Home > Islets > Hawaii > Paoakalani ISLETS: HAWAII > PAOAKALANI Paoakalani   Paokalani, Mokupuku and Paalaea - Photo: K Wood Paokalani, Mokupuku and Paalaea - Photo: K Wood   Kohala 3 - Photo: R Shallenberger Kohala 3 - Photo: C Swenson   Paokalani - Photo: K Wood Physical Features Paoakalani is the largest of the three islets clustered off of the Kohala coast of the Big Island. Paoakalani is over 200 feet at its highest point has an area of approximately 2 acres. The islet’s high central ridge is surrounded by steep cliffs and is inaccessible by boat. 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 Seabirds were last surveyed in April 2005. Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) were present and nesting on Paoakalani. Black noddies (Anous minutus), and White-tailed and Red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus and Phaethon rubricauda) were observed flying over and roosting on the island. Biologists in the 1980s documented black noddy nesting and suspected that White-tailed tropicbirds were nesting as well. Plants Paoakalani is dominated by non-native Lantana camara shrubs. However, the 2005 survey found that 16 of the 29 plant species on the islet are native. Native plants are patchily distributed and even dominant in some areas. Most significantly, the survey found the Big Island’s only known populations of a rare native, Schiedea globosa, on Paoakalani and the neighboring islet, Mokupuku. Insects Limited insect collecting has been done on Paoakalani but identifications are not yet available. Marine Organisms Bishop Museum, NOAA and the State of Hawaii conducted a joint marine survey in July 2006. Survey results are not yet available. Human Uses Human uses are unknown. Threats Non-native invasive plants, such as Lantana camara and Pluchea carolinensis, pose the most serious threat to Paoakalani. Paokalani is the only offshore islet known to have invasive Pennisetum setaceum (fountain grass), which can pose a serious threat because of its ability to completely dominate ecosystems. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us