Waiheʻe Coastal Dunes and Wetlands Refuge Trail

The signed track starts by the refuge gate. About 1,000 feet in, a fork beside the former dairy and refuge map offers a left-hand detour through native-plant restoration work that rejoins the coast. For the core walk, continue along the coastal track to the river mouth, then return the same way. Some route directions show a parallel return path and call it a loop, so check the refuge's posted map at the fork if you want that option. The line here maps the coastal corridor once; the 2.6 miles includes the walk back.

The 277-acre refuge protects coastal dunes, wetlands, shoreline and riparian habitat. Hawaiʻi Land Trust took ownership in 2004, after the land had been proposed for a golf resort. Two ancient Hawaiian villages, Kapoho and Kapokea, stood here, alongside an inland fishpond and several heiau, or temple sites. The restoration detour is a good place to notice native plantings such as naupaka and pōhinahina. Don't move rocks, sand or soil, and don't enter structures; archaeological sites are part of the landscape.

The wetlands are home to native waterbirds including the endangered aeʻo, or Hawaiian stilt, and ʻalae keʻokeʻo, the Hawaiian coot. Hawaiian monk seals and nesting green turtles also use the shoreline, though a sighting is never guaranteed. The river mouth is the walk's best broad coastal view; include the dark shore rocks in the foreground to show how the stream meets the sea. Some areas can close during wildlife breeding periods or to protect cultural and burial sites, so stay within any posted open route.

From Kahekili Highway, take Halewaiu Road toward Waiehu Golf Course and follow the refuge signs. After about 0.4 mile, turn left at the refuge sign; the road ends roughly 0.2 mile later, with the refuge entrance on the left and a beach lot on the right. Parking is on grass by the entrance or in that adjacent lot. The walk is exposed to sun and wind, and the shore can be uneven underfoot. Hawaiʻi Land Trust's posted rules prohibit dogs beyond the yellow tube gate; the gate along Halewaiu Road is locked at night. Food and drinking water were not listed, and restroom reports conflict, so don't count on facilities.