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On the Windward side, North Kāneohe Bay This was a cool place to revisit again because this time I watched people actually walk on the ocean from the beach shoreline to Chinaman's Hat. Our visit was during the Memorial Day weekend. The nearest beach was located at the Kualoa Regional Park... it was packed with locals and kama'āinas out for a picnic. The weather was beautiful! Mokolii Island (aka Chinaman's Hat) is located on the east side of O'ahu, about half a mile out from the beach. It can be seen from many different angles along the highway but even more so when we entered Kāneohe Bay. Many families were enjoying the holiday as we saw people swimming, some with floaties, kayaking, or boating to get to the shoreline of the island. It must've been low tide at the time as some people were walking part of the way. For safety measure, though, those that cross to the island from the park should be mindful of the unpredictable tide. I would bring a kayak or a surfboard if I were them. The current picks up at higher tides and could make the walk/swim back to shore a little difficult (or even scary). We didn't stay long here because we literally could not find parking and we kinda made our own lolo parking spot. Mokolii in Hawaiian means "little lizard". There is an interesting Hawaiian legend behind how the island came to be. You should Google it... Aloha and Happy travels... Review #2268
Family is in town so we ventured across the island to take them on this kayaking trip. It's a workout and you have to love that the island doesn't seem to be getting any closer as your paddle out until you are 3/4 the way. Beautiful day and water even if it was a bit windy (shocker on windward side).
I didn't know that Chinaman's Hat is actually called Mokolii Island . Wow I just learned something new recently lol. Growing up you always thought of it as Chinaman's Hat. Located right across from Koloa Ranch and actually you can go to Koloa beach park to see Chinaman's Hat at it's finest. One of the famous tourists spot on the Windward side. Living on the opposite of the island you don't realize how beautiful country is until you actually pass through. We take it for granted not enjoying our Island which is right in our backyard. Get out be safe and support local and re-energize our local economy.
Fun place to hike with beautiful views if you have an adventurous spirit! You'll have to rent a kayak to get here as I think it's too far to swim. You kayak here and hike up the mountain. There is a bit of rock climbing you have to do at the top but just take your time, assess the rocks and you'll be fine. Overall this activity took us about 2-2.5 hours and we were taking our time. This is a fun half day activity if you're in the area. I would recommend
It was a completely gloomy and rainy day. A day to hide under your blanket and snooze the day away. What crazy people would even think about renting a kayak and heading out to Chinaman's Hat? Yeah, that would be my friend and I...2 optimistic souls who had been looking forward to this adventure all week and wouldn't let any bit of rain stop us! We parked at Kualoa Park. We lugged our kayak (thank goodness for my strong friend!) to the water and off we went! I was a first time kayaker, but luckily my friend has had experience kayaking before. He guided me along the way and got us safely to Chinaman's Hat without toppling over! Success! When we got to the island, we made sure to pull our kayak higher up on the rocks to ensure that it would still be there when we got back. You never know when that tide will start rising. My friend started us off in what he thought was the right direction. We went one way, then turned around, then went up another way, then turned around, then went back from where we came, then turned back to where we were...confused yet? Haha...yeah that's how I felt. There's no real clear path marked to find your way up the 'hat'. We went back and forth a couple of times before we actually figured out where to go. We went along the "back side"...the side you cant visibly see from Kualoa Park. The island is full of some seriously overgrown and vicious plants. My legs are all cut up from their thorns and other prickly parts. Eventually, we did see a tiny little blue ribbon tied on a branch, which we hoped would lead us in the right direction. We followed along until we saw another tiny little blue ribbon. Then we just kept going straight until....voila! A pretty evident path appeared to go up the 'hat'! From there, we just followed up the path until we got to the top. Be prepared to do some serious rock climbing with no ropes! It's doable because there are lots of sturdy rocks to grab onto and holes to hook your feet in. You just really need to keep those eyeballs open for those little helpers to get up to the top and back down. Once to the top, you'll feel on top of the world! A beautiful view of the windward side of the island. Unfortunately as I mentioned earlier, it was an extremely cloudy and gloomy day so we didn't exactly get the prettiest of pictures, but it was still an amazing view. We literally had the whole island to ourselves! Talk about feeling like royalty! It was an extremely amazing experience that I will treasure in my memories forever. Tips: * Wear tabis (water shoes) because the island is surrounded by rocks. * Bring longer pants if you plan to go hiking because the plants are extremely overgrown and have thorns! Ouchies! Not fun at all! * If you don't mind bringing along extra weight, it would be good to bring along your good hiking shoes. It'll help as you trek up the "hat". * Don't go swimming on the side of the island that you can't see from Kualoa Park because I heard there are hammerhead sharks swimming around there. * Go early so you can just spend the day relaxing there. * Look for turtles in the water! We saw quite a few of them.
Cool, familiar patch of island you see driving around Kualoa area. It really looks like a Chinaman's Hat! I had no idea that it was a also a hiking trail accessible by kayak, SUP, and even walking!?!?(during low tide) Just seeing pictures of people walking to the island in waist-deep water just gives me the heebie-jeebies, because you NEVER KNOW about the water currents, and even what dwells in these waters...last time we were there, a baby Hammerhead Shark washed up.....just sayin'... I think I'll be content with seeing Chinaman's Hat from a distance, but everyone else's pictures make this look like a fun time. ALOHA!!!
Walked! How cool is that?! Checked the tide table and started over about 30 minutes before low tide. Very little wind. As another reviewer commented, start your walk from around the 8-12th "brick" of the breakwater (to the left of the lifeguard as you're looking out at Chinaman's Hat) and just walk as straight as you can. Took me 22 minutes to walk over with plenty of photo ops. The water never rose above my chest (I'm 5' 10"). So easy to do yet so many locals are so, so scared to do this "People have died there." I'm sure there have been deaths. Darwinism at its finest. A little common sense goes a long way. Again, check the tide table and go a little before actual low tide. And make sure the wind is limited. So, wore water socks (that's a must) and brought my snorkeling gear in a mesh backpack. I could only make it up about 3/4 of the way to the top of the island since the trail becomes dangerously slippery with just water socks (note to self, bring hiking boots in waterproof bag next time). But I did get high enough to get the photo ops of Oahu with palm trees on the island. Pretty damn cool. Once back down to sea level I walked over to the beach -- kinda rough water there so I didn't snorkel there as I'd planned. I did snorkel on the north side of the island -- pretty lame as the water's shallow and murky. I did find one pool that was about 8' deep that had some fish -- but not enough to bother snorkeling again. Headed back to the mainland of Oahu :-) about 1 1/2 hours after setting out. It was rush hour then as many folks were now walking over to Chinaman's Hat (I was solo when I walked over). Pretty cool adventure. I'll do it again and I will bring my boots so I get to the top of the island!
This place will always have a special place in my heart, bring your kayak or rent one from Oahu adventures and go out, pull you kayak in and climb to the top, you are going to rock climb so don't be afraid, Chinaman hat is a great workout/ chill day whatever you are looking for
I have done this hike twice. Once by walking/swimming out from Kualoa Regional Beach Park. The other time by launching a kayak from the beach next to the bus stop which is across the road from Kualoa Ranch Vistor's center - this adds about an extra mile of distance to cover even though it's just down the road from Kualoa Beach Park. I personally preferred walking/swimming just PLEASE CHECK TIDES BEFORE ATTEMPTING! On the way out the water was waist deep. After two hours of exploring the island I decided to get back to shore and the water was chest high and rising. I struggled on the way back because I would step in hole or a dip between the rocks and go under. I had a boogie board to float my backpack on; which I HIGHLY recommend! Bring some kind of flotation and consider purchasing a dry bag to keep your stuff clean and dry to make the hike up easier. I wore water shoes to walk out in, and then wore them for the hike as well which I do not recommend. They stretched out on me and I was sliding around all in my shoes and the damp/sogginess makes climbing the rocks more dangerous. I would recommend bringing a second pair of shoes, which is what I did when I went back out the second time and it was so much better! For KAYAK-ERS I personally did not enjoy the kayaking because you have to fight your way out. I liked that we could carry more stuff in the kayak, but I hated having to go the extra distance. We don't own kayaks so we rented from Beach Time Hawaii. It's 50$ a day and a 25$ cancellation fee. They can't operate at any public beach in Kailua because they have an ordnance against commercial activity on public beaches. I don't know exactly why they can't deliver to the Kualoa Beach Park. I am assuming it has something to do with no commercial activity at state parks but I am not 100% sure. The point is if you have your own kayak, or rent from somewhere and drive it down to Kualoa Beach Park yourself then I think kayaking out is worth it because it is significantly less work. I recommend landing on the front/mauka side of the island closest to the beach park. If you go at low enough tide there is a cute little beach that can hold four or five kayaks depending on how you position them. When you arrive there is a trail in the trees on your left, a middle trail and one a tad farther down on the left above the really rocky parts. Take the middle trail, that's really all the advice I can give. Except once you get to the last rock climbing section go right. There is the hell-a-easy path that will spit you out at the top of the hat on the Kaneohe side. Overall the hike was short and easy, that's just my opinion. I do enjoy rock climbing and doing all the slightly sketchy stuff, so if you don't then this might not be for you. The first time I went, half the group turned around and didn't go to the top. However, my 53-year old mother did all of it with me (the swimming route not kayaking) So proud of her! She is where I get my tenacity from - love you Mom! Anyway I recommend wearing a bathing suit on your journey out regardless of how you are getting out there. Then keep a towel, and spare pair of shorts to change into. That what I found works best for me, but I am also just not a huge fan of hiking in a bikini. I didn't drink much water or eat any snacks because I thought it was pretty straight forward and not too exhausting. I do recommend sunscreen! A majority of the island is exposed and there is little shade, and zero shade at the top. The views are amazing! They never disappoint. I am always wishing I could have spent more time out there. Good luck and enjoy!
We had a terrible experience. I would not recommend going out to the island. I usually don't say the Eff Word, and I said it more in those few hours than in my entire life. Here's why: 1. The tide was coming in. The waves were like seven feet tall, and you are on a tiny kayak in the ocean. It's scary to us landlubbers. 2. It's difficult where to determine where to land your kayak. 3. There is NO designated, marked trail to the top of the hat. There are just millions of trails to pick. If you get on a bad trail, which we did, you will have a horrible time scrambling through thick, thorny underbrush and then deal with vertical cliffs. You might think you can find the "good trails," well good luck with nothing marked. You never know till you are halfway up the hat and then you are doubling back and trying to find a better way up. 4. This is serious rock climbing. We had to finally stop just short of the top because we were not equipped to climb a straight up, vertical cliff face. 5. The "trails" are badly eroded. We had to slide down on our butts to safely get down. 6. This hike is EXPERT. I hated everything about going out to that island and had a terrible time. It's best to just enjoy the view from afar. Beach: The beach itself is great. Our favorite part was the view of Chinaman's Hat and ocean on one side and then mountains on the other. There are also a few trees along the beach. If you can score a spot in the shade, it's bliss.
Amazing place to be ! One of my Favorite hikes been there many times already ~ You can either kayak there or just basically swim/walk to the island (Advise only swim/walk when it is low tide) the currents can get really rough when it is high tide.... i've heard a few people died from drowning. So before you hike please ask the life guards for some hints/tips other than that please wear shoes ! the rocks are pretty sharp and bring water~ you can get dehydrated when it is a hot day. Once you have reach the island there are two things you can do go to the left side over that side there are a mini tide pools and a small beach where you can explore around or you can always hike up to the top. Please advise even though it is fast 10 minutes hike the last part is basically rock climbing so please be-careful (don't go up if u are afraid of heights.) For us since we have done it many times already.... we once had a hotpot on top of china man hat, did extreme ironing and etc hahahaha Fun place to be but please check the tides !
Ah where do I start. We decided to walk it instead of going by boat. Took about a half hour from island to miniland. Most the way the water was to the shoulders(I'm 5'2"). Had to swim about 10 min of the way, wasnt bad. The hike up was steep. took no more than 5 min. but the View! 360 view of Gods beautifull creation. Tip for next time: a picnic with a loved one would be ideal! if your debating to go or not. do it! ( if you walk it, wear watershoes. check the time for low/high tide. Worse case scenario you get taken into the open ocean by a current. or get eaten by a hammerhead shark. Just kidding they don't prefer humankind, usually. But you might see one.
This was by far, one of the best experiences I've had. Walking in the ocean to another island is absolutely one of the coolest things you can do. (Just make sure the tides are low so you don't drown. There's calendars that will tell you when the tides are low & you should always go with someone who is experience at doing this, so you know when to leave and come back before the tide rises) & remember to put all of your electronic is zip lock bags and bring a little floaty to transport your backpack, if needed. If you're able to, bring a BIG tire and attach a rope to it, just in case of an emergency on the island and someone isn't able to walk back, & they can be towed in the tire. My boss took some of us to the island. We started walking there at 8 am, got there in about 20 minutes. It was such a cool feeling to walk in the water, and the ocean not getting deeper as you go further out. When you arrive at Chinaman's Hat, make sure you look back at O'ahu and take A LOT of pics! The scenery is absolutely AMAZING. If you're capable, you can hike up to the top of the mountain as well. Although, if you don't feel comfortable, you can always make your way to the other side of the island and swim at the secluded beach. There's also a cave that is so beautiful! A M A Z I N G. Definitely an unforgettable experience.
4 months ago
This review is only for the breathtaking park in front of the hat island. We always stop here when we go for a drive. It's really beyond gorgeous and a great spot for a picnic. We take food and just enjoy the breezes and views. Lots of parking. read more
No longer known as "Hat of Descendant of China", this island is a photo op along one of two drives between Waikiki and North Shore. I recommend going both ways, choosing the coast south (sunset). Going through the middle of the island allows you to pass by Dole Plantation and the west side of Hale'iwa, perfect for the North passage to North Shore. Consider taking the coast back as it only adds 17 minutes to your trip (assuming you made it to Sunset Beach/Ted's Bakery). This route takes you past Turtle Beach near the most northern part of the island, giant windmills, a second Giovanni's shrimp truck in Kahuku, the Polynesian Cultural Center, and Kualoa Ranch (Jurassic Park), Mokolii Island, and a tunnel. Apparently you can walk to the island in knee-deep water at low tide with proper footwear, but the photo op (plus feeding chickens our unused snorkeling bread) was good enough for me. read more
On the Windward side, North Kāneohe Bay This was a cool place to revisit again because this time I watched people actually walk on the ocean from the beach shoreline to Chinaman's Hat. Our visit was during the Memorial Day weekend. The nearest beach was located at the Kualoa Regional Park... it was packed with locals and kama'āinas out for a picnic. The weather was beautiful! Mokolii Island (aka Chinaman's Hat) is located on the east side of O'ahu, about half a mile out from the beach. It can be seen from many different angles along the highway but even more so when we entered Kāneohe Bay. Many families were enjoying the holiday as we saw people swimming, some with floaties, kayaking, or boating to get to the shoreline of the island. It must've been low tide at the time as some people were walking part of the way. For safety measure, though, those that cross to the island from the park should be mindful of the unpredictable tide. I would bring a kayak or a surfboard if I were them. The current picks up at higher tides and could make the walk/swim back to shore a little difficult (or even scary). We didn't stay long here because we literally could not find parking and we kinda made our own lolo parking spot. Mokolii in Hawaiian means "little lizard". There is an interesting Hawaiian legend behind how the island came to be. You should Google it... Aloha and Happy travels... Review #2268 read more
Family is in town so we ventured across the island to take them on this kayaking trip. It's a workout and you have to love that the island doesn't seem to be getting any closer as your paddle out until you are 3/4 the way. Beautiful day and water even if it was a bit windy (shocker on windward side). read more
I didn't know that Chinaman's Hat is actually called Mokolii Island . Wow I just learned something new recently lol. Growing up you always thought of it as Chinaman's Hat. Located right across from Koloa Ranch and actually you can go to Koloa beach park to see Chinaman's Hat at it's finest. One of the famous tourists spot on the Windward side. Living on the opposite of the island you don't realize how beautiful country is until you actually pass through. We take it for granted not enjoying our Island which is right in our backyard. Get out be safe and support local and re-energize our local economy. read more
6 years ago
Fun place to hike with beautiful views if you have an adventurous spirit! You'll have to rent a kayak to get here as I think it's too far to swim. You kayak here and hike up the mountain. There is a bit of rock climbing you have to do at the top but just take your time, assess the rocks and you'll be fine. Overall this activity took us about 2-2.5 hours and we were taking our time. This is a fun half day activity if you're in the area. I would recommend read more
4 years ago
It was a completely gloomy and rainy day. A day to hide under your blanket and snooze the day away. What crazy people would even think about renting a kayak and heading out to Chinaman's Hat? Yeah, that would be my friend and I...2 optimistic souls who had been looking forward to this adventure all week and wouldn't let any bit of rain stop us! We parked at Kualoa Park. We lugged our kayak (thank goodness for my strong friend!) to the water and off we went! I was a first time kayaker, but luckily my friend has had experience kayaking before. He guided me along the way and got us safely to Chinaman's Hat without toppling over! Success! When we got to the island, we made sure to pull our kayak higher up on the rocks to ensure that it would still be there when we got back. You never know when that tide will start rising. My friend started us off in what he thought was the right direction. We went one way, then turned around, then went up another way, then turned around, then went back from where we came, then turned back to where we were...confused yet? Haha...yeah that's how I felt. There's no real clear path marked to find your way up the 'hat'. We went back and forth a couple of times before we actually figured out where to go. We went along the "back side"...the side you cant visibly see from Kualoa Park. The island is full of some seriously overgrown and vicious plants. My legs are all cut up from their thorns and other prickly parts. Eventually, we did see a tiny little blue ribbon tied on a branch, which we hoped would lead us in the right direction. We followed along until we saw another tiny little blue ribbon. Then we just kept going straight until....voila! A pretty evident path appeared to go up the 'hat'! From there, we just followed up the path until we got to the top. Be prepared to do some serious rock climbing with no ropes! It's doable because there are lots of sturdy rocks to grab onto and holes to hook your feet in. You just really need to keep those eyeballs open for those little helpers to get up to the top and back down. Once to the top, you'll feel on top of the world! A beautiful view of the windward side of the island. Unfortunately as I mentioned earlier, it was an extremely cloudy and gloomy day so we didn't exactly get the prettiest of pictures, but it was still an amazing view. We literally had the whole island to ourselves! Talk about feeling like royalty! It was an extremely amazing experience that I will treasure in my memories forever. Tips: * Wear tabis (water shoes) because the island is surrounded by rocks. * Bring longer pants if you plan to go hiking because the plants are extremely overgrown and have thorns! Ouchies! Not fun at all! * If you don't mind bringing along extra weight, it would be good to bring along your good hiking shoes. It'll help as you trek up the "hat". * Don't go swimming on the side of the island that you can't see from Kualoa Park because I heard there are hammerhead sharks swimming around there. * Go early so you can just spend the day relaxing there. * Look for turtles in the water! We saw quite a few of them. read more
Cool, familiar patch of island you see driving around Kualoa area. It really looks like a Chinaman's Hat! I had no idea that it was a also a hiking trail accessible by kayak, SUP, and even walking!?!?(during low tide) Just seeing pictures of people walking to the island in waist-deep water just gives me the heebie-jeebies, because you NEVER KNOW about the water currents, and even what dwells in these waters...last time we were there, a baby Hammerhead Shark washed up.....just sayin'... I think I'll be content with seeing Chinaman's Hat from a distance, but everyone else's pictures make this look like a fun time. ALOHA!!! read more
Walked! How cool is that?! Checked the tide table and started over about 30 minutes before low tide. Very little wind. As another reviewer commented, start your walk from around the 8-12th "brick" of the breakwater (to the left of the lifeguard as you're looking out at Chinaman's Hat) and just walk as straight as you can. Took me 22 minutes to walk over with plenty of photo ops. The water never rose above my chest (I'm 5' 10"). So easy to do yet so many locals are so, so scared to do this "People have died there." I'm sure there have been deaths. Darwinism at its finest. A little common sense goes a long way. Again, check the tide table and go a little before actual low tide. And make sure the wind is limited. So, wore water socks (that's a must) and brought my snorkeling gear in a mesh backpack. I could only make it up about 3/4 of the way to the top of the island since the trail becomes dangerously slippery with just water socks (note to self, bring hiking boots in waterproof bag next time). But I did get high enough to get the photo ops of Oahu with palm trees on the island. Pretty damn cool. Once back down to sea level I walked over to the beach -- kinda rough water there so I didn't snorkel there as I'd planned. I did snorkel on the north side of the island -- pretty lame as the water's shallow and murky. I did find one pool that was about 8' deep that had some fish -- but not enough to bother snorkeling again. Headed back to the mainland of Oahu :-) about 1 1/2 hours after setting out. It was rush hour then as many folks were now walking over to Chinaman's Hat (I was solo when I walked over). Pretty cool adventure. I'll do it again and I will bring my boots so I get to the top of the island! read more
6 years ago
This place will always have a special place in my heart, bring your kayak or rent one from Oahu adventures and go out, pull you kayak in and climb to the top, you are going to rock climb so don't be afraid, Chinaman hat is a great workout/ chill day whatever you are looking for read more
9 years ago
I have done this hike twice. Once by walking/swimming out from Kualoa Regional Beach Park. The other time by launching a kayak from the beach next to the bus stop which is across the road from Kualoa Ranch Vistor's center - this adds about an extra mile of distance to cover even though it's just down the road from Kualoa Beach Park. I personally preferred walking/swimming just PLEASE CHECK TIDES BEFORE ATTEMPTING! On the way out the water was waist deep. After two hours of exploring the island I decided to get back to shore and the water was chest high and rising. I struggled on the way back because I would step in hole or a dip between the rocks and go under. I had a boogie board to float my backpack on; which I HIGHLY recommend! Bring some kind of flotation and consider purchasing a dry bag to keep your stuff clean and dry to make the hike up easier. I wore water shoes to walk out in, and then wore them for the hike as well which I do not recommend. They stretched out on me and I was sliding around all in my shoes and the damp/sogginess makes climbing the rocks more dangerous. I would recommend bringing a second pair of shoes, which is what I did when I went back out the second time and it was so much better! For KAYAK-ERS I personally did not enjoy the kayaking because you have to fight your way out. I liked that we could carry more stuff in the kayak, but I hated having to go the extra distance. We don't own kayaks so we rented from Beach Time Hawaii. It's 50$ a day and a 25$ cancellation fee. They can't operate at any public beach in Kailua because they have an ordnance against commercial activity on public beaches. I don't know exactly why they can't deliver to the Kualoa Beach Park. I am assuming it has something to do with no commercial activity at state parks but I am not 100% sure. The point is if you have your own kayak, or rent from somewhere and drive it down to Kualoa Beach Park yourself then I think kayaking out is worth it because it is significantly less work. I recommend landing on the front/mauka side of the island closest to the beach park. If you go at low enough tide there is a cute little beach that can hold four or five kayaks depending on how you position them. When you arrive there is a trail in the trees on your left, a middle trail and one a tad farther down on the left above the really rocky parts. Take the middle trail, that's really all the advice I can give. Except once you get to the last rock climbing section go right. There is the hell-a-easy path that will spit you out at the top of the hat on the Kaneohe side. Overall the hike was short and easy, that's just my opinion. I do enjoy rock climbing and doing all the slightly sketchy stuff, so if you don't then this might not be for you. The first time I went, half the group turned around and didn't go to the top. However, my 53-year old mother did all of it with me (the swimming route not kayaking) So proud of her! She is where I get my tenacity from - love you Mom! Anyway I recommend wearing a bathing suit on your journey out regardless of how you are getting out there. Then keep a towel, and spare pair of shorts to change into. That what I found works best for me, but I am also just not a huge fan of hiking in a bikini. I didn't drink much water or eat any snacks because I thought it was pretty straight forward and not too exhausting. I do recommend sunscreen! A majority of the island is exposed and there is little shade, and zero shade at the top. The views are amazing! They never disappoint. I am always wishing I could have spent more time out there. Good luck and enjoy! read more
We had a terrible experience. I would not recommend going out to the island. I usually don't say the Eff Word, and I said it more in those few hours than in my entire life. Here's why: 1. The tide was coming in. The waves were like seven feet tall, and you are on a tiny kayak in the ocean. It's scary to us landlubbers. 2. It's difficult where to determine where to land your kayak. 3. There is NO designated, marked trail to the top of the hat. There are just millions of trails to pick. If you get on a bad trail, which we did, you will have a horrible time scrambling through thick, thorny underbrush and then deal with vertical cliffs. You might think you can find the "good trails," well good luck with nothing marked. You never know till you are halfway up the hat and then you are doubling back and trying to find a better way up. 4. This is serious rock climbing. We had to finally stop just short of the top because we were not equipped to climb a straight up, vertical cliff face. 5. The "trails" are badly eroded. We had to slide down on our butts to safely get down. 6. This hike is EXPERT. I hated everything about going out to that island and had a terrible time. It's best to just enjoy the view from afar. Beach: The beach itself is great. Our favorite part was the view of Chinaman's Hat and ocean on one side and then mountains on the other. There are also a few trees along the beach. If you can score a spot in the shade, it's bliss. read more
15 years ago
Amazing place to be ! One of my Favorite hikes been there many times already ~ You can either kayak there or just basically swim/walk to the island (Advise only swim/walk when it is low tide) the currents can get really rough when it is high tide.... i've heard a few people died from drowning. So before you hike please ask the life guards for some hints/tips other than that please wear shoes ! the rocks are pretty sharp and bring water~ you can get dehydrated when it is a hot day. Once you have reach the island there are two things you can do go to the left side over that side there are a mini tide pools and a small beach where you can explore around or you can always hike up to the top. Please advise even though it is fast 10 minutes hike the last part is basically rock climbing so please be-careful (don't go up if u are afraid of heights.) For us since we have done it many times already.... we once had a hotpot on top of china man hat, did extreme ironing and etc hahahaha Fun place to be but please check the tides ! read more
11 years ago
Ah where do I start. We decided to walk it instead of going by boat. Took about a half hour from island to miniland. Most the way the water was to the shoulders(I'm 5'2"). Had to swim about 10 min of the way, wasnt bad. The hike up was steep. took no more than 5 min. but the View! 360 view of Gods beautifull creation. Tip for next time: a picnic with a loved one would be ideal! if your debating to go or not. do it! ( if you walk it, wear watershoes. check the time for low/high tide. Worse case scenario you get taken into the open ocean by a current. or get eaten by a hammerhead shark. Just kidding they don't prefer humankind, usually. But you might see one. read more
This was by far, one of the best experiences I've had. Walking in the ocean to another island is absolutely one of the coolest things you can do. (Just make sure the tides are low so you don't drown. There's calendars that will tell you when the tides are low & you should always go with someone who is experience at doing this, so you know when to leave and come back before the tide rises) & remember to put all of your electronic is zip lock bags and bring a little floaty to transport your backpack, if needed. If you're able to, bring a BIG tire and attach a rope to it, just in case of an emergency on the island and someone isn't able to walk back, & they can be towed in the tire. My boss took some of us to the island. We started walking there at 8 am, got there in about 20 minutes. It was such a cool feeling to walk in the water, and the ocean not getting deeper as you go further out. When you arrive at Chinaman's Hat, make sure you look back at O'ahu and take A LOT of pics! The scenery is absolutely AMAZING. If you're capable, you can hike up to the top of the mountain as well. Although, if you don't feel comfortable, you can always make your way to the other side of the island and swim at the secluded beach. There's also a cave that is so beautiful! A M A Z I N G. Definitely an unforgettable experience. read more
3 years ago
We swam to the island - I would recommend kayaking or paddling out on a surfboard instead. It's not impossible to swim out but it can be challenging, and you can save a lot more time with a kayak or board. It's also easier to transport things if you want to be like us and BBQ there! You should be wary of the tide, especially if you have any weak swimmers in your company. Also be wary of the weather on the windward side. We were lucky enough for it to be perfectly sunny on the way in, but heading out, the weather (and the tide) started to turn. We made it back to shore just in time. Going to the island itself was fun and I definitely recommend it for the adventurous! I didn't go up Chinaman's Hat but exploring the lower area and swimming around is fun enough. As I mentioned, we also BBQ'd there, so lunch was especially satisfying with the beautiful view and because we were starving! read more
Wasn't much to do here, unless you're into kayaking. The waters were okay and not super clear compared to the other beaches. But you can watch people kayak and try not to flip over during the rough waves to Chinaman's Hat. read more
12 years ago
Kayaked to the Hat from the far right corner of Kualoa's Beach Park. Made it there, climbed to the top & back, & kayaked back all within 1.5 hours. Amazing experience & will be doing it again! We did it barefoot, but I do not recommend it! read more
13 years ago
Find the best seashells and coral on the beach park facing The Chinaman's Hat island. My wife and I continue to visit this beautiful park overlooking this remarkable island; the seashells and coral that we've collected here are now decorating our home in Kailua town. We love taking our dog there for some exercise as we enjoy our stroll down the shoreline. The island referred to as the Chinaman's Hat will look so different depending on the time of day that you're there. Pack a lunch and let your mind go free. It's time to enjoy the amazing views. read more
10 years ago
Kayak and climbed!! 5.22.16 Paddled out for a visit to Mokolii for a visit last weekend and it was awesome!! Mokolii is apart of Kualoa park so no need to worry about permits or private property...enjoy it just like a park It's so beautiful...you will see views of Kualoa...puu O Hulehule...Kaneohe bay...and more Go!! Enjoy read more
9 years ago
I was at "Chinaman's hat" island (the nickname for Mokolii island) couple of times with my teenage kids. It is a beautiful family adventure. The island is full of surprises. You can see little "secret" caves, climb to the top of "the hat", enjoy kayaking around the island, get some sun tan or sun burn (ha, ha) on little beach, etc. How to go there? You can walk to Chinaman's Hat at low tide. Once the tide gets higher (afternoon time) I would recommend a kayak, surfboard or paddle board. We rented 2 kayaks at Kailua, which is the closest town with kayak rentals. Cheehoo. Have fun. read more
12 years ago
We kayaked from Kualoa Regional Park to Mokolii Island. Took us approximately 15 to 20 minutes. I would not recommend swimming there. I watched one women and her two kids do it...and it took them an hour. There is a beach on the side of the island facing the ocean...however, we were concerned that the waves would drive us into the rocks before we could get there, so we beached on the side of the island facing Kualoa Park. We were able to pull the kayak up on the rocks easily. Highly recommend wearing your water shoes for this adventure. We could not find a way up to the top of the island. Too much brush! We ended up hanging out on the beach. I'm really glad we did this, it was the highlight of our trip! read more
Grab your boards, kayaks, fins and snorkels boys and girls. This is a hike you've got to earn! By far one of my most favorite hikes on Oahu because you get the most unique view of the island because well... you're no longer ON the island. On low tides you can actually walk to the island through the water.... but usually it's best to expect a short 15 - 20 minute swim to Chinaman's Hat, by board, kayak, snorkel or just embracing your inner Nemo and swimming the sucker(P. Sherman 42, Wallaby Way, Sydney). Yes there is a hike there, and yes there is a trail. Just trust me on this one. What makes this trail tricky is the fact that it's a swim/hike. Best to bring some kind of reef shoes or 5-finger vibrams, because unless you're kayaking over, you are either going up with soaking wet shoes or bare foot. Because of this it can get a little muddy, slipping is a concern and there is some rock climbing involved, nothing hardcore that needs a rope, just something you need to be careful going up and down. You'll have 2 doctors on this hike, their names are left foot and right foot. It's actually quite short, only about 10 minutes or 15. But the view from the top is spectacular, the kind that makes you want to have that first kiss all over again. But there are some stupid things others(not you) might bitch about in future reviews if you're an average hiker yelper, so I will preemptively revisit this topic... Trails not wide enough to hold hands on Trails need to be reconstructed to avoid building trails that go uphill. Too many ants need to spray the island to rid the area of these pests. Need more signs to keep area natural and pristine. Too many rocks in the mountains. The places where trails do not exist are not well marked. Although the swimming combined with hiking isn't for everyone this is a must do for the true full blooded authentic pure breed outdoor poser. read more
9 years ago
12 years ago
9 years ago
Lovely area, but sad to see all the beach erosion Be careful to lock your car and don't leave anything visible in the cabin as there is a high rate of car break-ins in places like this around the island. read more
11 years ago
The hubs and I took a two-person kayak and paddled out to Chinaman's hat. It was a easy-moderate trip out in the morning around 9am. We pulled our kayak on the beach and enjoyed the view and peace. There were a few other couples there but it was still very quiet. The trip out took about 20 minutes. After a little swim (bring water shoes as it is very rocky or wear your slippers) we hiked to the top of the island. This is a DIFFICULT hike. It really should not be done without appropriate footwear. If you are an inexperienced hiker, I would not suggest attempting this climb. About halfway up the trail becomes literal vertical rock climbing. Just remember- getting up is the easy part, you have to get back down when you're done. We made it to the top and we were all alone with the most beautiful views of the island. It was well worth the effort. After the hike, we got back in our canoe and circled around to the ocean facing side of the island and beached the canoe there. We walked around the tide pools and were fortunate to hang with a monk seal for several hours. There is a little sea cave on this side and it's really a beautiful view. I highly recommend kayaking or paddle boarding to the island versus walking/swimming. We encountered a group that walked over that an individual got stung by a jelly fish. I've also heard that there is a hammerhead breeding area nearby although I've not seen it and I don't believe they are normally aggressive, still not worth the risk to me. Also, the current on the ocean side can be rough. If you're not a strong paddler, the two man kayak works well when fighting the current. read more
12 years ago
Decided to kayak to Chinaman's Hat today and had an amazing day. First, we decided to rent some kayaks from a groupon deal in Kailua, so got it at a pretty decent rate; and we luckily have a large truck to haul the kayaks to the beach. The weather was gorgeous today and the waves weren't treacherous- so always a plus. Took approx 20 minutes to reach Chinaman's hat kayaking, and no unfortunately we didn't see any hammer head sharks along the way. For those that don't know, there is suppose to be a hammer head den near Chinaman's; but the water was actually a really shallow during most of the commute. Once on Mokolii island, we did a little sightseeing. If u venture to the left of the island there are some tide pools and sand to relax. Or, you can decide to hike up Mokolii. There are aeveral different trails to take that all lead you to the same spot. There are a few areas where the dirt can be slick and crumbles below you feet so wear decent shoes. Plus, there are a few areas where it's like a 8 foot rock climbing wall! Makes the hike even more amazing. But the hike up was pretty quick and definitely worth the spectacular views you get looking back at Oahu/Kaneohe Bay/ the ocean behind!! Tips-if you do kayak, make sure u bring your boat far enough in, the water levels rose fairly quickly. If you come back from hiking you don't want to be greeted with a big Surprise! read more
7 years ago
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More info about Mokolii Island
49-479 Kamehameha Hwy
Kaneohe, HI 96744
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Outdoor Amenities
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Ask the Community - Mokolii Island
Where would I rent a kayak to get to the island? It seems there aren't any local rentals by the island. Any help?
Kailua beach adventures .. they will strap kayak to top of your car.. Here is video that might help…
Is there a shallow area where you can swim? Is the beach mostly calm?
It's mostly calm check conditions before going and once there to mokolii (chinamans hat ) you can swim around the island…
