Mokoli’i more widely referred to as Chinaman’s Hat, is a small basalt island located in Kaneohe Bay near Kualoa Ranch.
The islet is located approximately 1/3 of a mile off Kualoa Point on Oahu and is approximately 12.5 acres. Mokoli’i translated from Hawaiian means “little lizard”. According to Hawaiian mythology, the island is the remains of the great lizard or dragon’s tail that was chopped off and tossed into the ocean by the goddess Hi’iaka.
The more common name of Chinamans hat is in reference to the conical shape of the island and refers to the likeness of the conical Asian hat. Chinamans Hat (Mokoli’i) is owned by the city and county of Honolulu and is protected by state and federal regulations. The island is open to the public from dawn to dusk and is accessible by kayak, boat, swimming, surfboard, paddleboard, and by wading at low tide.
Visit this and many other Hawaiian landmarks like the Halona Blowhole and Nu’uanu Pali Lookout on the Oahu Grand Circle Island Tour provided by Polynesian Adventure Activities.
