It’s been a very long time since we’ve written about Oahu’s Rabbit Island. Seen from the Makapu’u Lighthouse Lookout, Makapu’u Seashore Park, and far of the Windward Aspect, it’s a well-known sight for residents whether or not or not they know its historical past and standing. The improved Makapu’u Lighthouse Trail and elevated public parking to accommodate the ever-growing consciousness of and enthusiasm for it convey new eyes to the spectacular view daily. So, we’ll revisit it.
Rabbit Island, or Manana Island in Hawaiian, is certainly one of two uninhabited islets simply offshore of Makapu’u Level, Makapu’u Seashore Park, and Kaupo Seashore Park in waters off the japanese finish of Waimanalo. The opposite, smaller islet is Kaohika’ipu Island. Each are Protected State Seabird Reserves, and entry is usually prohibited by the Division of Land & Pure Sources. The image above was taken from close to the Ocean Security lifeguard tower at Makapu’u Seashore park.
There are two causes for Rabbit Island’s uncommon title, one literal and one figurative. Manana Island was actually dwelling to a rabbit colony, put there by plantation proprietor John Cummins again within the 1880s. Figuratively, it resembles what a rabbit’s head would possibly seem like whereas swimming when you’ve got some creativeness and have a look at it proper from the suitable angle.
Again to the precise rabbits of Rabbit Island: they had been a catastrophe for the fragile ecosystem on Manana. It’s dwelling and nesting website to many endangered native and migratory seabird species. Its tiny sand seaside (the island itself is all of 67 acres) is the occasional dwelling of itinerant (additionally endangered) Hawaiian monk seals as they hunt and solar their approach by Hawaiian waters. Native naupaka and different vegetation clings to windswept cliffs and slopes.
It took about hundred years, however the rabbits are gone from Manana and new nesting websites have taken maintain. Rabbit Island is returning to an untouched, rabbit-free pure state.
Scientists and useful resource managers make periodic landfall for necessary scientific and legislation enforcement causes. There was even the Rabbit Island Music Competition, recorded and filmed in 1973, that includes beloved Hawaiian music luminary Gabby Pahinui and a few household and pals (sound and movie crew, watchful officers, and nobody else). That document was an enormous success and helped propel a Native Hawaiian cultural renaissance that started within the 70s. An archaeological research of human burial stays on Manana was performed in 1981 for the DLNR.
Fascinating and near shore as Manana “Rabbit” Island could also be, solely a handful of consultants and authorities will ever set foot on it or its smaller neighbor. I’ll admit right here that a few years in the past I as soon as had an incredible surf at a Rabbit Island reef that catches a North Pacific swell, and I hit that reef, arduous. Not with my toes, although. And we knew higher than to go ashore. I’ve by no means been again.
Throughout spring and summer season months you’ll be able to see the sky above and between Manana and Kaohika’ipu teeming with seabirds in a seasonal and timeless dance. When the winds whip in from the east, swells crash into the islets and ship raging plumes of whitewater exploding into the air. It’s much more dramatic with a superb digital camera or set of binoculars.
Rabbit Island just isn’t a vacation spot. However Waimanalo space lookouts and seashores with a view of it (and its smaller neighbor) are. And the view is sufficient. We can assist plan the journey.
Posted by: Jamie Winpenny
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