Mokoliʻi


Mokoliʻi, commonly known as Chinaman's Hat, is a basalt islet in Kāneʻohe Bay, Hawaii. Mokolii is part of Kualoa Regional Park and located offshore of Kualoa Point, Oahu. The islet was at one time part of a basaltic ridge on Oahu before marine erosion separated it.

Etymology

Mokolii translates from Hawaiian as "little lizard." According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is the remains of a giant lizard's or dragon's tail that was chopped off and tossed into the ocean by the goddess Hiʻiaka. The common name of Chinaman's Hat derives from its likeness to the Asian conical hat.

Flora and fauna

Both wildlife and plants of Mokolii have been affected by the presence of non-native species, in particular the black rat and yellow crazy ant. Although other species of birds previously nested there, the Wedge-tailed shearwater is the only species of bird that nests on Mokolii. 72 species of plants have been identified, the majority of which are invasive non-native species. Native plants thrive in the coastal margins and include ahu awa, naupaka, and ilima. Invasive plants which dominate the slopes are Lantana camara, Spanish needles, and christmasberry. The island was designated as a critical habitat for Carter’s panicgrass by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 1983. In 2002, the USFWS initiated a program to eradicate rats from Mokolii.

History

Mokolii was under private ownership until the 1970s, when the City and County of Honolulu had it assessed and purchased it.

Access

Mokolii is owned by the City and County of Honolulu and is protected by state and federal park regulations. It is open to the public from dawn to dusk. It can be accessed by kayak, boat, surfboard, or by swimming, or wading at low tide. There is also a 20-minute hike to the top of the island.