Chinaman Hat: The Asian vestige at Sea
Mokolii Island, also known to locals as Chinaman's Hat because of its shape, is a popular photo spot on the windward shore of Oahu. The small island is located at the northern end of Kaneohe Bay, off the coast of the Kualoa Beach Regional Park.
Mokolii means "little lizard" in Hawaiian. It is also called the China Hat because of its cone shape, which is similar to the peasant hat used in rural China. Apart from a few lonely palm trees and two small beaches, there is nothing else here. But it is still a great place to visit if you like adventure and want to have an island to yourself just for once in your life.
Tips to Consider When Arriving at Chinaman’s Hat
After checking in at Kualoa Ranch, there is a shuttle that takes you across the street to the kayaks. I would suggest bringing a bottle of water, sunglasses, and maybe a hat or sunscreen. They also provide water shoes if you don't bring your own. I highly recommend water shoes as you will be walking in the water and on the rocks to start and pull your kayak. The island is also a nesting site for seabirds, so when you come, be careful not to disturb the animals. For most visitors, Kayaking at Chinaman’s Hat is a fun and must-try experience.
What to expect from the island
After settling down, we took off from the beach and drove to the legendary Chinese Hat. The water is quite shallow. You can see the bottom that only reaches to the waist. If there is a small group, the guide will take you on a short hike to take some photos. Before leaving the island by kayak, we will have the opportunity to swim for a few minutes to refresh ourselves. The next destination is Secret Island. There is cold water there and we also do a short tour. After some more photos, we return to the kayaks and drive east to the beach, where the shuttle picks us up and our kayaks. This area also has a shower station for rinsing. You can walk around the island to the small beach overlooking the open sea or climb to the top to enjoy the breathtaking views of the majestic Koolau Mountains and the windward coast. The roughly 20-minute ascent is a bit strenuous and goes through thick bushes, dirt, and lava falls.
