National Wildlife Refuge Minute
In partnership with Kauaʻi Community Radio (KKCR), this year we are producing a series of monthly radio spots to educate members of our community about the many species we help protect.
Listen in here and on KKCR - an incredible partner for the community of Kauaʻi!
May 2026
This month, we honor the history of our beloved lighthouse and celebrate the accomplishments of the latest restoration effort.
April is Native Plant Month and a great time to highlight the importance of the flora of our islands. Like the wildlife and people, plants adapted to our island environment and are crucial to its identity, and in helping Hawaii to thrive.
April 2026
March 2026
This month, we honor the koaʻe ʻula, or red-tailed tropicbirds, as they return to the Hawaiian Islands to nest. Kīlauea Point is a great place to view these impressive birds. Come visit us soon!
Photo Credit: USFWS
This month, we celebrate World Wetlands Day on February 2nd, established to recognize the importance of these unique ecosystems, which are defined as areas where the land is saturated with water throughout the entire year.
PC: Laurel Smith/USFWS
February 2026
January 2026
This month, as winter swells roll in and nourishing rains begin to feed and support our ʻāina, we are fortunate to welcome back the koholā, or Hawaiian humpback whales.
Photo Credit: Mike Williams
This month, we celebrate the return of our beloved mōlī! Enjoy this clip and check out a recent Princeville Moʻolelo by Louise Barnfield, filled with tons of great info about these majestic seabirds.
PC: Hob Osterlund
December 2025
November 2025
This month, we are highlighting our seabirds and raising awareness of how we can help during fallout season.
Photo Credit: USFWS
October 2025
This month, we join others across the country to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week. This annual event, held during the second full week of October, celebrates the great network of lands and waters that conserve and protect our precious wildlife heritage. Now, more than ever, it is important for us to recognize the value of public lands and to use our voices to support their protection.
September 2025
This month, we are celebrating partnerships and highlighting our friends at Mālama Hulēʻia.
August 2025
This month we are taking you on a virtual tour of nesting activity across the Kauaʻi National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
July 2025
This month, we are sharing information about an exciting program designed to help support koloa maoli populations.
June 2025
This month we are celebrating World Ocean Day, advocating for healthy oceans and extending a mahalo to our partners at the Surfrider Foundation.
May 2025
This month, we honor and celebrate the history of the Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse!
April 2025
This month we are celebrating Native Plant Month and highlighting the native plant garden at the Hanalei NWR Viewpoint.
March 2025
This month, we discuss the importance of partnerships in stewarding public lands and our collective work to enhance Kāhili Beach.
February 2025
This month we are discussing the importance of wetland ecosystems.
January 2025
This month, we are sharing information about koholā, or humpback whales, as we welcome back these majestic mammals of the sea.
Photo Credits: Mike Williams and Bruce Parsil.
December 2024
This month we are sharing information about the annual return of our beloved mōlī and our keiki environmental education programs.
November 2024
This month we’re sharing information about the ‘a’o (Newell’s shearwater) and ‘ua’u (Hawaiian petrel).
October 2024
This month we are sharing information about recovery of nēnē populations, as they begin a breeding season.
September 2024
This month, we are pleased to honor and celebrate the work of our friends and partners at Save Our Shearwaters.
August 2024
This month we honor the “Year of the Forest Birds” and celebrate the tireless work of our forest bird conservation partners.
Visit the Kauai Forest Bird Recovery Project online to learn more about their important work.
July 2024
Part of our mission is dedicated to work that will help conserve and, where appropriate, restore native plants within the protected lands of our three national wildlife refuges.
June 2024
This month we celebrate World Ocean Day and pause to reflect upojn our relationship with our oceans.
May 2024
We are pleased to welcome community members and visitors to the new Hanalei NWR Viewpoint - open Tuesday - Saturday, 9am to 3pm.
April 2024
This month we are featuring two endangered wetland birds, the ‘alae ‘ula, or Hawaiian gallinule, and the ‘alae ke‘oke‘o, or Hawaiian coot.
Photo: Hob Osterlund
March 2024
This month we are featuring Conservation Dogs of Hawaiʻi, a partner in our mission.
February 2024
This month we are commemorating Mahina ʻŌlelo Hawaiʻi, or Hawaiian Language Month, and celebrating the majestic koholā (humpback whales).
Photo: Mike Williams
January 2024
This month we are celebrating our beloved State Bird, the nēnē.
December 2023
This month we are celebrating the return of mōlī for their annual nesting cycle.
Photo: FKWR
November 2023
This month we’re sharing information about the endangered ‘a’o and ‘ua’u.
October 2023
This month we join others across the country to celebrate National Wildlife Refuge Week and highlight the endangered koloa.
Photo: Hob Osterlund
September 2023
This month we’re sharing information about the impacts of hurricanes upon the wildlife of Kauaʻi.
August 2023
This month we’re sharing information about the plight of our endangered Hawaiian forest birds and an exciting plan to help save them from the brink of extinction.
Photo: ʻakikiki; Credit: Graham Talaber.
July 2023
This month we’re sharing information about World Seabird Day and the incredible ‘ā!
June 2023
This month, we celebrate World Ocean Day and World Albatross Day!
May 2023
This month we’re sharing information about Migratory Bird Day and the species that visit us.
April 2023
This month, we recognize Native Hawaiian Plant Month and celebrate the accomplishments of the Nihokū Ecosystem Restoration Project.
March 2023
This month we’re focusing on the impacts of rising ocean levels upon our island ecosystems.
February 2023
World Wetlands Day & Hulēʻia NWR 50th
January 2023
Nēnē (Hawaiian goose)
December 2022
Mōlī (Laysan albatross)
November 2022
ʻAʻo (Newell’s shearwater) and ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel)
October 2022
ʻAlae keʻokeʻo (Hawaiian coot)
September 2022
Koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck)
August 2022
Ae’o (Hawaiian stilt)
July 2022
ʻAlae ʻula (Hawaiian gallinule)
June 2022
‘Auku’u (black-crowned night heron)
May 2022
ʻAʻo (Newell’s shearwater)
April 2022
‘Ua’u kani (wedge-tailed shearwater)
March 2022
ʻĀ (red-footed booby)
February 2022
Koaʻe ʻula (red-tailed tropicbird)
January 2022
Nēnē (Hawaiian goose)
December 2021
ʻIwa (great frigatebird)
November 2021
Mōlī (Laysan albatross)
October 2021
ʻAʻo (Newell’s shearwater) & ʻuaʻu (Hawaiian petrel)