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Maui 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.

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Molokini
Molokini
Aerial view
Photo: Starr

22.4 acre islet located midway in the channel between the islands of Maui and Kaho'olawe.
The islet is owned by the U.S. Coast Guard and is also part of the State Seabird Sanctuary. Permission to access the islet must be obtained by the Coast Guard as well as the State to protect the islet's flora and fauna.
Field Accounts: 29-31 May 2007
Species checklists:
ARTHROPOD
 Order: ARANEAE
  Family: Araneidae
    Argiope appensa nananana (Garden spider) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Dysderidae
    Dysdera crocota nananana (Woodlouse spider) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Theridiidae
    Steatoda crocota nananana Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: BLATTODEA
  Family: Blattidae
    Periplaneta americana elelu 'ula 'ula (American cockroach) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: COLEOPTERA
  Family: Anthribidae
    Araecerus levipennis none (Koa haole seed weevil) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Coccinellidae
    Orcus australasiae none (Orange-spotted ladybird) Fed:none State:noneIntroduced
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: DIPTERA
  Family: Dolichopodidae
    Chrysosoma globiferum nalo (Long-legged fly) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Indeterminate
    indet. Diptera nalo (Fly) Fed:none State:noneUnknown
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Muscidae
    Musca domestica nalo (House fly) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: HOMOPTERA
  Family: Psyllidae
    Heteropsylla cubana none (Leucaena psyllid) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: HYMENOPTERA
  Family: Anthophoridae
    Xylocopa sonorina nalo-nui (Sonoran carpenter bee ) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Formicidae
    Camponotus variegatus none (Carpenter ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
    Pheidole megacephala naonao-aki (Big-headed ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Sphecidae
    Dolichurus stantoni nalo-lawe-lepo (Black cockroach wasp) Fed:none State:noneIntroduced
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Vespidae
    Pachodynerus nasidens kopena (Keyhole wasp) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: LEPIDOPTERA
  Family: Crambidae
    Herpetogramma licarsisalis none (Grass webworm) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
    Spoladea recurvalis none (Hawaiian Beet Webworm) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
  Family: Noctuidae
    Ophiusa disjungens none (Guava moth) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: MANTODEA
  Family: Mantidae
    Tenodera angustipennis none (Praying mantis) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
 Order: THYSANURA
  Family: Lepismatidae
    Acrotelsa sp. none (Bristletail) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
    Ctenolepisma sp. none (Bristletail) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-06 Complete survey Present D.J. Preston
MAMMAL
  Family: Leporidae
    Oryctolagus cuniculus (European rabbit) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1954 Opportunistic survey 2 shot Kepler and Kepler 1980
    1961 Unknown Present Watson 1961
PLANT
  Family: Aizoaceae
    Sesuvium portulacastrum Akulikuli Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1980-1982 Partial survey Present ANON 2002
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
  Family: Asteraceae
    Ageratum conyzoides Maile Honohono (Ageratum) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Bidens pilosa (Spanish needles) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Conyza bonariensis (Hairy horseweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Emilia fosbergii Pualele (Flora's paintbrush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Gnaphalium purpureum (Purple cudweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Gnaphalium sp. (Gnaphalium) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Lactuca serriola (Prickly lettuce) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Melanthera lavarum Nehe Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Pluchea carolinensis (Sourbush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Pluchea indica (Indian fleabane) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Sonchus oleraceus Pualele (Sow thistle) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Tridax procumbens (Coat buttons) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Verbesina encelioides (Golden crown-beard) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
  Family: Boraginaceae
    Heliotropium curassavicum Nena (salt heliotrope) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
  Family: Brassicaceae
    Coronopus didymus (Swinecress) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Cactaceae
    Opuntia ficus-indica Panini (Barbary fig) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Opuntia megacantha Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Caryophyllaceae
    Polycarpon tetraphyllum (Allseed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
  Family: Chenopodiaceae
    Atriplex semibaccata (Australian saltbush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Atriplex suberecta (Saltbush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Chenopodium murale (Lambs quarters) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
  Family: Convolvulaceae
    Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis Pau o Hiiaka Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Merremia aegyptia (Hairy morning glory) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
  Family: Cuscutaceae
    Cuscuta sandwichiana Kaunaoa (Dodder) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Cyperaceae
    Cyperus cyperinus (Sedge) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Cyperus sp. (Cyperus) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Euphorbiaceae
    Chamaesyce hirta (Hairy spurge) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
  Family: Fabaceae
    Crotolaria incana (Fuzzy rattlepod) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Desmodium sandwicense (Spanish clover) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Leucaena leucocephala Haole koa (White leadtree) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Rare Palmer & Caum 1930
    Macroptilium lathyroides (Cow pea) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Medicago polymorpha (Bur clover) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Malvaceae
    Abutilon grandifolium (Hairy abutilon) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Malva parviflora (Cheeseweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Sida fallax Ilima (Fanpetals) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Common Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Common Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Nephrolepidaceae
    Nephrolepis multiflora (Sword fern) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Nyctaginaceae
    Boerhavia glabrata Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Boerhavia herbstii Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Boerhavia repens Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Oxalidaceae
    Oxalis corniculata (Yellow wood sorrel) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Papavaraceae
    Argemone glauca var. glauca Pua kala Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Poaceae
    Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Common Starr et al 2006
    Cenchrus echinatus (Sand bur) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Chloris barbata (Swollen fingergrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Chloris radiata (Radiate Fingergrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Dactyoloctenium aegyptium (Egyptian grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Digitaria ciliaris (Henry's crabgrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Digitaria insularis (Sourgrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Digitaria sanguinalis (Hairy crabgrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Heteropogon contortus Pili (Tanglehead) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Common Palmer & Caum 1930
    Panicum fauriei var. latius (Hawaiian panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Panicum pellitum Kaioio (Maui panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Common Palmer & Caum 1930
    Panicum torridum Kakonakona (Torrid panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    Setaria verticillata (Bristly foxtail) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Portulacaceae
    Portulaca lutea ihi (Purslane) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Portulaca molokiniensis Ihi Fed:none State:SOCEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    Portulaca oleracea (Pigweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Common Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Portulaca pilosa ihi (Kiss me quick) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Occasional Starr et al 2006
    Portulaca sclerocarpa Ihi makole Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Portulaca villosa Ihi (Hairy purslane) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Primulaceae
    Anagallis arvensis (Scarlet pimpernel) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Pteridaceae
    Doryopteris decipiens Iwaiwa Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Pityrogramma austroamericana (Golden fern) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
  Family: Solanaceae
    Lycium sandwicense Ohelo kai (Hawai'i desert-thorn) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Rare Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    Nicotiana glauca (Tree tobacco) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Common Starr et al 2006
  Family: Sterculiaceae
    Waltheria indica Uhaloa Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Common Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Verbenaceae
    Lantana camara (Lantana) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Occasional Palmer & Caum 1930
  Family: Zygophyllaceae
    Tribulus cistoides Nohu Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-05 Complete survey Present Starr et al 2006
    10-Feb-13 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
    13-Oct-25 Complete survey Present Palmer & Caum 1930
SEABIRD
  Family: Fregatidae
    Fregata minor iwa (Great Frigatebird) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    5-Apr-06 Opportunistic survey few flew over islet Starr et al. 2006
  Family: Procellaridae
    Bulweria bulweri ou (Bulwer's Petrel) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    30-Apr-78 Partial survey 4 chicks min. Kepler et al. 1980
    Puffinus pacificus chlororhynchus uaukane (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    30-Apr-78 Extrapolated 1500 pairs Kepler et al. 1980
    July 1, 1981- June 30, 1982 Opportunistic survey 1200 burrows Ueoka 1982
    5-Apr-06 Opportunistic survey few pairs Starr et al. 2006
Literature Citations:

Altonn, H. 1977. Seabird refuge established. Honolulu Star-Bulletin 1977 (October 22, 1977): A101.

Anonymous. 1977. Marine survey of Molokini Islet, County of Maui. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Fish and Game, Maui County. 10 p.

Anonymous. 2002. Vascular plants recorded from Molokini Islet (1913-2002). 1 p.

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

Coles, S., Giuseffi, L. & Hutchinson, M. 2008. Assessment of species composition, diversity and biomass in marine habitats and subhabitats around offshore islets in the main Hawaiian Islands. Bishop Museum Technical Report 39: 82.

Department of Land and Natural Resources, D.o.F.a.W. 1981. Rules regulating wildlife sanctuaries. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Department of Foresty and Wildlife, Honolulu. 14 p.

Department of Land and Natural Resources, D.o.F.a.W. 1981. Seabird sanctuaries. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 3 p.

Forbes, C.N. 1913. Notes on the flora of Kahoolawe and Molokini. Occasional Papers of the Bernice Pauahi Bishop Museum of Polynesian Ethnology and Natural History 5(3): 1-15.

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

Kapakapa, I. 1940. Island of Molokini. Paradise of the Pacific 52(2): 1.

Kepler, C.B. & Kepler, A.K. 1980. The birds of Molokini Island, Maui. 'Elepaio 40(11): 5.

MacCaughey, V. 1918. The strand flora of the Hawaiian Archipelago-I. geographical relations, origin, and composition. Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club 45(7): 18.

Megysi, J.L. & O'Daniel, D.L. 1997. Bulwer's Petrel (Bulweria bulwerii), p. 33. In: Gill, A.P.a.F. (ed.), The Birds of North America. Birds of North America, Inc., Philadelphia, PA281.

Morin, M. 1982. State Seabird Sanctuary brief legislative history, p. 6. In: Department of Land and Natural Resources, D.o.F.a.W. (ed.), State of Hawaii6.

Oliver, C. 2002. Islets shelter seabirds, provide stunning views. Honolulu Advertiser 2002 (February 17, 2002)5.

Oliver, C. 2002. Neighbor island also full of jewels. Honolulu Advertiser 2002 (February 17, 2002)3.

Palmer, H.S. & Caum, E.L. 1930. Geology of Molokini with notes on the flora of Molokini. B. P. Bishop Museum Occasional Papers 9(1): 18.

Starr, F., Starr, K. & Wood, K. 2006. Maui offshore islet botanical survey. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 124 p.

Tomich, P.Q. 1986. Mammals in Hawai'i. 2. Bishop Musuem Press, Honolulu, HI. 375 p.

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.

Watson, J.S. 1961. Feral rabbit populations on Pacific Islands. Pacific Science 15: 3.

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.

Additional information
'AlauHuluKaemiKeopukaKuhiwaMakoloakaMalaeloaMoke'ehiaMoku halaMoku manaMokuhukiMokupipiMolokiniPapanui o KanePu'ukuWai'anapanapa