Hamakua Marsh // Searching for Native Hawaiian Birds in Oahu

The Hamakua/Kawai Nui marsh complex is not only the largest remaining wetland in Hawaii, but it’s one of the only places in the world where you can find several species of native and endangered Hawaiian birds.  My sister Shannon has been working in conservation on Oahu for several years and has works on research projects with Hawaiian waterbirds

One afternoon on our way to hike the Lanikai Pillbox trail, we took a quick pit stop at the marsh to experience with of her personal favorite places on the island. 


RELATED POST: LANIKAI PILLBOX // A SHORT AND STEEP HIKE WITH AN INCREDIBLE VIEW


Black Crowned Night Heron // The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

VISITING HAMAKUA MARSH  // ONE OF HAWAII’S LAST REMAINING WETLANDS

Most people wouldn’t really give Hamakua Marsh a second look. It’s tucked away behind a shopping center and doesn’t appear to be that dissimilar from the rest of Oahu’s lush green scenery. Except.. it is. The truth is, most of Oahu’s landscape has been altered by humans. Waikiki Beach is almost entirely man made, created with imported sand, and even those picture perfect palm trees are not native to the islands. The Kawai Nui and Hamakua Marshes are special because they are one of the the easiest locations to experience a sliver of Oahu’s natural environment. 

The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

Several species of endemic Hawaiian birds (meaning they only exist in Hawaii!) can also be easily be spotted here. Shannon says that while the birds can be found at both marshes, she has better luck at Hamakua Marsh. 

I am not a bird-watcher, in fact, I really don’t even like birds… but within 5 minutes we spotted all 4 species, and something about seeing an endangered animal in the wild is always an incredible feeling. 

 The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

A visit to Kawai Nui or Hamakua Marsh will probably not be a must-see for most travelers, but if you’re a bird watcher or conservation lover, it’s a pretty cool stop to make and it will only take a few minutes out of your day.

TIPS FOR VISITING

  • Kawai Nui and Hamakua Marshes are disconnected by a roadway. Kawai Nui is the main wetland, and Hamakua is a much smaller offset. There is a 3 mile round trip walking trail at Kawai Nui for those interested in spending more time in the area.
  • These marshes are amongst the 10% of remaining wetlands in Hawaii, and they are protected wildlife sanctuaries. The environment is very fragile and important, so please take your trash with you and stay off of the banks. Also, please do not feed the birds.

The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

NATIVE HAWAIIAN BIRDS AT THE KAWAI NUI – HAMAKUA MARSH

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BLACK CROWNED NIGHT HERON aka AUKUʻU

The Black Crowned Night Heron is native to Hawaii, but not endemic. They are also nocturnal so we were surprised to see this one’s stocky body creepily emerge from the bushes in the middle of the day.

Black Crowned Night Heron // The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

HAWAIIAN MOORHEN aka ‘ALAE ‘ULA

The Hawaiian Moorhen is a waterbird in the rail family, and one of 12 subspecies endemic to Hawaii. Today, it can only be found on Oahu and Kauai, with each island being home to about 1/2 of the entire population.

You will recognize the Hawaiian Moorhen by it’s red frontal hood and yellow bill tip.

The Hawaiian Moorhen // The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

HAWAIIAN STILT aka AEʻO

The Hawaiian Stilt is endemic to Hawaii. It can still be found on all of the Hawaiian islands but is also listed as an endangered.

You’ll recognize the stilt by their long thin, pink legs. They have the second-longest legs in proportion to their bodies of any bird, exceeded only by flamingos. Be careful not to approach a Stilt’s nest as they are known to  dive bomb you if you get too close. Shannon says bird researchers sometimes wear head gear to protect themselves, lol.

The Hawaiian Stilt // The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

HAWAIIAN COOT aka ‘ALAE KEA

Like the Hawaiian Moorhen, the Hawaiian Coot is also in the rail family and it is endemic to Hawaii, as well as endangered. The population is believed to fluctuate between 1,500-2,000.

The Hawaiian Coot can be easily identified by it’s bright white frontal hood.

The Hawaiian Coot // The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...

HAWAIIAN DUCK aka KOLOA

The Hawaiian Duck is a species of mallard that can only be found in Hawaii. It is endangered with populations decreasing because of hybridization. They interbreed with feral mallards, making it difficult to identify pure Hawaiian ducks.

The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining 10% of wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for...


PIN IT // HAMAKUA MARSH: SPOTTING NATIVE HAWAIIAN BIRDS IN OAHU

The Kawai Nui and Hamakua marshes are amongst the last remaining wetlands in Hawaii. They are also the perfect place to easily spot native and endemic Hawaiian birds. Keep reading for more information, plus photos and which birds to look out for in this protected wildlife sanctuary.       

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