Hanapepe, Kauai, Hawaii
The Hanapepe Peninsula is among the best sites on Kauai for land-based observation of seabirds. Species regularly seen from its headlands include Yellow-billed Tropicbird, Laysan Albatross, Hawaiian Petrel, Wedge-tailed and Newell’s Shearwaters, Brown and Red-footed Boobies, and Great Frigatebird. A pair of large ponds typically host a few Hawaiian Duck and “Hawaiian Stilt” in addition to various seasonal migrants, and the nearby fields and brush provide habitat for several introduced landbirds.
Orientation
Directions
Hanapepe is along Kauai’s southern coast, about 30 minutes’ drive (20 miles) southwest of Lihue Airport along the Kaumualii Highway (Route 50).
To reach the Hanapepe Peninsula, proceed on Route 50 through the villages of Ele’ele and Hanapepe, and after crossing the Hanapepe River bridge, take the third left onto Lele Road. This leads quickly to Salt Pond Beach Park and the Port Allen Airport.
Birdfinding
En route from Lihue, about a mile before reaching the town of Hanapepe, it is worthwhile stopping at the Hanapepe Valley Overlook to check for Yellow-billed Tropicbird and Rose-ringed Parakeet, which can often be seen flying over the valley.
The main destination at Hanapepe is Salt Pond Beach Park, which is especially popular as a seaside recreation spot for families, due in part to its quiet lagoon, sheltered by a lava reef. Behind the beach are two large ponds that have a long history of use for salt extraction.
It is possible to park in the parking lot and walk past the beach to explore the peninsula which has several seawatch vantage points. The trail around the peninsula is also accessible from the east side, where parking is available at the Port Allen Airport.
Yellow-billed Tropicbird nests in the Hanapepe Valley. © Eric VanderWerf
The most prominently ocean-facing point on the peninsula, and closest to deep water, is Puolo Point. The most easterly headland is Pa’akahi Point. Both spots, as well as several others along the half-mile between them, are good locations to set up in the late 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 January-May), Hawaiian Petrel (mostly May-September), Wedge-tailed Shearwater (March-November), and Newell’s Shearwater (mostly April-October).
The rare, endangered, endemic Hawaiian Petrel is sometimes visible from shore on the Hanapepe Peninsula. © Doug Backlund
Species seen sporadically include: Red-tailed Tropicbird, Black-footed Albatross, Bulwer’s Petrel, Sooty Shearwater, and Black Noddy. Rarities have included: Buller’s Shearwater and Masked Booby.
Resident waterbirds often present in the salt ponds include Hawaiian Duck, Black-crowned Night-Heron, Western Cattle Egret, “Hawaiian Gallinule”, Hawaiian Coot, and “Hawaiian Stilt”.
Migratory waterbirds that occur regularly include: Northern Shoveler, Northern Pintail, Pacific Golden-Plover, Ruddy Turnstone, Sanderling, Long-billed Dowitcher, and Wandering Tattler.
The rare, endangered, endemic Newell’s Shearwater is sometimes visible from shore on the Hanapepe Peninsula. © Jacob Drucker
Less regular visitors include: Blue-winged Teal, Mallard, Greater Scaup, Bufflehead, Black-bellied Plover, Dunlin, Sharp-tailed, Stilt, and Pectoral Sandpipers, and Laughing Gull. Vagrants in the salt ponds have included Ruff, Gray-tailed Tattler, and Franklin’s Gull.
Along the margins of the ponds and trail, landbirds to watch for include: Black Francolin, Common Pheasant, Red Avadavat, African Silverbill, Scaly-breasted and Chestnut Munias, Java Sparrow, and Western Meadowlark.
Services
Accommodations
The only large hotel near Hanapepe is the West Inn Kauai at 9690 Kaumualii Highway in Waimea, 1-808-338-1107. The nearest cluster of hotels is around Poipu.