Poipu, Kauai, Hawaii
The heart of Kauai’s tourism industry, Poipu hosts a large fraction of visitors to the island. The expansive resort landscape is productive for waterbirds and exotics, and there are several promontories—most famously Makahuena Point—that are well-placed for observing seabirds, which regularly include: Yellow-billed Tropicbird, Laysan Albatross, Hawaiian and Bulwer’s Petrels, Wedge-tailed, Sooty, and Newell’s Shearwaters. Brown and Red-footed Boobies, Great Frigatebird, and Sooty Tern. Species seen less often, but apparently regular, include: “Hawaiian Storm-Petrel” and Buller’s and Christmas Shearwaters.
Orientation
Directions
Poipu is at the south end of Kauai, about 25 minutes’ drive (14 miles) southwest of Lihue Airport. Take Route 50 west for 8.5 miles, then fork left onto Highway 520 which goes through the “tunnel of trees” into Koloa. At the T-junction in Koloa, turn right on Koloa Road, go one block and turn left onto Poipu Road.
For Makahuena Point, take Poipu Road for three miles, then turn right onto Pe’e Road and right again just before the condominium complex called The Point at Poipu. At the end of this side-street is a parking area for the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail and Makahuena Point.
Birdfinding
Makahuena Point. The southernmost projection of Kauai, Makahuena Point is one of its better vantage points for observing pelagic birds from shore—especially late in the afternoon. Park at the head of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail and walk south along the waterfront side of The Point at Poipu compound. It is about a half-mile to the tip of Makahuena Point. 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 February-May), Hawaiian Petrel (mostly May-September), Bulwer’s Petrel (mostly May-July), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (March-November), Sooty Shearwater (May-June), Newell’s Shearwater (mostly April-August), and Sooty Tern (mostly May-June).
Makahuena Point is one of the few places where Newell’s Shearwater is regularly seen from shore. © Jacob Drucker
Species seen more sporadically include Red-tailed Tropicbird, Black-footed Albatross, “Hawaiian Storm-Petrel” (mostly May-September), Buller’s Shearwater (mid-May), Christmas Shearwater (mostly May-July), Masked Booby, and Brown and Black Noddies. Rarer sightings have included Red Phalarope, Common Fairy-Tern, Blue Noddy, Gray-backed Tern, and Laughing Gull.
Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail. The Makahuena Point parking area is also the start of the Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail, which first runs between Shipwreck Beach and the Grand Hyatt Resort, then along the shoreline at the edge of Poipu Bay Golf Course for about a mile and a half. The trail passes beside several small ponds and marshes that are good for Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, Western Cattle-Egret, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, and several species of waxbills: Common Waxbill, Red Avadavat, African Silverbill, Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias, and Java Sparrow.
“Hawaiian Storm-Petrel” is fairly common offshore and can sometimes be seen from shore at Makahuena Point. © Annie B. Douglas / Cascadia Research Collective
The trail gives access to two prominent sets of bluffs with good views of the ocean, and often seabirds such as Yellow-billed Tropicbird, Wedge-tailed Shearwater, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, and Great Frigatebird.
At the end of the golf course, the trail peters out beside a ranch facility at Punahoa Point. Continuing past the stables brings you to a short trail to Makauwahi Cave. It is also possible to continue along the shore to Gillins Beach and beyond.
Kamala Point. An alternative vantage point for seawatching in a less developed setting is approximately four miles east of Makahuena Point. The Maha’ulepu Heritage Trail eventually reaches this area, but that makes for a long round-trip.
It is also possible to drive. Head east on Poipu Road, which becomes unpaved and turns inland and ends at a T-junction with another dirt road. Turn right and go three-quarters of a mile to the Gillins Beach parking area. Kamala Point is a half-mile east of the parking area.
Reports are few, but Kamala Point is about equally close to deep water as Makahuena Point, so it presumably has roughly the same seabirds, with fewer human bystanders. Over the years it has been among the most consistent locations for sightings of Hawaiian Monk Seal.
Hawaiian Goose is seen commonly on golf courses around Poipu. © Kevin Pero
Hoowill Road Pond. Along Poipu Road just west of Makahuena Point, the turn-off to the popular Poipu and Brennecke’s Beaches, is a side-street called Hoowill Road. Beside the junction is a perennial pond that often has Hawaiian Goose, Hawaiian Duck, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, and Hawaiian Coot.
Allerton Garden. Along Lawai Road, 1.7 miles west of the Poipu traffic circle is a seaside greenspace that consists of the Allerton Garden (of the National Tropical Botanical Garden) and Spouting Horn Park. An island of wooded habitat wedged between a golf course and the ocean, the garden and peripheral brush are good mainly for introduced birds, including Erckel’s Francolin, Rose-ringed Parakeet, Northern Mockingbird, White-rumped Shama, Warbling White-eye, Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias, Java Sparrow, Western Meadowlark, and Northern and Red-crested Cardinals.
The exotic Chestnut Munia is also common on golf courses around Poipu. © Cherry Wong
Waita Reservoir. Just inland from Poipu, east of the main road, is Kauai’s largest body of freshwater. The Waita Reservoir is surrounded by private land and might or might not be accessible depending on the circumstances of the day. During winter and migration periods the reservoir often attracts ducks and shorebirds.
Services
Accommodations
Poipu is the most popular resort area on Kauai. Hotels are numerous, but most are upscale. The most reasonably priced are condominiums. The local “budget” hotel is the Sheraton Kauai Resort, 1-844-631-0595.
In the middle of the local price scale are:
Marriott Waiohai Beach Club, 1-844-631-0595.
Koloa Landing Resort, 1-844-631-0595.
Ko’a Kea Hotel & Resort, 1-844-622-7889.
Or for maximum splendor, try the Grand Hyatt Resort & Spa, 1-808-201-4504.