Home > Islets > Molokai > Mokapu ISLETS: MOLOKAI > MOKAPU Mokapu   Mokapu - Photo: C Swenson Mokapu - Photo: K Wood   Mokapu - Photo: K Wood Mokapu - Photo: C Swenson   Mokapu - Photo: C Swenson Physical Features Mokapu is 10 acres in size and about 360 feet tall. It is located about 3,500 ft north of Leinapapio Point and 1.5 miles east of Kalaupapa Peninsula on Molokai's north shore. The summit ridge is relatively flat and narrow, but it drops off steeply. The precipitous slopes range from 45 degrees to vertical and require climbing ropes to safely survey. 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 Four seabird species appear to be nesting on the islet, including White-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus) and Red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon rubricauda), Black noddies (Anous minutus), and Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus). Plants Like the adjacent islets of Okala and Huelo, Mokapu has some of the best coastal plant habitat in the state. Mokapu has a remarkable 29 native plant species, several of which are rare and vulnerable. The islet is dominated by native shrubs but also retains small groves of native Diospyros (lama) trees. Pritchardia hillebrandi, a Native palm (luolu) species that dominates Huelo, is present on Mokapu but only in moderate numbers. Peucedanum sandwicense, a threatened species, and Lepidium bidentatum, a federal Species of Concern, are also present. Eleven of the last 14 remaining wild individuals of Pittosporum halophilum are found on Mokapu. In 2003, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated critical habitat in on Mokapu for Peucedanum sandwicense, Tetramalopium rockii, and Brighamia rockii. Although Brighamia rockii and Tetramalopium rockii are not currently found on the islet, establishing populations on Mokapu would be an important step towards species recovery. Rats were formerly present on Mokapu and prevented the regeneration of Pritchardia, Pittosporum, and Diospyros by eating seeds and young plants. The eradication of rats from Mokapu by the OIRC in February 2008 was a major step forward for island conservation in Hawaii.  Biologists will continue to monitor plants on Mokapu to document recovery following rat eradication. Several invasive weeds are also present on the islet. Insects Although only limited insect collections have been made on Mokapu, two endemic species were found, including a Nysius seedbug. Marine Organisms The National Park Service conducted a survey of fish and corals in September 2004. Bishop Museum, NOAA and the State of Hawaii conducted a marine survey in July 2006. Human Uses Archaeological sites, consisting of rock structures, are present on top of Mokapu. The purpose of these structures is unknown. Threats Rats (Rattus exulans) were present on Mokapu until they were eradicated in February 2008 by the aerial application of rodenticide pellets from a helicopter.  Rats are notorious for eating the fruit and seeds of plants as well as seabird eggs. Biologists will continue to monitor the island to make sure all the rats are gone. Weedy plant species, such as lantana, pluchea, Christmasberry and others, pose a threat to native plants by competing for habitat. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us