Mohihi-Waialae Trail

22.11739 , -159.60169

United States of America (USA)

The best site to find native forest birds on Kaua'i, but perhaps the least accessible trail on the island. Requires a 6.5 mile drive down a 4WD only road to get to trailhead. Only realistic place to find Akikiki (expected to be extinct in the wild by 2024), and the best place to find Akekee and Puaiohi, not likely to be seen anywhere else. Best place to find Anianiau, and best place on Kaua'i to find Iiwi. Apapane are very common, Kauai Elepaio are common, Kauai Amakihi are fairly common. Most of the birds (including rarest ones) found about 3.5 miles into the trail. Hike is somewhat strenuous, somewhat overgrown, little-traveled, and has some points with a narrow trail that may collapse somewhat underfoot on the edge of steep slopes into inaccessible wilderness. Caution and company advised.

Delete exact location

The introductory text should contain general information about the site, which may include for instance:
• geographic/ biogeographic location
• habitat and vegetation
• typical bird species/bird communities
• protection status
• land use and history
• importance for birdwatching

Coordinates were set by Adrian Burke : 22.1174/-159.6017 (2022-09-13 05:15:52 )

Site name was set by Adrian Burke as "Mohihi-Waialae Trail" (2022-09-13 05:15:52 )

Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 05:23:22
The best site to find native forest birds on Kaua'i, but perhaps the least accessible trail on the island. Requires a 6.5 mile drive down a 4WD only road to get to trailhead. Only realistic place to find Akikiki (expected to be extinct in the wild by 2024), and the best place to find Akekee and Puaiohi, not likely to be seen anywhere else. Best place to find Anianiau, and best place on Kaua'i to find Iiwi. Apapane are very common, Kauai Elepaio are common, Kauai Amakihi are fairly common. Most of the birds (including rarest ones) found about 3.5 miles into the trail. Hike is somewhat strenuous, somewhat overgrown, little-traveled, and has some points with a narrow trail that may collapse somewhat underfoot on the edge of steep slopes into inaccessible wilderness. Caution and company advised.

  • Top species

List up to ca. 25 species that:
• have a limited distribution range and/or are rare on a global level
• are most sought-after by birdwatchers at this site
• and are relatively easy to see at this site (year-round or seasonally)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus)
Kauai Elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri)
Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri)
Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi)
Apapane (Himatione sanguinea)
Iiwi (Drepanis coccinea)
Anianiau (Magumma parva)
Kauai Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri)
Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris)

Short-eared Owl (Asio flammeus) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:24:54)

Kauai Amakihi (Chlorodrepanis stejnegeri) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:18:03)

Kauai Elepaio (Chasiempis sclateri) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:17:28)

Anianiau (Magumma parva) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:17:19)

Apapane (Himatione sanguinea) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:17:08)

Iiwi (Drepanis coccinea) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:16:57)

Akekee (Loxops caeruleirostris) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:16:48)

Puaiohi (Myadestes palmeri) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:16:35)

Akikiki (Oreomystis bairdi) was added by Adrian Burke (2022-09-13 05:16:24)

  • Timing and strategy

Year-round, but most likely accessible during the relatively dry summer.

Give recommendations for making your visit as productive as possible.
This may include for instance:
• best season
• best time of the day
• how much time to spend at the site
• best means of locomotion within the site
• recommended routes / areas within the site
• guiding

Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 05:23
Year-round, but most likely accessible during the relatively dry summer.
  • How to get there

Drive up Waimea Canyon Drive and turn right onto the Mohihi-Camp 10 Road at the Koke'e Lodge. 4WD vehicles only! 6.5 mile 4WD road is very rough and may be impassable, even with 4WD.

Explain from where and how to get to this site with private and public transport.

Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 05:19
Drive up Waimea Canyon Drive and turn right onto the Mohihi-Camp 10 Road at the Koke'e Lodge. 4WD vehicles only! 6.5 mile 4WD road is very rough and may be impassable, even with 4WD.

Provide information on how to enter this site, which may include:
• entry points
• entry permits / entry tickets and fees
• opening hours / opening season
• other restrictions

Note that this section should only contain information on how to ACCESS (= enter) a site. Info on how to REACH a site should be added to "How to get there" section.

Not available yet
  • Other attractions

Native, endemic, and threatened plants. Some good views of Waimea Canyon.

Add information about other attractions at this site, including
• wildlife (apart from birds)
• sights (natural, cultural, archaeological, etc.)
• activities (e.g. for non-birding companions)

Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 05:24
Native, endemic, and threatened plants. Some good views of Waimea Canyon.

Provide information about what type of facilities are available at
or near this site, including:
• information centers / information points
• catering
• accommodation
• hides and watchtowers
• restrooms / toilets

Not available yet

No cell phone service.

Are there any security issues or other annoyances at this site? For
instance, these may include:
• offenses like robbery or theft
• natural hazards
• dangerous or annoying animals or plants (mosquitoes, leaches, thorn bushes, etc.)
• noise pollution

Edited by Adrian Burke on 2022-09-13 05:24
No cell phone service.
All information about this site was contributed by Orniverse users. Neither Orniverse nor the contributors accept responsibility for the completeness and accuracy of the information provided.

Contributors

Adrian Burke

Local guides

Gallery

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Reports

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Species:
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Mohihi-Waialae Trail - Orniverse