Home > Islets > Kauai > Mokuaeae ISLETS: KAUAI > MOKUAEAE Mokuaeae   Mokuaeae - Photo: C Swenson Mokuaeae - Photo: K Swindle   Mokuaeae - Photo: K Swindle Mokuaeae - Photo: B Zaun   Mokuaeae - Photo: B Zaun Physical Features Mokuaeae is a 3 acre volcanic island about 300 feet offshore of Kilauea Point on Kauai's north shore. It is adjacent to the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge but is not part of the refuge. Around 100 feet at its highest point, the top of Mokuaeae is a gently sloping plateau surrounded by tall cliffs and flat, rocky shelves near sea level. 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 Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and a few Red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda) currently nest on Mokuaeae. Red-footed boobies were reported nesting in the 1960s. Several dead Bulwer’s petrels (Bulweria bulwerii) were found on multiple occasions, apparently killed by Barn owls (Tyto alba). It is unknown if the Bulwer’s are nesting or attempting to nest on the islet. Several species have been reported roosting on or visiting Mokuaeae, including Brown boobies (Sula leucogaster), Red-footed boobies (Sula sula), Great frigatebirds (Fregata minor), various shorebirds, Nene (Branta sandvicensis), and even a Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes). For a brief period of time Newell’s shearwaters (Puffinus auricularis newelli), a rare and declining species, were present on Mokuaeae. In 1979, biologists collected Newell's shearwater eggs from their burrows in unprotected, mountainous areas of Kauai and placed them in wedge-tailed shearwater burrows on predator-free Mokuaeae. Newell's eggs were also placed in burrows in the adjacent Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge over a slightly longer period of time. Of the 25 eggs placed on Mokuaeae in 1979, 13 chicks fledged. The hope was that the wedge-tailed shearwaters would raise the Newell’s chicks as if they were their own chicks and that the Newell’s would return to the area in subsequent years to establish their own colony. None of these birds are known to have returned. Although the attempt to start a colony on Mokuaeae apparently failed for unknown reasons, a few pairs of Newell’s shearwaters have been returning to nest at the Kilauea Point National Wildlife Refuge. Plants Surveys in the 1960s recorded the presence of unidentified species of Sesuvium, Portulaca, Lantana, Scaevola, and various grasses. A 2002 survey noted that the island was dominated by native Chenopodium (aweoweo) and Sesuvium (akulikuli). The survey also recorded 11 plants species, including 5 natives. Interestingly, the Lantana and Scaevola reported in the 1960s was no longer present. Marine algae have not been inventoried. Insects Limited insect collections were made in 2002 and 2005. These indicated that the insect fauna is dominated by introduced species, including Big-headed ants. However, a species of yellow-faced bee, possibly belonging to the native Hylaeus genus, was observed but not collected. Marine Organisms There are no published marine surveys from Mokuaeae, but Kilauea Point is well known for regular sightings of humpback whales and spinner dolphins. Green sea turtles are often seen in the channel between Kilauea Point and Mokuaea and Hawaiian monk seals haul out to rest on the islet’s flat rocky shelves. Tide pools are also present. Human Uses With the exception of attempts by biologists to start a Newell’s shearwater colony on Mokuaeae over 25 years ago, no historical human uses of Mokuaeae have been documented. Recreational kayakers sometimes paddle to Mokuaeae. Rough seas often make it a challenging place to visit. Threats Owl predation, likely by the introduced Barn owls (Tyto alba), is taking a toll on Bulwer’s Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii). This may be preventing successful nesting of these petrels on the islet. A 1984 DOFAW survey reported heavy predation of wedge-tailed shearwater eggs by myna birds (Acridotheres tristis). Large areas of the plateau on the top of the islet are bare dirt and the resulting erosion is reducing habitat for burrowing seabirds and native plants. Invasive species such as big-headed ants and a variety of weeds are also present. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us