HOME > O'AHU ISLETS

O'ahu 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.

> Kaohikaipu (Black Rock)

> Kapapa (Mokukapapa)

> Kekepa (Turtle Rock)

> Kihewamoku

> Kuka'imanini

> Kukuiho'olua

> Manana (Rabbit Island)

> Mokauea

> Mokolea

> Mokoli'i (Chinaman's Hat)

> Moku manu

> Moku o Lo'e (Coconut Island)

> Mokualai

> Moku'au'ia (Goat Island)

> Mokulua

> Popo'ia (Flat Island)

> Pulemoku

Popo'ia (Flat Island)
Popo'ia
View from Kailua Beach
Photo: H. Eijzenga

4 acre islet located accross from Kailua Beach Park.
The islet is part of the State Seabird Sanctuary: access is by permit only to protect the islet's flora and fauna.

Field Accounts: 17 Oct 2007
Species checklists:
ARTHROPOD
 Order: DIPTERA
  Family: Culicidae
    Aedes albopictus Makika (Asian Tiger Mosquito) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
     Unknown Present Fitch 1968
    7-Feb-68 Complete survey Present Spadoni et al. 1980
    Culex quinquefasciatus Makika (Mosquito) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
     Unknown Present Fitch 1968
    7-Feb-68 Complete survey Present Spadoni et al. 1980
 Order: HYMENOPTERA
  Family: Formicidae
    Pheidole megacephala naonao-aki (Big-headed ant) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    23-Feb-05 Opportunistic survey Present Starr and Starr 2006
MAMMAL
  Family: Muridae
    Rattus exulans iole (Polynesian rat) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1915 Unknown Present Stone 1917 cited in Fitch 1968
    04 Feb 1934 Unknown Present E Y Hosaka
    05 Aug 1935 Unknown Present A Suihla
    12 Apr 1936 Unknown Present C P Hoyt
    1937-1941 Unknown Present Munro 1945
    14 Jun 1940 Unknown Present L P Richards
    23 Aug 1940 Unknown Present L P Richards
    1967 Complete survey none Fitch 1968
PLANT
  Family: Acanthaceae
    Asystasia gangetica (Chinese violet) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Common Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Aizoaceae
    Sesuvium portulacastrum Akulikuli Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Common Bryan 1949
    14-Jul-51 Partial survey Present Hatch 1951
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Common Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Asteraceae
    Melanthera integrifolia Nehe Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Pluchea carolinensis (Sourbush) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Pluchea indica (Indian fleabane) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Rare Bryan 1949
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Sonchus oleraceus Pualele (Sow thistle) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Bataceae
    Batis maritima (Pickle weed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Boraginaceae
    Heliotropium anomalum var. argenteum Hinahina Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    23-Aug-58 Partial survey Present King 1958
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
    Heliotropium curassavicum Nena (salt heliotrope) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Heliotropium sp. Fed:Unknown State:UnknownUnknown
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    Tournefortia argentea (Tree heliotrope) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Brassicaceae
    Coronopus didymus (Swinecress) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Capparaceae
    Capparis sandwichiana Maiapilo Fed:none State:SOCEndemic
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Common Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    14-Jul-51 Partial survey Present Hatch 1951
    23-Aug-58 Partial survey Present King 1958
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Caricaceae
    Carica papaya (Papaya) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Casuarinaceae
    Casuarina equisetifolia (Ironwood) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Chenopodiaceae
    Chenopodium oahuense Aweoweo Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Common Bryan 1949
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Common Starr & Starr 2006
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Combretaceae
    Conocarpus erectus (Button mangrove) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Terminalia catappa (False kamani) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
  Family: Convolvulaceae
    Ipomoea congesta (Morning Glory) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    Ipomoea indica Koali awa (Oceanblue morning-glory) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
    Ipomoea littoralis (Whiteflower beach morning-glory) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Ipomoea sp. Fed:Unknown State:UnknownUnknown
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    Jacquemontia ovalifolia subsp. sandwicensis Pau o Hiiaka Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Cuscutaceae
    Cuscuta sandwichiana Kaunaoa (Dodder) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Cyperaceae
    Fimbristylis cymosa (Button sedge) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Fabaceae
    Leucaena leucocephala Haole koa (White leadtree) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Vigna marina (Beach pea) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
  Family: Goodeniaceae
    Scaevola sericea Naupaka kahakai Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Malvaceae
    Malvastrum coromandelianum (Malvastrum) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Sida fallax Ilima (Fanpetals) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Thespesia populnea Milo Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Common Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    1994 Partial survey Present ANON 1994
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Nyctaginaceae
    Boerhavia glabrata Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Boerhavia repens Alena (Boerhavia) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Common Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Passifloraceae
    Passiflora foetida (Love-in-a-mist) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Poaceae
    Cenchrus echinatus (Sand bur) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Chloris barbata (Swollen fingergrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Cynodon dactylon (Bermuda grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Digitaria insularis (Sourgrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Echinochloa colona (Jungle rice grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Eleusine indica (Wiregrass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Panicum fauriei (Faurie's panicgrass) Fed:none State:noneEndemic
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Paspalum vaginatum (Seashore paspalum) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
    Pennisetum clandestinum (Kikuyu grass) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Setaria verticillata (Bristly foxtail) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Rare Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
    Sporobolus virginicus Akiaki Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Portulacaceae
    Portulaca lutea ihi (Purslane) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
    Portulaca oleracea (Pigweed) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
    Portulaca sp. Fed:Unknown State:UnknownUnknown
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
  Family: Rhizophoraceae
    Rhizophora mangle (Mangrove) Fed:none State:noneAdventive
    29-Sep-66 Partial survey Present Labrecque 1966
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Present Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Solanaceae
    Lycium sandwicense Ohelo kai (Hawai'i desert-thorn) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Present Bryan 1949
    3-Sep-49 Complete survey Occasional Bryan 1949
    1968 Partial survey Present Fitch 1968
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Common Starr & Starr 2006
    Solanum americanum Popolo (Glossy Nighshade) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Occasional Starr & Starr 2006
  Family: Zygophyllaceae
    Tribulus cistoides Nohu Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    3-Mar-06 Complete survey Rare Starr & Starr 2006
SEABIRD
  Family: Procellaridae
    Bulweria bulweri ou (Bulwer's Petrel) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1937-1941 Partial survey 100+ dead individuals; rat kills Munro 1945
    1-Jul-45 Opportunistic survey 50-75 birds Fisher 1945
    14-Jul-51 Partial survey 3 adults heard Hatch 1951
    23-Aug-58 Partial survey 1 adult, 1 chick King 1958
    18-Jul-59 Opportunistic survey Present Titcomb 1959
    8-May-64 Estimated 200+/-50 Fitch 1968
    28-May-64 Estimated 225+/-25 max. Fitch 1968
    7-May-15 Unknown Present Stone 1917
    Puffinus pacificus chlororhynchus uaukane (Wedge-tailed Shearwater) Fed:none State:noneIndigenous
    1935-1945 Unknown Present Munro 1941
    1937-1941 Partial survey 3208 total adults banded during period Munro 1945
    1937-1941 Estimated 2000 individuals Munro 1945
    1-Jun-45 Partial survey more than 50 nests Fisher 1945
    1-Jul-45 Partial survey perhaps 100 nests Fisher 1945
    2-Sep-45 Partial survey 4 adults; 11 chicks Fisher 1945
    3-Sep-49 Opportunistic survey 20+ chicks Harphan 1949
    14-Jul-51 Partial survey Present Hatch 1951
    11-Jul-52 Partial survey 30-50 nests ANON 1952
    6-Sep-52 Opportunistic survey Present Gotshalk 1952
    18-Aug-56 Partial survey Present Pedley 1956
    6-Sep-57 Opportunistic survey Present Halstead 1957
    23-Aug-58 Partial survey 13 adults; 18 chicks King 1958
    18-Jul-59 Opportunistic survey Present Titcomb 1959
    26-Aug-61 Partial survey Present Ord 1961
    8-May-64 Estimated 2500 adults max. Fitch 1968
    12-Jun-64 Estimated 600 individuals Fitch 1968
    22-Sep-64 Partial survey 1 chick Labrecque 1964
    29-May-65 Estimated 2500 adults max. Fitch 1968
    22-Jun-94 Unknown Present DOFAW 1994
    1-Nov-95 Extrapolated 1189 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-96 Extrapolated 1487 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-97 Extrapolated 1375 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-98 Extrapolated 1115 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-99 Extrapolated 1227 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-00 Extrapolated 1152 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-01 Extrapolated 1264 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-02 Extrapolated 1264 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-03 Extrapolated 1635 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-04 Extrapolated 1412 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    2-Nov-05 Extrapolated 1412 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-06 Extrapolated 1567 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    1-Nov-07 Extrapolated 1180 individuals DOFAW unpubl. data
    7-May-15 Unknown Present Stone 1917
Literature Citations:

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

Anonymous. 1952. Popoia at dusk. 'Elepaio 14(2): 1.

Anonymous. 1992. Images and GIS data of Oahu's offshore islets. In: Hawaii Natural Heritage Project

Anonymous. 1994. Report on Popoia. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 1 p.

Anonymous. 1999. Nongame survey and inventory of seabirds, Oahu County, July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 58 p.

Anonymous. Maps of Manana, Popoia, Mokolii, Moku Manu, and Mokuauia. In:

Berger, A.J. 1972. Hawaiian birdlife and indigenous birds, p. 28. In: Hawaiian Birdlife. First. University of Hawaii Press Honolulu.

Berger, A.J. 1981. Hawaiian birdlife, p. 43. In: 2nd edition. University fo Hawaii Press, Honolulu.

Brown, R.C. 1932. Regulations of the Division of Forestry of the Board of Commissioners of Agriculture and Forestry of the Territory of Hawaii, p. 4. In: Territory of Hawaii4.

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.

Department of Land and Natural Resources, D.o.F.a.W. 1999. Job progress report, Hawaii non-game management program. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu.

Fisher, H.I. 1945. Oahu's offshore islets as bird refuges. 'Elepaio 6(5): 29-32.

Fitch, J. 1968. Oahu, Kauai, and offshore islands summary. Smithsonian Institution, Honolulu. 98 p.

Forestry, B.o.C.o.A.a. 1947. Proposed regulations for bird sanctuaries and providing for the protection of certain sea birds. 'Elepaio 7(9): 50-51.

Gima, C. 2002. Kailua group seeks fireworks exemption. Honolulu Star-bulletin 2002 (July 6, 2002)2.

Gotshalk, M. 1952. The September jaunt to Popoia. 'Elepaio 13(4): 29.

Halstead, A. 1957. Field trip to Popoia. 'Elepaio 18(5): 32.

Harphan, P.G. 1949. On Popoia. 'Elepaio 10(5): 29-31.

Hatch, G. 1951. Field trip July 1951 to Popoia. 'Elepaio 12(3): 23-24.

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

Inc., M.M. Map of O'ahu Islets. In:

Jr., E.H.B. 1949. Plants on Popoia. 'Elepaio 10(5): 28-31.

Judd, L.M. 1932. Setting aside land for public purposes, p. 2. In: Branch, S.o.H.E. (ed.), State of Hawaii2.

King, J.E. 1958. Field trip, August 23, Popoia Island. 'Elepaio 19(4): 1.

Labrecque, A. 1966. A report on the island of Popoia. 'Elepaio 27(6): 1.

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.

Munro, G.C. 1940. Birds of Hawaii and adventures in bird study. 'Elepaio 1(7): 3.

Munro, G.C. 1940. The Wedge-tailed Shearwater - continued. 'Elepaio 1(8): 5.

Munro, G.C. 1941. Bird islands off the coast of Oahu. 'Elepaio 1(9): 4.

Munro, G.C. 1941. Bulwer's Petrel. 'Elepaio 12(1): 3.

Munro, G.C. 1945. Bird sanctuaries. 'Elepaio 6(6): 2.

Munro, G.C. 1946. The Hawaiian bird survey 1935-37 (continued from last issue). 'Elepaio 7(3): 2.

Munro, G.C. 1946. The Hawaiian bird survey of 1935-37. 'Elepaio 7(2): 2.

Munro, G.C. 1947. Effect of a tidal wave on some sea bird nesting islands (concluded). 'Elepaio 7(9): 2.

Munro, G.C. 1955. Beautiful bird sights on outlying islands. 'Elepaio 16(6): 3.

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

Ord, W.M. 1961. Audubon Society trip to Popoia Island August 1961. 'Elepaio 22(4): 1.

Pedley, B.A. 1956. Field trip notes Popoia Island August 18, 1956. 'Elepaio 17(5): 1.

Scott, S. 2001. Fine feathered homes are sometimes underfoot. Honolulu Star-bulletin 2001 (July 20, 2001): Ocean Watch3.

Scott, S. 2001. Wedge-tailed chick offers lesson in caring for birds. Honolulu Star-bulletin 2001 (December 28, 2001): Ocean Watch3.

Shallenberger, R.J. 1971. Concerned: comments on O'ahu's offshore islets. 'Elepaio 31(10): 7.

Smith, D.G. 2006. Oahu offshore island seabird habitat restoration and monitoring program. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Division of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 17 p.

Spadoni, R.D., Kitaguchi, G.E. & Hayes, R.O. 1979. Mosquitoes collected on the offshore islets Oahu, Hawaii. Proceedings of the Hawaiian Entomological Society 13(1): 7.

Starr, F. & Starr, K. 2006. O'ahu offshore islets botanical survey. Department of Land and Natural Resources, Divsion of Forestry and Wildlife, Honolulu. 165 p.

Starr, K., Starr, F. & Loope, L.L. 2005. Early detection and rapid response restoration of Hawaii's offshore islets, p. 1. In: Pacific Cooperative Studies Unit: Dept. of Botany: University of Hawaii, Hawaii Cooperative Studies Unit: Pacific Aquaculture & Coastal Resources Center: University of Hawaii, U.S. Geological Survey: Pacific Island Ecosystems Research Center, Honolulu. 1.

Tabata, R. 1980. The native coastal plants of Oahu, Hawaii. Newsletter of the Hawaiian Botanical Society 19: 41.

Titcomb, M. 1959. Field trip to Popoia July 1959. 'Elepaio 20(2): 1.

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.

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

KaohikaipuKapapaKekepaKihewamokuKuka'imaniniKukuiho'oluaMananaMokaueaMokoleaMokoli'iMoku manuMoku o Lo'eMokualaiMoku'au'iaMokuluaPopo'iaPulemoku