The Nu’upia Ponds WMA located at the southeastern end of the base, consists of eight interconnected ponds, wetlands, and shrubland covering 517 acres. The Ponds, bracketed by Kane’ohe Bay and Kailua Bay, are home to approximately 10% of the endangered Hawaiian Black-necked Stilt (Himantopus mexicanus knudseni) population of Hawaii. Three other endangered waterbirds – Hawaiian Coot, Hawaiian Gallinule (moorhen), and Koloa Duck utilize the fresh water areas within the Nu’upia Ponds WMA.
The WMA also supports approximately 150+ ground-nesting Wedge-tailed Shearwaters. Many other waterbirds transit through the Ponds yearly.
