The Hawaiian islands are home to some of the most beautiful, and unique, flora and fauna on the planet. Whether you’re a first time visitor or a seasoned traveler, seeing the wild nene crossing the street, or the monk seals lounging on the beach never loses its allure. Here we run through some of the wildlife you’ll likely see during your visit, and ways to safely enjoy their presence.

Birds of Kauai

Nēnē (Hawaiian Goose)

The nēnē, or Hawaiian goose, is the world’s rarest goose species, and can be found only on the Hawaiian islands; it’s also the state bird! Adult nēnē have black bills, legs, and feet, and black feathers on the tops of their heads. Their necks bear black and white striping while their bodies have chocolate brown feathers tipped with white. Although the nēnē was once on the verge of extinction, numbers have been slowly increasing thanks to conservation efforts. Breeding season runs from August to November, so expect to see increased goose activity during your late summer trips! You can see nēnē at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, or in any other large grassy area on the island; it’s not uncommon to see a family of nēnē crossing the road either, so be sure to drive slowly and carefully! It’s technically illegal to feed the nēnē, and we don’t want the wild birds to become dependent on human food sources, so please enjoy them from afar.

Ae’o (Hawaiian Stilt)

The ae’o, or Hawaiian stilt, is another common sight on the beaches of Kauai. Characterized by its black body, white underbelly, and long pink legs, the ae’o like to nest in wetland environments farther inland and travel to the beaches to feed on small crabs and fish, insects, and worms. Breeding season occurs January through July, with fledglings leaving the nest in early August. Again, late summer is the birder’s paradise on Kauai! Although stilt populations globally are stable, the ae’o, which is endemic to the Hawaiian islands, is considered endangered. Problems such as wetland habitat loss and the introduction of non-native predators and diseases have caused significant population decline in recent years. The Hanalei National Wildlife Refuge is a great location to view the ae’o which, like the nēnē, are best enjoyed from a distance for their safety and continued survival.

‘A’o (Newell’s Shearwater)

The ‘a’o, not to be confused with the ae’o, is also known as either Newell’s shearwater, or the Hawaiian shearwater. These birds boast a glossy black head and body, with a striking white underbelly, and are considered critically endangered. In fact, Kauai is home to 90% of the remaining population of these birds, with the other 10% residing on Maui and Hawai’i Island. Hawaiian shearwaters are rarely spotted, as they spend most of their life at sea, and during their breeding season, which runs from May to September, they fly to and from their burrows in the mountainous interior of Kauai only after nightfall. From September to December, however, which is when fledgling shearwaters make their maiden voyage to sea, it’s not uncommon to see fledglings lying dazed on the ground. This is because they get distracted by bright lights coming off residential and

commercial buildings, and circle them for hours until they fall exhausted from the sky. In order to combat this, from October 15 to December 15 Kauai county runs a dark sky ordinance. Homes and businesses are asked to point exterior lights downward, turn off unnecessary lighting, keep blinds and curtains closed as much as possible, and prevent pets from going outside that may harm grounded ‘a’o. For more information on the dark sky ordinance, and what to do with grounded seabirds, click here for the Department of Land and Natural Resources’ guide.

Moa (Chicken)

Moa, or chickens, are so ubiquitous on Kauai that they’ve become the unofficial mascot of the island. In fact, the chickens outnumber people about six to one! If you’re a repeat visitor to the island you’ve undoubtedly been woken up by the roosters crowing away at dawn, or seen a hen and her chicks

crossing the road. The roosters are usually a beautifully vibrant red color with secondary colors of blue, orange, black and brown, although you’ll occasionally spot a white rooster, while the hens are a more muted soft brown color.  Most locals agree that the wild chicken population rose drastically after hurricane Iniki devastated the island in 1992, and numbers have only continued to grow. The State of Hawai’i recently passed a bill aiming to cull feral chicken populations, though how that will be achieved is unclear. Despite their abundance on the island, the chickens are technically feral jungle fowl protected under the law. Therefore, tourists should avoid feeding the chickens, and enjoy their presence by snapping a picture from a safe distance.

Marine Animals of Kauai

Hawaiian Monk Seal

The Hawaiian monk seal is one of only two surviving species of monk seals in the world, and is considered critically endangered. Although the Hawaiian monk seals spend roughly 60% of their life at sea, Kauai is very close to their primary feeding grounds, and thus the best place to catch a glimpse of one. The South Shore beaches at Poipu are a favorite haunt of the Hawaiian monk seal, as well as the secluded beaches of the Nā Pali coast, visible only by boat or helicopter. Monk seal birthing season is in May, so the summer months are the best opportunity to glimpse a mother monk seal and her pup. As with any wildlife on Kauai, it is critical to treat the monk seals respectfully. Do not touch a monk seal or its pup, and keep a safe distance away if you encounter one on the beach. If you’re swimming in shallow waters and see a monk seal approaching the beach, slowly and carefully return to the shore and get out of the water.

Nai’a (Dolphins)

There are two types of nai’a, or dolphins, commonly found in the waters off Kauai: the Pacific bottlenose dolphin, and spinner dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins are the species most commonly found in captivity, and are generally larger, heavier, and have shorter snouts than the spinner dolphins. Bottlenose dolphins are also much more active during the day than spinners, and will frequently approach boats as they are extremely curious by nature. Spinner dolphins, on the other hand, are known for their dazzling, twisting leaps out of the water as they swim along in pods. Spinner dolphins are much smaller, and typically less active during the day, but

they prefer to swim in larger groups than bottlenose dolphins. Although you can’t swim with dolphins on Kauai, as they’re a protected species, if you take a boat tour along the gorgeous Nā Pali coast, you’re almost guaranteed to spot a few! Dolphins can be seen year round, but are especially active during the summer months from May to September.

Koholā (Humpback Whale)

The koholā, or humpback whale, is a breathtaking sight; whether you see one breaching, slapping the water with its fins or tails, or simply swimming smoothly through the water, these gentle giants will amaze you. Adult koholā can weigh up to 40 tons, and their calves are already a whopping 2,000 pounds at birth. Although many people prefer to visit Kauai during the drier, sunnier summer months, whale watching season occurs during the winter, when the whales migrate from cold, Alaskan waters into the warm, protected waters of Hawaii. From December to May you’re likely to spot whale activity off the coast, with peak activity in February and March. During these months, whale watching is best in the mornings when the ocean waters are calmer, although the koholā tend to be more active in the evening. The South Shore Poipu beaches offer a great vantage point for on-shore whale watching, as well as the Kīlauea Lighthouse on the North Shore. And, of course, the most popular option, which is to take a whale watching tour by boat!

Honu (Hawaiian Green Sea Turtle)

The honu, or sea turtles, are an important symbol of Hawaiian culture, and, like the koholā, are thought to be ‘aumakua (spiritual guardians). The Hawaiian green sea turtle is one of the only reptiles native to the islands, and is considered an endangered species. These gentle creatures are the largest hard-shelled sea turtle species, and can grow to be 300 pounds and almost 5 feet in length! Although they aren’t actually green in color, honu sport distinctive leopard like markings on their heads and front flippers. Nesting season for female sea turtles runs from May to September, during which it’s not uncommon to see a honu resting on the beach, although they prefer the shallow waters just off shore. Adult honu, their eggs, and their hatchlings are all protected under the law, therefore give them a wide berth if you do see one in the water or on the beach, and never touch or approach a sea turtle in any situation. For your best chance at spotting one of these iconic turtles, try snorkeling at Poipu or Brennecke’s beach on the South Shore, or Anini beach on the North.

The abundance of unique wildlife on Kauai makes it an exciting destination for both nature enthusiasts and casual enjoyers alike. Thanks to dedicated conservation efforts and legal protections, many of these endangered species have grown in numbers and reclaimed their natural habitat. However, it’s important as visitors to the island that we do our part in respecting the wildlife, giving them their space, and always cleaning up after ourselves. These beautiful creatures are experiencing continued habitat loss from human development, and even the little things can make a big difference in their continued presence on Kauai.