Kawai Nui Marsh Hike

Rocky outcropping in Kawai Nui Marsh

   The Kawai Nui marsh is the largest wetlands in Hawaii at a little over 800 acres. I've seen people walking far out through the marsh over a levy but I've never stopped to really search for the trail head. Heidi and I searched for a bit and found a trail leading to this big, lava rock outcropping. It provided a great view over the marsh and even a little trail down to a fresh water pool, but no access deeper into the marsh.

Secret Swimming Hole

  After admiring some of the beautiful flowers growing around the trail we got some advice on where to find the trail to the levy. Our local advice proved much better than our smart phones so we were soon on the path leading out into the Kawai Nui marsh.

Heidi checking out the levy

Mountains and Marsh

  It is always interesting hiking through a part of the islands that is so unique. There are so many different environments here from rainforest, to desert, to wetlands, to sub arctic tundra.

Brazilian Cardinal

Our endemic Hawaiian moorhen

  We saw a couple of ducks and Brazilian cardinals with their bright red heads. But the real treat came with a couple sightings of the endemic Hawaiian moorhen. It is easy to identify with its red beak and head shield. It's nice to see some of their habitat remains.