Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
James Campbell National Wildlife Refuge
WILDLIFE RESERVE
MAP
(
637-6330;
www.fws.gov/jamescampbell
; off Kamehameha Hwy [Hwy 83]; tours by reserva-
tion only)
A few miles northwest of Kahuku town heading toward Turtle Bay,
this rare freshwater wetland provides habitat for four of Hawaii's six endangered water-
birds - the
ʻalae keʻokeʻo
(Hawaiian coot),
aeʻo
(Hawaiian black-necked stilt),
koloa
maoli
(Hawaiian duck) and
ʻalae ʻula
(Hawaiian moorhen). During stilt nesting season,
normally mid-February through mid-October, the refuge is off-limits to visitors.
The rest of the year you may only visit by taking a volunteer-guided tour. Finding the
refuge is tricky, so ask for directions when you call ahead for tour reservations.
Eating
Always popular with circle-island tour groups and road trippers, Kahuku's
shrimp
trucks
are usually open from 10am to 6pm daily (later in summer), depending on supply
and demand. A plate of a dozen shrimp or prawns with two scoops of rice costs at least
$12. Especially around lunchtime and on weekends, expect long waits at the most fam-
ous shrimp trucks.
Tita's Grill
LOCAL $
(
www.titasgrill.com
;
56-485 Kamehameha Hwy; meals $5-15; 7am-7pm Mon-Fri, to 4pm Sat)
Real local flavor defines this drive-in, where
loco moco
plates smothered in gravy,
kalbi
short ribs,
laulau
and garlicky shrimp are all cooked hot. Grab sweet bread to go.
Kahuku Grill
BURGERS, SEAFOOD $
(55-565 Kamehameha Hwy; mains $8-12; 11am-9pm Mon-Sat;
) On the old mill grounds
in the middle of town, this tidy farmhouse-like cafe takes its sweet time cooking juicy
handmade beef burgers and thickly battered coconut-fried shrimp.
Fiji Market
MARKET $
MAP
(55-565 Kamehameha Hwy; mains $6-12; 9am-9pm Mon-Sat)
Hidden back inside the old
mill shopping complex, this Polynesian mini-mart serves up South Pacific curry plate
lunches with fresh, hot roti and also imported New Zealand meat pies.
Giovanni's
SEAFOOD $$$