Goat Island (Hawaii) Explained

Goat Island, also known as Mokuʻauia, is a flat islet consisting of lithified dunes in Laie Bay on the northeast shore of Oahu, Hawaii.^{[1] [2]} The islet is separated from Malaekahana State Recreation Area by a 720feet channel of limestone reef shelf 1m (03feet) underwater.^{[3] [4] [5]}

The islet is 13acres in area with a maximum elevation of 15feet.^[6]

The islet is a Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary.

Wildlife and conservation efforts

Goat Island is home to 16 native plant species, including the federally endangered Sesbania tomentosa. It is a nesting ground for wedge-tailed shearwaters.

The islet contains invasive species, including black rats, fire ants, and big headed ants.^[7] Black rats were first documented on the islet in 1967 with multiple eradication attempts in the 1990s and 2000s. The elimination of the rats resulted in increased wedge-tailed shearwater reproduction.

The dunes of the islet are a designated State Seabird Sanctuary, but its three beaches remain accessible to the public and attract many people annually.^[8]

Notes and References

1. Web site: Predator Control and Eradication . Pacific Rim Conservation. 2017-04-30.
2. Book: Kahawainui Stream, Island of Oahu, Harbors and Rivers in Hawaii, Environmental Impact Statement. 1983. 200.
3. Marie . Amarisa . VanderWerf . Eric A. . Young . Lindsay C. . Smith . David G. . Eijzenga . Jakob . Lohr . Michael T. . 2014-05-14 . Response of Wedge-tailed Shearwaters (Puffinus pacificus) to Eradication of Black Rats (Rattus rattus) from Mokuʻauia Island after Reinvasion . Pacific Science . 68 . 8.
4. Book: Andrew Doughty. Oahu Revealed: The Ultimate Guide To Honolulu, Waikiki & Beyond. 15 January 2015. Wizard Publications, Incorporated. 978-0-9838887-9-6.
5. Book: Richard McMahon. Adventuring in Hawai'i. January 2003. University of Hawaii Press. 978-0-8248-2693-2. 237–.
6. Endangered and Threatened Wildlife and Plants; 12-Month Finding on Five Petitions To List Seven Species of Hawaiian Yellow-faced Bees as Endangered . Federal Register . Department of the Interior . 2011-09-06 . 76 . 172 . 2017-04-30.
7. Web site: Hawaiʻi Conservation Conference, Part II: Islet Restoration in Hawaiʻi, Marianas . 2017-04-30.
8. Book: Sharon Hamblin. Oahu's North Shore. 1 February 2011. Hunter Publishing, Inc. 978-1-58843-996-3. 103.