Educational Talk on Seasons & Waterbirds at Kealia Pond

Kealia Wildlife Refuge, photo by Wendy Osher.

By Wendy Osher

A free educational presentation on the seasons and waterbirds at Kealia Pond takes place tonight as part of the Maui Ocean Center’s Sea Talk Series.

The event features special guest speaker Glynnis Nakai, manager of the Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge and a 22-year employee of the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

The presentation will include discussion on the animals that frequent the refuge including the endangered Hawaiian stilt or ae’o, the Hawaiian coot or ‘alae ke oke’o, and other migratory birds.

The Kealia Pond National Wildlife Refuge is a wetland area that occupies 691 acres of land in south Maui.  In addition to the seabirds, officials say the refuge is also a nesting ground for the endangered hawksbill sea turtle.

The talk takes place from 6 to 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 27, with entrance provided through the aquarium’s front gate.

Reservations are recommended, with seating provided on a first-come, first-served basis.  For more information, call (808) 270-7088.