Most People Don’t Realize This Secret Hawaiian Island Even Exists

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.

During World War II, the island was used as a rest and relaxations station for United States Navy flyers.

You might even recognize Coconut Island from its use in the opening sequence of the famous television series, Gilligan’s Island.

After being privately owned for decades, the entire island is now state-owned and is the only laboratory in the United States built on a coral reef.

Improvements to the facility are constantly being made in an attempt to turn Coconut Island into the world’s premier coral reef research facility.

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.

Want to learn more about the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology and Coconut Island, and maybe even book a walking tour of the island? Click here!

For an island in Oahu’s Kaneohe Bay you can more easily visit, check out Mokoli’i.