Home > Islets > Oahu > Mokolii ISLETS: OAHU > MOKOLII Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat)   Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat) - Photo: F & K Starr Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat) - Photo: F & K Starr   Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat) - Photo: F & K Starr Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat) - Photo: F & K Starr   Mokolii (also called Chinaman's Hat) - Photo: F & K Starr Physical Features Mokolii, also called Chinaman’s Hat because of its distinctive conical shape, is 12.5 acres in size and 206 feet high. It lies about 500 yards offshore from Kualoa State Park on windward Oahu. Mokolii is a small volcanic islet that was once a basalt pinnacle on a ridge connected to Kualoa Park. The ridge was subsequently worn away by marine erosion, creating the islet. Mokolii is surrounded by shallow reef flats and people sometimes wade across during low tide on calm days. Regulations Mokolii is owned by the City and County of Honolulu and is part of Kualoa Regional Park. Park regulations apply to the islet. State and/or federal laws protect all native wildlife and plants. Birds In the past, small numbers of White-tailed and red-tailed tropicbirds (Phaethon lepturus and Phaethon rubricauda) nested on Mokolii. Today, only Wedge-tailed shearwaters are nesting. Since at least the 1940s, black rats have been present, though perhaps only periodically, and were suspected of suppressing shearwater populations by eating eggs and chicks. In 2002, the Hawaii DOFAW and a group of community volunteers eradicated rats from the islet. Later that year, 131 chicks fledged and 203 fledged in 2003. However, fledging success again declined despite the fact that there is no sign of rats. Alien ants attacking seabird chicks are suspected to be the cause. Plants Mokolii is dominated by non-native vegetation, but several native species can still be found. A 2005 survey found 72 plant species, including 52 alien and 20 native species. This was the highest number of total, alien, and native species found on any Oahu islet. Native species are most common in the harsh coastal and windward areas that receive constant wind and salt spray. In 1983, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service designated critical habitat on Mokolii for the endangered Carter’s panicgrass (Panicum fauriei var. carteri). Insects Brief surveys indicate that most insects on Mokolii are aliens. Perhaps the most significant alien insect is the yellow crazy ant, (Anoplolepis gracilipes), which is suspected of attacking Mokolii’s shearwater chicks. Marine Organisms Tide pools and rocky intertidal areas are scattered around the islet shoreline. Anecdotal evidence indicates that marine invertebrates (crabs and shellfish) in these areas increased following the 2002 rat eradication, indicating that rats had been feeding on these species as well as seabirds. Shallow reef flats surround the islet. Human Uses Various Hawaiian legends account for Mokolii’s origin as the remains of either a giant lizard or an evil sorcerer in the form of a rat, slain in a battle with a Hawaiian deity. Accordingly, the translation of Mokolii is ‘little lizard.’ There is evidence that ancient Hawaiians used the basalt pinnacle on the islet as an adze quarry. During World War II, Mokolii was used for military target practice. Today, Mokolii is owned by the City and County of Honolulu, who purchased it from the Kualoa Ranch Company in the 1970s. Fishermen and other visitors frequently wade or boat to Mokolii. Threats Because of high public use, foot traffic is a threat. Burrowing seabirds are vulnerable to being crushed by careless visitors. In addition, there is a strong chance that people will unknowingly transporting alien hitchhikers (i.e., unwanted insects or seeds attached to clothes, shoes, gear, etc.) to the islet. Perhaps this is how the ants currently suspected of suppressing seabird numbers arrived. Highly invasive plant species like Lantana (Lantana camara), Indian fleabane (Pluchea indica), and Christmasberry (Schinus terebinthifolius) have also become widespread, displacing native vegetation and altering seabird nesting habitat. Although no rats are currently present, they were formerly on the islet and are capable of re-invading by swimming from the mainland or stowing away in visiting boats. > Back to top of page Home  Islets  Species  Projects  Outreach  Links  About Us