James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
Project Description
"This wildlife refuge was established in 1976 to provide habitat for Hawai‘i’s four endangered waterbirds: ae‘o (Hawaiian stilt), ‘alae ke‘oke‘o (Hawaiian coot), ‘alae ‘ula (Hawaiian moorhen), and koloa maoli (Hawaiian duck). As part of the O‘ahu NWR Complex, the refuge consists of both natural and artificially maintained wetlands. Two wetland units are included within the James Campbell Refuge, the Ki‘i Unit and the Punamano Unit.
The 126-acre Ki‘i Unit is a remnant of a much larger marsh system that was altered during the sugar cane era. Seven sugar cane settling ponds are now managed ...
Project Map
County: Honolulu County, HI
Project Size:
- 931.25 acres
Project Sites
- Site 1: JAMES CAMPBELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
- Site 2: JAMES CAMPBELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
- Site 3: JAMES CAMPBELL NATIONAL WILDLIFE REFUGE
Goals and Targets
Primary Goals:
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Education
Progress: Partnerships with local education organizations provide local schools with environmental education opportunities on the refuge. Outdoor classrooms offer an ideal setting for multidisciplinary educational programs. Some of these programs are provided by Papahana Kuaola, one of the refuge’s environmental education partners. For more information on environmental education opportunities, please contact Papahana Kuaola. -
Provide wildlife habitat.
Progress: James Campbell NWR provides habitat for approximately 117 species of birds and contains one of the largest concentrations of wetland birds in Hawai‘i, including four of Hawai‘i’s six endangered waterbirds. The refuge also serves as a strategic landfall for such migratory birds as the kioea (bristle-thighed curlew) and ‘akekeke (ruddy turnstone) from as far away as Alaska and Siberia. Unusual vagrant birds include the northern harrier, peregrine falcon, black-tailed godwit, Hudsonian godwit, curlew sandpiper, solitary sandpiper, and snowy egret, making James Campbell NWR one of the top lowland birding sites in Hawai‘i. During spring and early summer, ae‘o begin scraping shallow depressions for their nests as wetland waterlines recede and mudflats dry. The ‘alae ke‘oke‘o and ‘alae ‘ula explore stands of bulrush and cattail searching for insects and aquatic plants to eat. Amid the reeds, floating platforms comprised of various plants serve as nesting sites for both species. ‘Alae ke‘oke‘o especially can be spotted grazing on the short grass atop impoundment dikes. Young of all species, including the gangly ae‘o, can be found throughout the summer. Migrating shorebirds and waterfowl begin arriving in the fall and stay throughout the winter on wetland edges and open water areas. The greatest threats to wetland birds at James Campbell NWR are predation by nonnative animals, invasive alien plants, outbreaks of avian botulism, and, for the koloa, hybridization with feral mallards. Predation by feral dogs, feral cats, mongooses, and rats is a serious threat to all waterbirds on O‘ahu, and especially to their nests. Nonnative bullfrogs may be the worst predator on small waterbird chicks. These predators are controlled on the refuge to protect waterbirds. Invasive alien plants, particularly California grass and marsh fleabane, can degrade habitat quality by encroaching and choking wetlands. Plant growth requires regular control through prescribed burning, water level fluctuation, and mechanical clearing. The number of feral mallards on O‘ahu has increased since koloa were reintroduced to the island in the 1960s, and hybridization between koloa and feral mallards is now common and widespread. Recent changes in regulations have made it illegal to import mallards into Hawai‘i, but already there may be no pure koloa left on O‘ahu.
Targeted Habitats:
No targeted habitats were identified for this project.
Targeted Species:
No targeted species were identified for this project.
Conservation Actions
| Action | Status | Start Year | End Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Designate a new site (park, forest, etc.) | Completed | -- | 1976 |
| Increase acreage of (already) designated natural area | Completed | -- | 2005 |
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge Expansion Act of 2005, Public Law 109-225 |
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Outcomes
Is the success of this project's actions being monitored? YesMonitoring Activities
The refuge provides a sanctuary, but refuge staff must conduct multiple management activities to maintain and enhance wildlife habitat. The year-long growing season requires an almost constant battle to control aquatic and adjacent upland vegetation using mowing, disking, and prescribed fire. Without control, cattail and bulrush would dominate wetlands, leaving them unsuitable for use by endangered and migratory wetland birds. Water level manipulations also allow refuge staff to control the amount and location of mudflats, shallow and open water, and dry bare ground for foraging and nesting endangered Hawaiian waterbirds. During the nesting season, extensive efforts to control predators are conducted to help young chicks survive to flight stage.
Any Additional Information About The Project
Recreational opportunities on James Campbell NWR are limited exclusively to wildlife viewing and photography on select portions of the Ki‘i Unit in order to protect the endangered waterbirds from human disturbance. During the nonbreeding season (October - February), guided interpretative tours are offered twice per week, beginning from the refuge’s maintenance base yard. Two kiosks and interpretative signs demark the short nature walk that is led by a dedicated crew of volunteer docents. Birdwatchers travel from around the world for the chance to see four of the six endangered Hawaiian waterbirds as well as the bristle-thighed curlew together in one locale. This is one of the few places in the world where all five birds are accessible, making the tour of the Ki‘i Unit a must-do for dedicated birding enthusiasts and the general public alike.