Coconut Island, Research island in Kaneohe Bay, Oahu, United States
Coconut Island, also known as Moku o Lo'e, is a research island in Kaneohe Bay on the northeastern shore of Oahu, Hawaii. It is home to laboratories and marine biology stations operated by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and is closed to the general public.
The island was expanded to its current size in the 1930s when coral rubble, sand, and landfill were added to roughly double the original land area. In the following decades, the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology took over and turned it into a dedicated research site.
The traditional Hawaiian name Moku o Lo'e refers to a woman named Lo'e who is said to have lived on the island long ago. This name is still used today alongside the English name, and it appears on maps, signs, and in local conversation.
The island is not open to the public, but it can be seen from the water during boat tours in Kaneohe Bay. These tours are a good way to get a close look at the island and the surrounding reef without needing special access.
In the 1960s, the island was used as the filming location for the opening sequence of the television series Gilligan's Island. The show depicted a deserted tropical island, yet the actual location was an active site with research buildings visible in the background.
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