Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge - Definition and Overview

The Hawaiian Islands National Wildlife Refuge (HINWR) is a National Wildlife Refuge of the United States, comprised of the northwestern Hawaiian Islands, with the exception of Midway Atoll and Kure Atoll. The refuge is part of Pacific Remote Islands National Wildlife Refuge Complex and is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. It is not open to the general public; only those who have a special use permit are allowed to enter the refuge.

The refuge was established in 1909 by President Theodore Roosevelt's Executive Order 1019. It consists of a chain of remote islands, reefs, and atolls, including Nihoa, Necker Island, French Frigate Shoals, Laysan, Lisianski, Gardner Pinnacles, Maro Reef, and Pearl and Hermes Reef. In total, the refuge has over 1,805,403 acres (7,306 km²) of submerged coral reefs. These islands and reefs also provide habitat for the Hawaiian Monk Seal and Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle.

A wetland reserve providing habitat for waterbirds on Kauai was added in 1973 and covers 241 acres (1 km²). It can be viewed from Menehune Fish Pond adjecent to the park. It is inhabited by species such as the Hawaiian Stilt, Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Moorhen and Hawaiian Duck.

External links

• U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service profile (http://refuges.fws.gov/profiles/index.cfm?id=12526)
• Photographs of the refuge (http://www.gregvaughn.com/Hawaii/Fauna/)