Discover Kauai’s Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge—where history, wildlife, and breathtaking coastal scenery come together.
- One of Kauai’s most popular attractions.
- Combines a historic lighthouse with a nationally significant wildlife refuge.
- Located on the northernmost point of Kauai on the island’s North Shore.
- An excellent addition to a day exploring Kilauea Town, Hanalei Bay, and the surrounding North Shore.
- Open Wednesday through Saturday (except federal holidays).
- Advance reservations are recommended at Recreation.gov.
- Website: www.kauairefuges.org
- Map: Google Maps
Perched atop dramatic sea cliffs on Kauai’s North Shore, the Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge is a destination that appeals equally to history enthusiasts, wildlife lovers, photographers, and sightseers. One of the island’s premier attractions, the site offers sweeping ocean views, fascinating insight into Hawaii’s maritime history, and opportunities to observe native wildlife in a spectacular coastal setting.
A Beacon of History
Built in 1913 on the northernmost point of Kauai, the Kilauea Lighthouse stands as a testament to early twentieth-century engineering and the vital role lighthouses once played in maritime navigation. For more than six decades, the lighthouse guided ships safely through the waters surrounding the Hawaiian Islands, long before the advent of modern navigational technology.
The lighthouse’s iconic white tower rises 52 feet above the point and once housed one of the world's largest clamshell lenses. Its powerful beacon could reportedly be seen from as far as 90 miles away by aircraft.
After serving for 62 years, the lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard in 1976 and replaced by an automated beacon. Extensive restoration was completed in 2013, preserving the structure as an enduring symbol of Kauai’s maritime heritage. Today, visitors can learn about the lighthouse’s history through interpretive displays and exhibits located throughout the site.
A Sanctuary for Wildlife
Surrounding the lighthouse is the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1985 to protect some of Hawaii’s most important seabird nesting habitat. The refuge encompasses more than 200 acres of coastal cliffs, grasslands, and native vegetation, making it one of the best places in the state to observe seabirds in their natural environment.
Among the refuge’s most notable residents are the Laysan albatross, red-footed booby, wedge-tailed shearwater, great frigatebird, and the endangered Hawaiian goose, or nēnē. The steep cliffs and offshore islets provide ideal nesting sites, creating a bustling seabird colony that is especially active during the breeding season. Birdwatchers and photographers are often treated to spectacular views of birds soaring overhead or tending their nests along the cliffs.
During the winter months, humpback whales are frequently spotted offshore as they migrate through Hawaiian waters. Spinner dolphins, Hawaiian monk seals, and green sea turtles are also occasionally seen in the surrounding waters.
Spectacular Coastal Views
The scenic overlooks around the lighthouse offer some of the most impressive coastal vistas on Kauai. Looking north, visitors can enjoy sweeping views toward Kauapea Beach (Secret Beach) and, on clear days, the distinctive peak known as Bali Hai (Makana) in the distance.
To the south, dramatic sea cliffs plunge into the Pacific Ocean, where crashing waves and soaring seabirds create a constantly changing spectacle. Just offshore lies Mokuaeae Islet, a protected seabird sanctuary that provides critical nesting habitat for several species.
The combination of rugged coastline, deep-blue ocean, and abundant wildlife makes Kilauea Point one of the most photogenic locations on the island.
Planning Your Visit
The visitor center near the lighthouse features exhibits highlighting the history of the lighthouse, the refuge’s wildlife, and ongoing conservation efforts. Knowledgeable staff and volunteers are available to answer questions and provide additional insight into the area's natural and cultural significance.
A small nature store offers books, artwork, educational materials, lighthouse-themed gifts, and other souvenirs.
The refuge is located just a short drive from the North Shore town of Kilauea, making it easy to combine a visit with shopping, dining, and sightseeing in the surrounding area.
The Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge is open Wednesday through Saturday, excluding federal holidays, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Advance reservations are strongly recommended and can be made through Recreation.gov. Admission is $10 per adult (plus a $1 online reservation fee) for visitors age 16 and older. Children under 16 are admitted free.
Peak visitation hours are typically in the morning, while the entrance gate closes at 3:30 p.m. Most visitors spend between 45 minutes and one hour exploring the refuge and lighthouse grounds.
Whether you're interested in history, birdwatching, photography, or simply taking in some of Kauai’s most spectacular scenery, the Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge is a destination that should not be missed.
Kilauea Lighthouse and National Wildlife Refuge Photos
Barbier, Bernard & Turenne of Paris, France, manufactured the lighthouse's massive lenses. Weighing approximately 9,000 pounds, the lenses floated on a combination of mercury and compressed air and were rotated by an elaborate pulley system.
Windows were opened and closed to aid ventilation and, at times, to stoke the fire that powered the light.
Kilauea Lighthouse History
The story of the Kilauea Lighthouse begins in the early 1900s, a time when Hawaii's waters were bustling with maritime activity. The treacherous channels and unpredictable weather around the islands made navigation difficult for ships, particularly on the North Shore of Kauai. In 1909, recognizing the need for a reliable beacon to guide ships arriving from the Orient, the U.S. Congress appropriated $75,000 for the construction of a lighthouse on Kauai’s northernmost point.
Construction of the lighthouse began in 1912 on a narrow peninsula called Kilauea Point, chosen for its strategic location overlooking the Pacific Ocean. This location, while ideal for a lighthouse, presented significant challenges due to its remote and exposed nature. The project presented numerous challenges, including the transportation of heavy building materials to the remote site. Instead of transporting the materials by land, a landing derrick was built at the base of the cliff to move supplies from ships up to the construction site.
The structure was designed by the U.S. Lighthouse Board and built by a team of engineers and workers who braved the challenging terrain and harsh conditions to complete the project. After more than a year of labor, the lighthouse was completed in 1913, and on May 1st of that year, it officially began service.
The Kilauea Lighthouse is an impressive example of early 20th-century lighthouse architecture. Standing 52 feet tall, the cylindrical tower is made of reinforced concrete, a material chosen for its durability and resistance to the corrosive effects of saltwater and wind. (The cliff elevates the light to 216 feet above the water.)
A notable feature of the lighthouse was its Fresnel lens, a technological innovation built in France at a cost of $12,000. The complex array of lenses and prisms bent and focused light rays from the lamp into a powerful beam that allowed the light to be magnified and projected farther than ever before. Lighted by an oil-vapor lamp, the lighthouse’s 4-ton Fresnel lens was turned by a massive cable and pulley system on a mercury float. Keepers rewound the cable every 3 1/2 hours, providing power that gave the lighthouse a signature double flash of 1,000,000 candlepower every ten seconds. When the lighthouse was first lit on May 1, 1913, it was considered one of the most powerful lights in the world.
In the early years, the lighthouse was manned by a series of dedicated lighthouse keepers, whose lives were marked by isolation and responsibility. These keepers were tasked with maintaining the light, ensuring that it remained operational at all times, and performing necessary repairs to the structure. Life at the lighthouse was solitary, with the keepers living on-site with their families, far removed from the rest of the island community. The lighthouse tender Kukui, a 190-foot supply ship built and operated by the Lighthouse Service, was the lighthouse’s main source of contact and information with the outside world during the early years.
Among the notable lighthouse keepers was Samuel Amalu, who had the longest tenure of any Kilauea Lighthouse keeper, serving for ten years from 1915 to 1925. In a newspaper interview, Samuel stated that a “lighthouse keeper is a good job. I’m my own boss. A lighthouse keeper is master of all trades. He works with pick and shovel in the garden. He is a machinist to keep the timing mechanism of the light going. And he is a carpenter, painter, and engineer.” (Source: U.S. Coast Guard)
The lighthouse played a pivotal role in the first successful airplane flight from the U.S. mainland to Hawaii in 1927. When the aircraft Bird of Paradise, piloted by Lt. Lester Maitland and Lt. Albert Hegenberger, embarked on the 2,400-mile journey from Oakland, the Kilauea Lighthouse served as a crucial navigational landmark. As one of the brightest lights in the Pacific at that time, its powerful beam was visible from miles away, guiding the pilots during the final approach to Oahu. The successful sighting of the lighthouse, when fuel was running low, assured the pilots they were on course, ultimately enabling them to complete the historic non-stop flight.
During World War II, the Kilauea Lighthouse played an important role in the defense of the Hawaiian Islands. After the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, the Hawaiian Islands became a focal point for military operations in the Pacific. The lighthouse was dimmed to avoid detection by enemy submarines and aircraft, but it continued to serve as a vital navigational aid for Allied forces. In addition to its role in maritime navigation, Kilauea Point was also used as a lookout station for enemy activity. The strategic location of the lighthouse made it an ideal spot for monitoring the northern coastline of Kauai, and it provided early warning of any potential threats to the islands.
For decades, the Kilauea Lighthouse faithfully served its purpose, guiding ships safely through the turbulent waters of the Pacific. However, with advances in navigation technology and the advent of GPS, the need for traditional lighthouses began to diminish. In 1976, after more than 60 years of operation, the Kilauea Lighthouse was decommissioned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The beacon that had once been essential to maritime safety was no longer needed.
Despite its decommissioning, the Kilauea Lighthouse did not fade into obscurity. Recognizing its historical and cultural significance, the lighthouse was preserved as part of the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, established in 1985. The refuge, which encompasses the lighthouse and surrounding land, serves as a sanctuary for a variety of seabirds.
In 2006, a commemorative mark/disk was placed by the NOAA’s National Geodetic Survey to coincide with the 93rd anniversary of the Kilauea Lighthouse. The mark is located on the ground on the other side of the fence nearest the closest viewing point for the Mokuaeae Rock Islet. (Do not jump the fence, the disk can be seen from the sidewalk.)
In 2013, the Kilauea Lighthouse celebrated its centennial anniversary. To mark this milestone, a significant restoration project was undertaken to ensure the lighthouse's preservation for future generations. The project included the restoration of the lighthouse's original Fresnel lens, the repair of its concrete structure, and the refurbishment of the keeper's quarters.
Today, the Kilauea Lighthouse is one of Kauai's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors come not only to see the historic structure but also to enjoy the stunning views of the rugged coastline, the blue expanse of the Pacific, and the abundant wildlife that calls the area home. The lighthouse also hosts educational programs and special events, helping to preserve its legacy and educate future generations about its importance.
The Fresnel lenses were manufactured in Paris.
The upper portion of the lighthouse has a steel circular walkway with handrails. The metalwork was fabricated in Ohio.
The tower under construction on January 1st, 1913. Construction on the lighthouse began in July 1912, and it was dedicated on May 1, 1913.
There were no good roads between Nawiliwili Harbor and Kilauea at the time, so it was decided that the materials for the lighthouse would be brought in by sea.
A boom derrick was built to lift construction supplies to the top.
The derrick in operation.
A shark on the landing platform on July 4, 1913.
Three houses were built to accommodate the lighthouse keepers and their families.
Undated photo of the Kilauea Lighthouse between 1913 and 1939.
(Source: Department of Commerce. Bureau of Lighthouses.)
