The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service will reduce the days Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is open to the public to five days a week.
The refuge will be closed each Sunday and Monday throughout the year starting February 2-3. Visitors will be able to visit the refuge Tuesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. except most major holidays.
The reduction is necessary due to flat and declining budgets, according to a press release.
“The refuge cannot maintain the staff necessary to support a seven days a week visitor program and conduct conservation work necessary for the wildlife that depends on the refuge,” the release said.
The Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is popular.
It was established to preserve and enhance seabird nesting colonies and is home to some of the largest populations of nesting seabirds in the main Hawaiian Islands.
The refuge is also home to the historic Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse, which sits on the northernmost point of Kauai.
About 500,000 people visit there each year.
A five-year average of the budget for the refuge is about $1.2 million annually. Kilauea Point NWR shares 10 staff with two other refuges on the island of Kauai — Hanalei and Huleia. The three refuges make up the Kauai National Wildlife Refuge Complex.
After a trial period of one year, the visitation days will be reassessed to see if it is possible to reopen on a six or seven day a week schedule.
No positions or staff will be lost as a result of the change in hours of operation.
“There are many facets to operating a visitor services program at Klauea Point National Wildlife Refuge,” said Refuge Manager Shannon Stutzer-Smith. “Our staff is dedicated to managing the wildlife, cultural, historical, and other natural resources while providing a safe, high-quality opportunity for visitors. We can better serve both wildlife and visitors by moving to a reduced schedule.”
