HOME > KAHO'OLAWE ISLETS

Kaho'olawe islet map

For more information click on an islet name on the map or select from the list below. Islets that are washed over by waves and lack any flora or fauna are not detailed here.

> 'Ale'ale

> Pu'u koa'e
Pu'u koa'e
Pu'u koa'e
Aerial view
Photo: H. Eijzenga

17 acre islet located on the south shore of Kaho'olawe west of Kamohio Bay.
The islet is State owned and co-managed with the Kaho'olawe Island Restoration Commission. Permission to access the islet is requred from KIRC to protect the islet's flora and fauna.
Field Accounts: 26 Mar 2008
Species checklists:
ARTHROPOD
 Order: ARANEAE
  Family: Araneidae
    Neoscona oaxacensis nananana (Western spotted orbweaver) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
 Order: COLEOPTERA
  Family: Anobiidae
    Tricorynus sp. none Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    23-Sep-03 Partial survey Present Legrande & Wood 2003
 Order: HETEROPTERA
  Family: Pentatomidae
    Nezara viridula none (Southern green stink bug) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
 Order: HYMENOPTERA
  Family: Colletidae
    Hylaeus sp. none (Yellow-faced Bee) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Formicidae
    Camponotus variegatus none (Carpenter ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    27-Feb-03 Partial survey Present Legrande & Wood 2003
    Cardiocondyla sp. none (Cardiocondyla ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Ochetellus glaber naonao (Glaber Ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Solenopsis geminata naonao (Fire ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    27-Feb-03 Partial survey Present Legrande & Wood 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Present Eijzenga & Preston 2008
 Order: LEPIDOPTERA
  Family: Sphingidae
    Hyles lineata none (White-lined sphinx) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    27-Feb-03 Partial survey Present Legrande & Wood 2003
PLANT
  Family: Aizoaceae
    Sesuvium portulacastrum Akulikuli Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Asteraceae
    Bidens mauiensis Kookoolau (Maui Beggartick) Fed:none State:SOCEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Emilia fosbergii Pualele (Flora's paintbrush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Melanthera integrifolia Nehe Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Melanthera lavarum Nehe Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Rare Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Sonchus oleraceus Pualele (Sow thistle) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
  Family: Boraginaceae
    Heliotropium curassavicum Nena (salt heliotrope) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
  Family: Chenopodiaceae
    Atriplex semibaccata (Australian saltbush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Chenopodium murale (Lambs quarters) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Convolvulaceae
    Ipomoea tuboides Hunakai (Hawaiian moonflower) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis Pau o Hiiaka Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Rare Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Merremia aegyptia (Hairy morning glory) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Cuscutaceae
    Cuscuta sandwichiana Kaunaoa (Dodder) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Euphorbiaceae
    Chamaesyce celastroides var. amplectens Akoko Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Fabaceae
    Sesbania tomentosa Ohai Fed:E State:EEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Malvaceae
    Sida fallax Ilima (Fanpetals) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Nyctaginaceae
    Boerhavia repens Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Papavaraceae
    Argemone glauca var. glauca Pua kala Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Poaceae
    Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Cenchrus echinatus (Sand bur) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Chloris barbata (Swollen fingergrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Eragrostis leptophylla (Lovegrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Heteropogon contortus Pili (Tanglehead) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Melinis repens (Natal red top) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Rare Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Pancium fauriei var. latius Mauu Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Pancium torridum Kakonakona (Torrid panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Panicum fauriei var. latius (Hawaiian panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Panicum pellitum Kaioio (Maui panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Occasional Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    Setaria parviflora (Marsh bristlegrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Tragus berteronianus (Spiked burr grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Portulacaceae
    Portulaca lutea ihi (Purslane) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Common Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    Portulaca molokiniensis Ihi Fed:none State:SOCEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Portulaca oleracea (Pigweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Rare Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Portulaca villosa Ihi (Hairy purslane) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Pteridaceae
    Doryopteris decipiens Iwaiwa Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
  Family: Solanaceae
    Lycium sandwicense Ohelo kai (Hawai'i desert-thorn) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    Nicotiana glauca (Tree tobacco) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    21-Mar-81 Complete survey Rare Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Common Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Sterculiaceae
    Waltheria indica Uhaloa Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1-Nov-03 Complete survey Present Wood & LeGrande 2003
    26-Mar-08 Partial survey Occasional Eijzenga & Preston 2008
SEABIRD
  Family: Phaethontidae
    Phaethon rubricauda rothschildi koae-ula (Red-tailed Tropicbird) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    22-Mar-81 Opportunistic survey 8 nests, 3 with birds Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    26-Mar-08 Opportunistic survey 12 courting over islet, 4 birds on nests, 1 with a chick Eijzenga & Preston 2008
  Family: Procellaridae
    Bulweria bulweri ou (Bulwer's Petrel) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    21-Mar-81 Opportunistic survey ca. 50 nest sites, remains of birds, estimated 100-150 pairs Hobdy & Kepler 1981
    10-Oct-01 Opportunistic survey Present LeGrande & Wood 2001
    26-Mar-08 Opportunistic survey Remains of 2 owl-killed fledglings from past season Eijzenga & Preston 2008
    Puffinus pacificus chlororhynchus uaukane (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1997 Opportunistic survey 1 nest Steve Montgomery pers comm. In Legrande & Wood 2001
    10-Oct-01 Opportunistic survey ca. 150 active burrows LeGrande & Wood 2001
    11-Oct-01 Extrapolated 49 chicks, extrapolated to145-272 Hebshi 2001
    26-Mar-08 Opportunistic survey Over 200 active burrows, didn't access entire islet Eijzenga & Preston 2008
Literature Citations:

Anonymous. Maui county's offshore islets general information. Maui County. 2 p.

Hawaii, S.o. 1969. Geographic names approved, second quarter 1969, p. 8. In: Development, D.o.P.E. (ed.), State of Hawaii8.

Hebshi, A. 2001. Wedge-tailed Shearwater breeding status in Pu'u Koae seastack, Kaho'olawe. Report to Offshore Island Restoration Committee, Honolulu. 2 p.

Hobdy, R. & Kepler, A.K. 1981. The vegetation of Pu'u Koa'e Islet. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Maui County. 2 p.

LeGrande, M. & Wood, K.R. 2001. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe June and July 2001. Kahoolawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 7 p.

LeGrande, M. & Wood, K.R. 2003. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe February 2003. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 12 p.

LeGrande, M. & Wood, K.R. 2003. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe November 2003. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 2 p.

LeGrande, M. & Wood, K.R. 2003. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe October 2003. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 14 p.

Morin, M.P., Carter, T.A., Banko, P.C., David, R.E. & Reynolds, M.H. 1998-1999. Sightings of Kaho'olawe birds. 'Elepaio 58(9): 10.

Walker, R. 1978. Named islands, islets, rocks, sandspits in the Hawaiian Archipelago. Department of Land and Natural Resources: Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 16 p.

Whittow, G.C. 1997. Wedge-tailed Shearwater (Puffinus pacificus), p. 35. In: Gill, A.P.a.F. (ed.), The Birds of North America. Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA305.

Wood, K.R. & LeGrande, M. 2001. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe April 2001. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 4 p.

Wood, K.R. & LeGrande, M. 2002. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe January 2002. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 2 p.

Wood, K.R. & LeGrande, M. 2003. Checklist of vascular plants on the two offshore sites of 'Ale'ale and Pu'u Koa'e. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Maui County. 3 p.

Wood, K.R. & Perlman, S. 2000. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe Nov 29-Dec 1, 2000. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 7 p.

Wood, K.R. & Perlman, S. 2000. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe September 2000. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 7 p.

Wood, K.R., LeGrande, M. & Hebshi, A. 2001. Summary report for research conducted on Kaho'olawe October 2001. Kaho'olawe Island Reserve Commission, Maui County. 5 p.

Wood, K.R. 2000. Pu'u Koa'e, Kaho'olawe, Hawai'i: Personal observations and regional checklist of vascular plants. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Maui County. 6 p.

Additional information
'Ale'alePu'u koa'e