Home > Islets > Maui > Mokeehia ISLETS: MAUI > MOKEEHIA Mokeehia   Mokeehia - Photo: F & K Starr Mokeehia - Photo: F & K Starr   Mokeehia - Photo: F & K Starr Mokeehia - Photo: F & K Starr   Mokeehia - Photo: F & K Starr Physical Features Mokeehia is about 165 feet high and 8.5 acres in size, making it Maui’s second largest islet after Molokini. It is located on the windward coast of west Maui, off Hakuhee Point. The islet is a basalt sea stack formerly connected to Maui, and is only slightly separated by a narrow channel. The channel is normally wave-swept and treacherous to cross, forming an effective barrier to introduced mammals. Mokeehia is rocky throughout with pockets of powdery, crumbly soils formed from weathered lava. 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 Two seabird species nest on the islet; Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) and Bulwer's petrels (Bulweria bulwerii). The last survey in April 2005 noted that areas of the islet were heavily burrowed with “hundreds” of active burrows. A July 1981 survey estimated 1,060 breeding pairs of wedge-tailed shearwaters and 50 to 150 nesting pairs of Bulwer’s petrels. Plants In a July 1981 survey, 16 species of plants were found on the island; 9 native and 7 introduced. In April 2005, 20 species were observed; 10 native and 10 introduced. The most significant find in 1981 was a population of 15 Dwarf naupaka plants (Scaevola coriacea), an endangered coastal species. In 2002, additional dwarf naupaka were planted on the islet. However, no dwarf naupaka were found on the islet in 2005, possibly due to drought. Insects Limited insect collections were made in April 2005. Although the full list of species identifications is not yet available, introduced big-headed ants (Pheidole megacephala) and crazy ants (Paratrechina longicornis) were observed. 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 No human uses are known. Threats Invasive plants are the main threat, especially Christmasberry and the common sandbur. Ants may be impacting native plants and nesting seabirds. Habitat loss due to soil erosion is also a threat. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us