Most People Don't Realize This Secret Hawaiian Island Even Exists
By Megan Shute|Published June 18, 2018
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Megan Shute
Author
With more than 10 years of experience as a professional writer, Megan holds a degree in Mass Media from her home state of Minnesota. After college, she chose to trade in her winter boots for slippahs and moved to the beautiful island of Oahu, where she has been living for more than five years. She lives on the west side but is constantly taking mini-road trips across the island and visits the neighboring islands whenever she can getaway. She loves hiking, snorkeling, locally-grown coffee, and finding the best acai bowl on Oahu.
You’ve probably heard of the main Hawaiian Islands: Maui, Oahu, Kauai, the Big Island, Lanai, Molokai… Maybe even Niihau and Kaho’olawe. But did you know that the Hawaiian archipelago is home to more than 120 uninhabited islands, islets, and atolls? With so many amazing secret islands just waiting to be discovered, you might have overlooked this secluded slice of paradise found right here in Oahu’s backyard.
Nestled in Kaneohe Bay, you might have seen the small 28-acre Coconut Island from afar, but chances are, you’ve never visited. Owned by the state of Hawaii, Coconut Island is used as a marine research facility by the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology.
But it wasn’t always a research facility. In 1934, Chris Holmes II doubled the island’s size with coral rubble, sand, and earthen landfill. His residence was established, with an aquarium, kennels, and aviaries to house his many pets.
Also known as Moku o Loe, Coconut Island is home to six acres of enclosed lagoons to keep organisms being studied in captivity and is surrounded by 64 acres of coral reef designated by the State of Hawaii as the Hawaii Marine Laboratory Refuge.
Walking tours of the island are offered one Sunday each month. Participants learn about the island’s unique history, stop at shark enclosures, the invertebrate observation/touch table, and other coral reef research and island facilities.
