Home > Islets > Hawaii > Mokupuku ISLETS: HAWAII > MOKUPUKU Mokupuku   Mokupuku - Photo: K Wood Paokalani, Mokupuku and Paalaea - Photo: K Wood   Kohala 3 - Photo: R Shallenberger Kohala 3 - Photo: C Swenson     Physical Features Mokupuku is located next to Paoakalani and is the second largest of the three islets clustered off of the Kohala coast of the Big Island. Mokupuku is over 60 feet tall, has a large hole through it above sea level, and is approximately 1 acre in size. Regulations The islet is a State Seabird Sanctuary managed by the Hawaii DOFAW. Regulations in Hawaii Administrative Rules, Title 13 Chapter 125, protect wildlife and plants and restrict human activities in seabird sanctuaries. Federal law also protects seabirds, shorebirds, and threatened or endangered species. Birds Black noddies, White-tailed and Red-tailed tropicbirds have been observed flying over and roosting on the island. Biologists observed the noddies roosting in a seacave in April 2005 and it is likely they are nesting there. Wedge-tailed shearwaters are present and may be nesting on Mokupuku. The 2005 survey was conducted with binoculars from neighboring Paoakalani so it was not possible to determine whether inhabited shearwater burrows were present. Plants The 2005 survey was conducted with binoculars so the species list may not be complete. Thirteen species were observed, 8 of them native. The most significant observation was the rare, native Schiedea globosa. The populations on Mokupuku and neighboring Paoakalani are the only ones known on the Big Island. Insects No insects have been collected on Mokupuku. Marine Organisms No marine survey data has been published. Human Uses Human uses are unknown. Threats Non-native invasive plants, such as Lantana camara and Schinus terebinthifolius, pose the most serious threat to Mokupuku. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us