FIND YOUR WILD at HAKALAU FOREST NWR’S
40th ANNIVERSARY EVENT
September 13, 2025
REGISTRATION IS FULL!
MAHALO FOR YOUR INTEREST!
HAKALAU FOREST NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE IS CELEBRATING ITS 40th ANNIVERSARY in combination with this year’s FIND YOUR WILD event (previously WALK FOR THE WILD) on September 13, 2025. The Hakalau Forest Refuge is located off Keanakolu/ Mana Road on the windward slopes of Mauna Kea on Hawaii Island. Attendees will need a high-clearance, 4WD vehicle to get there. But, itʻs worth the effort!
At Pua ʻĀkala, there will be a 5 km walk through the forest, featuring knowledgeable biologists, botanists, entomologists, and other natural history interpreters. In addition, there will be educational, natural history exhibits for all ages. At the Refuge, shuttles will be available to to take attendees from Pua ʻĀkala to the Refuge Administrative Area (headquarters) for presentations of research, demonstrations, and tours of the newly renovated greenhouse.
Hakalau Forest NWR is among the few Refuges that are not open to the general public. FIND YOUR WILD is the only day the refuge is open to the public. Registration is capped at 500 registrants.
Please contact Susan Miyasaka at susan.miyasaka@friendsofhakalauforest.org with any questions.
WHEN: Saturday, September 13, 2025
Registration opens August 10, 2025 and is limited to the first 500 people
WHERE: Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, Keanakolu (Mana) Road, on the slopes of Mauna Kea
REGISTRATION: Registration is full! Mahalo nui for your support.
We have reached the maximum number of attendees for Find Your Wild to be held at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge on Saturday, September 13, 2025. We have placed a limit on the number of people who can attend this one-day event to ensure that there are no adverse effects on native birds and plants. Mahalo for your understanding.
You could do your own 5 km walk wherever you like and donate to Friends of Hakalau Forest NWR through America’s Wildlife Refuges at: https://americaswildliferefuges.org/refuges/hakalau-forest-national-wildlife-refuge-2/. We will use funds on conservation efforts at the Refuge. Mahalo!
And you can be informed of the next Find Your Wild at Hakalau Forest NWR in 2026 by signing up for a free newsletter at: https://friendsofhakalauforest.org/newsletters/
WHAT IS FIND YOUR WILD?
The National Wildlife Refuge System (NWRS) is the largest system of public lands and waters in the world. Home to thousands of iconic wildlife species and the backdrop to some of the best wildlife viewing opportunities on earth, NWRS sites are located in all 50 states and are mostly within a couple of hours’ drive from metro areas. There are 570 National Wildlife Refuges across the US, including 11 within Hawaii, 2 units of which are on the Big Island (Hakalau Forest Unit and Kona Forest Unit), the only refuges in Hawaii protecting native forest birds.
HAKALAU FOREST NWR – WALK FOR THE WILD 2024 RECAP
About 450 Walkers attended the 3rd Walk for the Wild held at the Hakalau Forest National Wildlife Refuge, on October 5, 2024. A misty rain fell during the early morning at the Pua ʻĀkala Unit, but then cleared to sunny, blue skies. The Walkers all paid their respects and asked for entrance into our unique native forest with a beautiful ‘oli led by Leilā Dudley. Native birds were heard and spotted in the forest with the assistance of volunteer guides, including ʻiʻiwi, ʻapapane,ʻelepaio, ʻakepa, ʻalawī, and the endangered ʻakiapōlaʻau. In addition, insects and native plants were shown. When our Walkers departed, without fail, each face bore a smile, their hands waved, and expressions of mahalo were the order of the day.
Although the Walk for the Wild is free, we are grateful to those who donated. Over $6500 was donated to the Friends to use for needed supplies and seedlings on the Refuge.
Mahalo to the over 90 volunteers, the Refuge Staff, and the eight Natural History exhibitors. In particular, thank you to Patty Kupchak for serving as the Grand Team Leader for this Walk.
Please watch and share the 2024 WALK FOR THE WILD celebration video – we’re excited to share our success stories!
