Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge

Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was first established as an "overlay" refuge in 1988 to protect the area’s significant natural, cultural, and historic resources, while still under the primary jurisdiction of the Navy. With the closure of Naval Air Facility Midway Island in 1993, there began a transition in mission from national defense to wildlife conservation. In 1996 full jurisdiction was given to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. In 2000 Midway Atoll National Wildlife Refuge was designated the Battle of Midway National Memorial, so that the heroic courage and sacrifice of those who fought against overwhelming odds to win an incredible victory will never be forgotten. Nearly three million birds nest on Midway Atoll throughout the year, including the world's largest population of albatrosses, nunulu (Bonin Petrels) and endangered koloa pōhaka (Laysan Ducks). `Ilio holo I ka uaua (Hawaiian monk seals), Honu (green sea turtles) and nai'a (spinner dolphins) frequent Midway's crystal blue lagoon encircled by coral. Midway Atoll (Kuaihelani) comprises an elliptical outer reef nearly 5 miles in diameter, and 580,392 acres of submerged reef and ocean and three flat coral islands totaling approximately 1,549 acres. Sand Island (1,117 acres) and Eastern Island (366 acres) are the two most prominent coral islands of the Atoll, while Spit Island is only about 15 acres in size. The atoll, which is 28.7 million years old, is surrounded by more than 88,500 acres (356 square kilometers) of coral reefs. Numerous patch reefs dot the sandy-bottomed lagoon supporting 163 species of reef fishes and 16 species of corals. Many chants and moʻolelo (traditional stories) describe famous mythical floating islands in the sky, including Midway Atoll or Kuaihelani. These islands are referenced as a homeland for the gods, and revered as a place where ancestors reside. Kuaihelani specifically is said to have been located in the northwest direction of the main islands, and to appear as part of a cloud bank adjoining earth. Kuaihelani means “the backbone of the sky”. Looking at what we know about the northwest Hawaiian islands, large lagoons such as the one found at Midway Atoll are known to sometimes reflect the color of the lagoon in the clouds above, giving the appearance of an island floating in the sky. Another name that was given specifically to Midway Atoll is Pihemanu, meaning “the loud din of birds”. Pihe meaning “loud din of voices” and manu meaning “bird” references the comfort one finds in the “din of birds” when traveling alone or in isolated places. It also describes the sites and sounds of Midway in its current state. This name also helps to reference and describe the work that the Fish and Wildlife staff and our partners do to manage the biological resources of the atoll and to see those resources thrive. Today, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service staff, volunteer and contractors live on Midway to support the recovery and integrity of wildlife habitat and species while balancing their own human impact on the land and seascape and protecting historical resources.

Because of Midway Atoll's remote location in the middle of the North Pacific Ocean, it can only be reached by air, or by sailboats under a special use permit system. For further information please contact the refuge by telephone at 808-674-8237, or by e-mail at Barry_Christenson@fws.gov.