The 277-Acre Coastal Dune And Wetland Refuge In Hawaii That Will Bring Out Your Inner Explorer
By Megan Shute|Published June 19, 2019
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
From cascading waterfalls found within lush rainforests and pristine beaches in a variety of colors to incredible rock formations, magnificent caves, and the magical spot where flowing lava enters the ocean, the Hawaiian Islands are home to countless incredible natural attractions. With nearly 11,000 acres of natural beauty to uncover, we could write about a thousand fantastic natural attractions found across the Hawaiian Islands, but we’ve neglected to mention one of the coolest natural oases in the Aloha State… until now, that is.
Nestled along the northeastern coast of Maui just north of Kahului, the Waihee Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge is one of the prettiest, untouched destinations in all of Hawaii.
Measuring in at 277 acres, this sprawling wildlife refuge was taken over by the Hawaiian Island Land Trust in 2004, and active restoration efforts have aided in the returning health of the ecosystem.
This 103-acre area of dunes that is nestled at the base of the West Maui Mountains is one of the last remaining habitats like this on the island of Maui.
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...as well as 7,000 feet of rugged and wild marine shoreline.
An extensive reef off the coast is one of the longest and widest on Maui. This reef system once provided excellent fishing in ancient times, and is, in fact, still a favorite among local fishermen.
It was once populated with two thriving ancient Hawaiian villages, an extensive inland fishpond, and several heiaus. The sense of history you’ll discover here is outstanding.
If you're looking to get away from it all and experience a slice of Hawaiian coastline that has been untouched by development, this is it.
While you can visit for yourself, one of the best ways to visit this coastal gem is with a volunteer trip to remove invasive plant species, helping to restore a critical native wildlife habitat.
Though the refuge is open to the public, you will have to leave your furry friends at home, since no pets, particularly dogs, are allowed within the preserve in an attempt to protect conservation and the native wildlife and habitats you’ll find here.
Address: Halewaiu Road, Wailuku, HI 96793
Have you ever been to the positively enchanting Waihee Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge? Share your experiences and opinions in the comments below, then join our Hawaii Nature Lovers Facebook group to share photos of this natural oasis and all of the others you’ll find across the islands.
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