Kahili Access
Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge Information for Owners
Seacliff owners may access the F&W preserve trails up Kahili Mountain to the crater view at Makapili and Mokolea.
Learn More: The Predator-Proof Fence
Much of what protects these trails is the predator-proof fence at Nihoku, just above Crater Hill. Since 2014, it has kept the refuge free of rats, cats, and other introduced predators, creating a safe nesting site for two of Hawai’i’s endangered seabirds - the ‘A’o (Newell’s Shearwater) and ‘Ua’u (Hawaiian Petrel) - along with the Moli (Laysan Albatross) and Nene already nesting in the area.
Watch: First Flight — Hawaiian Petrels Journey to Safety
Orientation is Required
Take a fun trail walk with Elizabeth to learn the regulations intended to protect the numerous nesting seabirds at Crater Hill.
Contact Elizabeth Freeman to set up your orientation.
Ongoing Access
Notify F&W before entering. Seacliff owners may access the preserve most of the time. The only exception is when there are eradication (like pig hunting) or other work projects underway.
Email Christa McLeod at Fish & Wildlife 24 hours before accessing the trails. Include your name, hike date/time, and number of people.
Access the trails via one of the two access points.
Stay on the trails. Respect the wildlife and culture.
Leave gates properly locked.
Need the gate code?
Email Elizabeth at freeperson@mac.com
Trails
This is an overview of the trail system and access points. If you hike all of the trails, the total distance is about 2 miles out and back from the main access.
1) The Pedestrian Trail
From the top of Makana’ano, we enter through the F&W gate in their new Predator-Proof Fence and follow the roads currently used by the Fish and Wildlife Department. The existing roads are maintained by F&W and have become the path that Seacliff residents have used when walking in the Refuge. Our Seacliff Deeded Easement has not been maintained and, in some places, is not even passable. Certain areas have actually fallen off the cliff!
Follow the Pedestrian Trail on the F&W Road till the end of Jorgen Lien’s Property until you see a Road going down the hill off the Main Road. Please don’t go out all the way to Mokalea Point!
During Albatross season, one passes many nesting Albatrosses. Please give them a wide berth.
2) Lighthouse Vista
A new clearing with views of the Kilauea Lighthouse, Anini, mountains, and distant Haena. Most of the North Shore is visible from this point.
3) Overlook platform
The powerful viewpoint from the old crater rim. Walk along the F&W Road until you reach a grassy area and veer left. Continue through the grass until you reach the Overlook Platform on your left. The F&W does Whale Counts from this Platform.
4) Mokalea Easement
There is a Lower Gate in the new Predator Proof Fence. To access it, walk from the Cul de Sac at the bottom of Makana’ano along the Lot 16 Driveway. About 40 feet past a No Trespassing Sign, you will see a Pink Surveyor’s Tape tied to a Christmasberry Tree on the left. Follow that trail until you reach the Gate. This easement meets up with the Pedestrian Trail. Continue right along the F&W Road until you reach the end of Jorgen Lien” 's Property ( Be sure not to go out all the way..there are F&W cameras, to Mokalea Poin, and you will be identified.)
Interested in the Lighthouse? Visit the F&W Official Website
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help.
Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better.
— Albert Einstein
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