Target Birds: Native waterbirds, wintering waterfowl/shorebirds, Mourning Dove, African Silverbill
Honouliuli is a subsection of Pearl Harbor National Wildlife Refuge. The 37 acre area is comprised of two impoundments and is a great area for native waterbirds and wintering waterfowl and shorebirds. The area can be viewed from two public vantage points, but sadly, access within the refuge is very restricted.
Directions:
From Honouliuli travel west on H1 and take exit 5A (76 South, Ewa). Continue on 76 south for 1.1 miles before turning left at a stop light onto A’Awa Dr (West Loch Fairways). Continue on A’Awa Dr for .5 miles and take a left onto Hamana St. After 100 yards take a left onto Aipoola St and then your first right onto Haiea Pl. Park along the street, but the cul-de-sac itself is no parking. Start walking on the asphalt road at the end of the cul-de-sac and after 100 yards you’ll see the fence for Honouliuli on your right. After reaching the dirt road you can continue along it for 50 yards to get a good look of the north impoundment. Return to the fence gate and start walking along the fence on your right. The trail along the edge of the fence continues for 400 yards and ends at a good vantage point to view the south impoundment. This trail was created by local birder Kurt Pohlman and is a great addition that allows visiting birders to get good looks at birds within the refuge. Thanks Kurt!
Birds:
Along with the typical Hawaiian waterbirds, Honouliuli is known as a local hotspot during the winter and migration for unusual ducks, terns, gulls, and shorebirds. The refuge never contains a large number of species, but the possibilities are great. Numerous rarities for Hawaii have been found at Honouliuli over the years. Currently a long staying White-faced Ibis can sometimes be seen. Other rarities that have been found over the years include Red Knot, Least Tern, Mew Gull, and Pied-billed Grebe.
The area is also known for its established populations of Mourning Doves and African Silverbills. The Morning Doves can usually been heard singing in the early morning or evening and the African Silverbills are usually found along the fence while walking out to the second vantage point.
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