Hakalau Forest
Hilo, HI 96720-2788
Plan Your Visit
Hakalau Forest (NWR) is closed to self-guided activities to prevent the spread of Rapid ʻŌhiʻa Death. Visitors may access the Pua Akala Unit through authorized commercial guides including:
- Hawai`i Bird Guide LLC: 808-495-6545
- Hawai`i Birds LLC: 808-964-3535
- Hawai`i Forest and Trail: 808-331-8505
- Hawaii Bird Tours: 808-373-6364
- Hawaii Nature Explorers: 808-895-2350
All other units, including the upper Maulua Unit, remain closed to the public.
Visitors must arrange access through authorized commercial tour operators who hold the necessary Special Use Permits for refuge entry.
Get Involved
Volunteering for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service can be a fun and rewarding experience. Master new skills, meet new friends, and enjoy a sense of accomplishment from doing your part to conserve wildlife and the diverse habitats that support them for generations to follow.
Services
About
Hakalau Forest NWR contains some of the finest remaining stands of native montane rain forest in Hawai‘i, protecting critical habitat for endangered species like the ‘alalā, Hawai‘i ‘ākepa, and ‘akiapōlā‘au. Established in 1985 and expanded in 1997 with the Kona Forest Unit, the refuge encompasses diverse ecosystems ranging from high-rainfall bogs to majestic koa and ‘ōhi‘a forests. Since its inception, a massive reforestation effort involving community volunteers has resulted in the planting of over 400,000 native plants to restore former pasturelands.