KANEOHE, Hawaii -- Many people looking to seclude themselves from the busy city life and tourist attractions of Oahu will enjoy the small but beautiful island of Mokolii. Located off the Koolau Mountains in Kaneohe Bay, Mokolii is a small cone-shaped island that’s sure to offer goers a “cast away” feeling without actually being cast away from society.
Accessible by surfing, kayaking, swimming or walking during low tide, Mokolii is a great little charm that offers an adventure to those willing to make the trip. With 12.5 acres of land and a height of 206 feet, Mokolii is the place to go for anyone wanting to enjoy a natural wonder surrounded by the ocean.
Hawaiian legend says a giant lizard lost a battle to a deity, who then threw the lizard’s tail into the ocean. This is why the island is named Mokolii, meaning “little lizard.” Coincidentally, the island also looks like a “chinaman’s hat,” and has been widely dubbed the nickname in resemblance to the cone-shaped hat Chinese immigrants wore during the early 19th century.
Getting to the island is a simple walk from the shoreline in Kaneohe, Hawaii. After a quick trek across the reef during low tide, the island can be reached in as little as 15 minutes. Anyone wanting to walk to Chinaman’s Hat is encouraged to travel during low tides and wear old tennis shoes or water shoes to avoid getting cut by the reef.
On the island there are two main attractions: The climb and the cove. After reaching the island, hikers can make the climb to the top of Mokolii. The ascent to the top follows a narrow pathway, which eventually leads to rock walls that can be climbed. After climbing the walls, it’s just a few short steps away to the top, and viewers are rewarded with an amazing panoramic view of the Koolau Mountains and Kaneohe Bay.
“The view is absolutely breathtaking,” said Lance Cpl. Duncan Hasler, a distribution management office clerk. “This island is like a gem in the ocean, and anyone can come enjoy what it has to offer.”
While standing at the top of Chinaman’s Hat, viewers can see a cove on the eastern side of the island. To get there, viewers can make their way back down the trail. From the shore, hikers can walk on the rocks around the island leading to the eastern part of Mokolii. The beach cove is a great place to swim and enjoy small waves.
“You don’t even know it’s there until you reach the top of the island and then you wonder how to reach it,” said Lance Cpl. Benjamin Bates, a food service specialist at Anderson Hall Dining Facility on Marine Corps Base Hawaii. “Once you get to the cove, everything is serene and you feel like you’re on your very own private island.”
Traveling to Mokolii is perhaps one of the best places to visit on Oahu. Combined with swimming, hiking, climbing and sightseeing, Chinaman’s Hat will provide adventure and excitement to anyone willing to take the journey.
“A lot of people probably take this island for granted, and they don’t realize you can actually come out here,” said Lance Cpl. Rodolfo Medinaortiz, a distribution management office clerk. “Being on this island feels like a perfect getaway.”