Located on the northwestern edge of Kauaʻi, Kōkeʻe State Park comprises roughly 45 miles of spectacular trail. But this lush preserve isn’t just a hiker’s paradise— it’s a must-visit destination for spotting native forest birds, with recommendations from prestigious organizations like the Hawaii Audubon Society. Boasting sweeping canyon vistas and verdant understory habitat, this treasured park provides a home to countless creatures, ensuring both seasoned and casual birders will spot something remarkable. So, pack your binoculars and a filling trail snack, and discover what Kōkeʻe offers adventurers willing to look.

Though you can certainly strike out right away on one of the park's many winding trails, I recommend making a detour to the Kōkeʻe Natural History Museum. Whether you're hoping to see a particular species or seeking more information about Kōkeʻe, you'll find staff and volunteers here who are more than happy to help. There's also a fantastic gift shop purveying Kaua'i-made items like crafts, art, books from local authors, and coveted Ni‘ihau Shell jewelry.

At Kōkeʻe, paths web and intersect, meaning visitors can shorten or lengthen their hikes according to their preferences and ability. That said, even the shortest routes prove surprisingly difficult. What rugged Waimea Canyon dispenses in views and avian habitat, it also dispenses in calf-burn. Stay hydrated and rest assured that you'll be rewarded for your effort. Vividly-colored, endemic species flit through the forest surrounding you, including the moa, ʻapapane, and cherry-red ‘iwi.

Some of the species at Kōkeʻe State Park are incredibly rare. Though it's duller than its neighbors, the puaiohi, for example, is one of Kaua'i's jewels. Boasting olive-gray plumage, this tiny songbird was first observed by Europeans in 1891, when British banker Lionel Walter Rothschild sent a sailor named Henry Palmer to the Halemanu area, just outside the entrance to Kōkeʻe. Even then, puaiohi were elusive, but when colonization brought a wave of invasive species to the island, this timid species suffered. Though it wasn't as ill-fated as Kaua'i's beloved 'O'o, its population plummeted. Today, 75 percent of puaiohis reside in the Alakaʻi Wilderness Preserve, nestled at the heart of the island. Still, lucky birders have spotted the species at Kōkeʻe, where it favors highly vegetated ravines and mossy cliffs.

Other species are no less charismatic. For instance, Kōkeʻe contains a thriving moa population. Are they chickens? The answer's complicated. Over 800 years ago, Polynesian settlers introduced Red Junglefowl to the Hawaiian islands. Centuries later, in the 1980s and 1990s, two tropical storms hit Kaua'i, destroying local buildings including chicken coops. The released birds interbred with the feral junglefowl, creating a unique Kauaian hybrid called the moa. Though moas compete with native birds for food, their high numbers also relieve predation pressure from vulnerable species, including the aforementioned puaiohi. All this to say, you're guaranteed to see this bold and beautiful bird at Kōkeʻe.

Are you looking for a place to spot some of Kaua'i's native birds? I recommend Kōkeʻe State Park. Not only is this reserve recommended for birders by Hawaii's Audobon Society, but it's also a breathtaking slice of Kaua'i's natural beauty, featuring mountains, canyons, forest, and the glittering, expansive ocean.