-July), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (March-November), Sooty Shearwater (April-May), Newell’s Shearwater (mostly April-August), and Sooty Tern (mostly April-May).
Species seen more sporadically include: Red-tailed Tropicbird, Black-footed Albatross, Masked Booby, Bulwer’s Petrel (mostly May-July), Pomarine Jaeger, and Brown and Black Noddies.
Wedge-tailed Shearwater is seasonally common at Ninini Point. © Ian Davies
Rarer sightings have included: Long-tailed Jaeger, Mottled Petrel, and Buller’s Shearwater.
Kamilo Point. The airport perimeter road continues past Ninini Point along the bluffs and after about a half-mile reaches another promontory, Kamilo Point. There seem to be few reports of seawatches here, but assuming that it is accessible it would appear to be a comparably good vantage point.
Menehune Fishpond. Driving west on Hulemalu Road from the marina area, the road bends sharply right as it climbs a steep hill. At the top of the hill on the left is a small pullout that affords a view of Menehune Fishpond (a.k.a. Alakoko Pond). The view of the pond is somewhat distant but often includes Hawaiian Duck, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, Hawaiian Coot, and “Hawaiian Stilt”.
Haiku Road. About 1.5 miles west of the overlook, Hulemalu Road crosses a small stream and bends left then begins a longer curve to the right. As it begins to curve right, turn left onto Haiku Road, and find a safe place to pull over. Haiku Road descends a forested slope, then bends sharply to the right (west) and continues through tall wooded gardens to a stone bridge over Hule’ia Stream.
Historically, the woods along Haiku Road have often produced Greater Necklaced Laughingthrush, usually Chinese Hwamei, and always White-rumped Shama. Rose-ringed Parakeet also occurs in these woods and can sometimes be seen along Hulemalu Road west of Haiku Road.
Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge. Much of the Hule’ia Valley is protected as Hule’ia National Wildlife Refuge. There is no land access to the refuge, but it is possible to visit by canoe or kayak, which are available for rent at the Nawiliwili Harbor marina.
Services
Accommodations
Lihue’s various hotels include:
Kauai Palms Motel, 1-808-246-0908.
Banyan Harbor Resort, 1-808-245-7333.
Kauai Inn, 1-808-245-9000.
Tip Top Motel, Café & Bakery, 1-808-245-2333.
Kauai Beach Resort, 1-808-245-1955.
Kauai Marriott Resort, 1-808-245-5050
And the luxury resort, Marriott Kauai Lagoons – Kalanipu’u, 1-808-632-8202.