Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge was established in 1985 after its transfer from the U.S. Coast Guard, and consists of 203 acres of protected land.
Migratory birds such as the Pacific golden plover, seabirds such as the Laysan albatross, and Hawaii's State Bird (the nene) are some of the wildlife that use this refuge. Humpback whales, Hawaiian monk seals, and spinner dolphins can also be observed here.
The Kilauea Lighthouse found on the refuge was built in 1913 as a navigational aid for commercial shipping between Hawai`i and the Orient. For 62 years it guided ships and boats safely along Kauai's rugged north shore.