Wailua Game Management Area
Description
Wailua Game Management Area (GMA) is a 1,697-acre public hunting area located in East Kaua‘i. This GMA is designated as “Unit I” and is a Bird Hunting Only Game Management Area. There are four different hunter check stations located in various areas around the Game Management Area. Hunters planning to hunt in Unit I (Wailua GMA) should review the hunting map at either Rice Gate or the Kondo Gate Hunter Check Stations to find out which paddocks will be open to bird hunting.
Hiking enthusiasts can also visit Moalepe Trail, which starts in the Wailua Homestead at the end of the pavement on Olohena Road. It begins as a right-of-way crossing a pasture lease within the Wailua Game Management Area. The trail enters the Kealia Forest Reserve at about a mile. It joins the Kuilau Trail at 2.15 miles. This trail allows for: hiking, biking, hunting, and horseback riding.
Activities
Hunting, hiking, horseback riding.
Permits & Rules
All hunting on Kauaʻi and through the State of Hawaiʻi is guided by the Rules Regulating Game Bird Hunting, Field Trials, and Commercial Shooting Preserves under Chapter 13-122 and the Rules Regulating Game Mammal Hunting under Chapter 13-123. Hunters are required to check-in and out of public hunting areas either through a Hunter Check Station (HCS) or via our mobile app OuterSpatial. To apply for hunts and purchasing of tags and permits for Kauaʻi public hunting areas visit our Go Hunt website. For information on Hunter Education, hunting licenses, or other issues, visit the statewide Hunting Homepage. The following additional conditions and restrictions will apply to Wailua GMA:
- Hunters planning to hunt in Wailua GMA should review the hunting map at either Rice Gate or the Kondo Gate hunter check stations to find out which paddocks will be open to bird hunting. Wailua GMA maps are also available at the State Office building in Līhuʻe.
- Game bird hunting only.
Want to stay informed about hunting on Kauaʻi? Join the Kauaʻi Hunters Email List managed by the Kauaʻi Forestry & Wildlife branch.
Game Birds
For details on game bird rules for Kauaʻi’s hunting units see Exhibit 11 from Chapter 13-122, HAR. Additional info is available on the statewide Game Bird Hunting page. Wailua GMA will be open for the entire 2021- 2022 game bird hunting season. Game bird hunting will be permitted on Saturdays, Sundays, Mondays and State Holidays.
Ring-necked Pheasant
Erckel’s Francolin
Black Francolin
Chukar Partridge
Spotted Dove
Barred Dove
Additional Resources
The following trail can be found within Wailua GMA:
Game mammal and Game bird hunting opportunities are offered on the six major islands in the State of Hawai‘i: (Kaua‘i, O‘ahu, Maui, Moloka‘i, Lāna‘i, and Hawai‘i Island). Each of these islands has one or more State-designated public hunting areas (called Hunting Units), which are open for hunting at certain times during each year. Game mammal and game bird hunting opportunities are also available on private lands as well. Occasionally, the Division of Forestry & Wildlife (DOFAW) may modify or cancel a hunting season in a particular area to adjust for changes in weather conditions or animal populations. For more information visit the Division of Forestry and Wildlife Hunting Website.