Mokoliʻi facts for kids
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| Geography | |
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| Location | Oahu, Hawaii |
| Coordinates | 21°30′33″N 157°49′47″W / 21.5092°N 157.8297°W |
| Area | 12.5 acres (5.1 ha) |
| Highest elevation | 206 ft (62.8 m) |
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United States
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Mokoliʻi, often called Chinaman's Hat, is a small island made of basalt rock. It is located in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii. Mokoliʻi is part of Kualoa Regional Park. It sits about one-third of a mile offshore from Kualoa Point, Oahu. This 12.5-acre island was once part of a rocky ridge on Oahu. Over time, ocean waves separated it from the main island.
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What's in a Name? Mokoliʻi and Chinaman's Hat
The name Mokoliʻi comes from the Hawaiian language. It means "little lizard." An old Hawaiian story says the island is the tail of a giant lizard or dragon. The goddess Hiʻiaka supposedly cut off its tail and threw it into the ocean.
The island's common name, Chinaman's Hat, comes from its shape. It looks like the Asian conical hat often worn in parts of Asia.
Plants and Animals of Mokoliʻi
The plants and animals on Mokoliʻi have been affected by species that are not native to the island. These include the black rat and the yellow crazy ant.
While other types of birds used to nest here, the Wedge-tailed shearwater is now the only bird species that nests on Mokoliʻi.
Scientists have found 72 different kinds of plants on the island. Most of these plants are not native and have spread widely. However, some native plants still grow well along the coast. These include ahu awa (Cyperus javanicus), naupaka (Scaevola taccada), and ilima (Sida fallax).
Some non-native plants that cover the slopes are Lantana camara, Spanish needles (Bidens alba var. radiata), and christmasberry.
In 1983, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) said Mokoliʻi was a very important home for Carter’s panicgrass. This is a special type of grass. In 2002, the USFWS started a program to remove rats from Mokoliʻi to help protect the native wildlife.
History of Mokoliʻi
Mokoliʻi was privately owned for many years. In the 1970s, the City and County of Honolulu bought the island. A veteran named Joseph Coggins helped assess its value before the purchase.
Visiting Mokoliʻi Island
Mokoliʻi is owned by the City and County of Honolulu. It is protected by park rules from both the state and federal governments. The island is open to the public from sunrise to sunset.
You can reach Mokoliʻi in several ways. People often use kayaks, boats, or surfboards. You can also swim to the island. At low tide, you might even be able to wade through the water to get there. Once on the island, there is a 20-minute hike to the top.
