Mokoliʻi, Basalt island in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii.
Mokoliʻi is a basalt island in Kaneohe Bay off Oahu's coast, rising about 206 feet above the ocean surface. The small isle sits roughly one-third mile from shore and consists of volcanic rock.
The island was once privately owned until the City and County of Honolulu acquired it during the 1970s. That purchase led to its establishment as a protected public space for the community.
The name comes from Hawaiian mythology and refers to a lizard's tail, the story telling how the goddess Hiʻiaka defeated a giant reptilian creature whose tail became this island.
The island is reachable by kayak, swimming, or paddling, with access possible during low tide conditions. Visitors may reach the island from sunrise to sunset, keeping in mind that conditions vary based on weather and tidal patterns.
The island serves as a nesting ground for wedge-tailed shearwaters, a seabird species that reproduces there. This makes it a key breeding habitat for these specialized ocean birds.
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