Daniel K. Inouye Kilauea Point Lighthouse | Go Hawaii

Kīlauea Point Lighthouse

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Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse

What: Beautiful views from Kauaʻi’s northernmost tip
Where: A 45-minute drive north of Līhuʻe
 
Perched at the northernmost tip of Kauaʻi, the 52-foot Daniel K. Inouye Kīlauea Point Lighthouse was built in 1913 as a beacon for traveling ships. Although its light was turned off in the 1970s and has been replaced by an automatic beacon, it still serves as one of the island's most frequented attractions.
 
The view off the rugged northern coastline and the deep-blue Pacific makes this the perfect vantage point for photos. The lighthouse is located within the Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge, a sanctuary for seabirds. Signage throughout the refuge identifies the various native bird species that nest or visit the area, including great frigatebirds, wedge-tailed and Newell’s shearwaters, brown and red-footed boobies and Laysan albatross. Watch them soar the skies or see them up close in their burrows. From December through May, you are likely to catch a glimpse of humpback whales. This scenic peninsula, 200-feet above sea level, is a must-see on your visit to the North Shore of Kauaʻi.

The Kīlauea Point National Wildlife Refuge is open Wednesday – Saturday, from 10:00am to 4:00pm. Reservations are required for entry and can be booked through Recreation.gov. An entry fee of $10 is required for adults 16 and older. Children under 16 are free. All Federal Recreational Lands Passes are honored, and passes are available for purchase at the Refuge.

Due to COVID-19, tours of the Lighthouse have been temporarily suspended.

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