Home > Islets > Niihau > Kaula ISLETS: NIIHAU > KAULA Kaula - Photo: Google   Kaula - Photo: Scott Godwin Kaula Monk Seals - Photo: Scott Godwin   Kaula - Photo: Historical Kaula - Photo: Scott Godwin   Kaula - Photo: Scott Godwin Physical Features Kaula is a tuff crater that lies 23 miles west-southwest of Kawaihoa Point on Ni'ihau. It was formed by the underwater eruption of a volcanic vent and the subsequent erosion of the resulting tuff cone. The islet is approximately 540 feet at the highest point and 136 acres in size, making it Hawaii’s second largest offshore islet after Lehua. Geographically and biologically, it could be considered to be part of the Northwest Hawaiian Islands. A large sea cave is located on the northwest end of the island. Regulations The Navy forbids landing on Kaula without a special permit. They currently use Kaula as a target range for non-explosive ordnance. However, past target practice used live ordnance so there is a risk that unexploded ordnance remains on the islet and in surrounding waters. Kaula is subject to Hawaii regulations protecting State Seabird Sanctuaries. Federal law also protects seabirds, shorebirds, and threatened or endangered species. Birds Kaula has historically been renowned for the number of its nesting seabirds and is still possibly the largest and most diverse seabird colony in the main Hawaiian Islands. The Tanager Expedition sailed around Kaula in July 1932 but did not land. The first on-island survey of birds and plants was conducted by Edward Caum in August 1932. Neither of these early surveys made estimates of bird numbers but both reported dense bird populations. DOFAW and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service conducted fairly regular wildlife surveys from 1971 to 1984. The most recent surveys were done in 1993 and 1998. Unfortunately, the last survey conducted close to peak nesting season was in 1993 so the current condition of the colony is unknown. Past surveys at peak nesting season estimated over 100,000 seabirds of 18 different species on Kaula, placing it on a par with the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands. Sooty terns (Sterna fuscata), Brown noddies (Anous stolidus), Booby (Sula) species, and Wedge-tailed shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) have historically been the most numerous birds. Black-footed albatross (Phoebastria nigripes) and Laysan albatross (Phoebastria immutabilis) both nest on Kaula. Updated surveys are urgently needed. Plants Kaula gets little rainfall during much of the year, causing much of the vegetation to dry out. During the rainy winter months, the vegetation reappears. Thorough botanical surveys were conducted in the early 1930s and in the 1970s but not since then. These early surveys found 31 species of plants, about half of which were native, including two rare endemic species. The current condition of the vegetation is unknown and new surveys are needed. Insects Limited insect collections were made in 1932 and 1971. Because these collecting efforts were minimal and the last one was over 30 years ago, Kaula’s insect fauna is virtually unknown. A thorough survey is much needed. Marine Organisms State biologists conducted limited intertidal and nearshore fish surveys in 1971 and 1976, concentrating on the long wave-cut terrace on the east side of the island. Bishop Museum, NOAA and the State of Hawaii conducted a joint marine survey in July 2006. Survey results are not yet available. Because of its distance from the main islands and the fact that boat access is restricted by the Navy, it is likely that Kaula’s marine resources don’t suffer as much from overfishing as other areas in Hawaii. Human Uses The frequent mention of Kaula in Hawaiian oral traditions shows that they were well aware of its existence. Visitors in the 1920s reported finding stone structures that may have been heiau. Niihau fishermen reportedly honored the shark god Kuhaimoana at heiau located above the seacave on the northwest end of the island. Although there is no evidence of any permanent settlements, Hawaiians likely visited to fish and to harvest seabirds, feathers and eggs. Stories tell that Kaula was also the source of a certain type of stone highly valued for making octopus lures. A lighthouse was completed on Kaula in 1932 and functioned until 1947. The Navy has used Kaula as a target range since at least 1952. The public has periodically protested this use but the Navy continues target practice using inert ordnance. Despite objections by the Navy, The State of Hawaii included Kaula on the list of State Seabird Sanctuaries in 1978 after making a legal determination that the islet belonged to the state. The ultimate determination of land ownership may require a court decision. Threats Ongoing Navy use of Kaula for target practice poses unquantified threats to seabirds, terrestrial species, and nearshore marine species. The lack of baseline (pre-bombing) biological survey data makes it impossible to quantify the level of disturbance and mortality that has occurred since target practice first started some time during or shortly after World War II. In recent years, the Navy has denied requests by state and federal wildlife biologists to conduct surveys so the current condition of the resources is also unknown. Introduced rodents, probably Polynesian rats (Rattus exulans), have been seen on Kaula since the 1930s. Rodents were most recently observed in 1998, the last time that biologists were on Kaula. Based on the severe impacts rats have had on island ecosystems in Hawaii and worldwide, they are a serious threat to multiple species on Kaula and should be eradicated. Introduced Barn owls (Tyto alba) are also present and pose a threat to nesting seabirds by eating chicks and adults. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us