Goat Island (Hawaii)

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][3] The islet is separated from Malaekahana State Recreation Area by a 720 feet (220 m) channel of limestone reef shelf 1 metre (3.3 ft) underwater.^[4][5][6]

Goat Island

Native name: Mokuʻauia
Aerial view of Goat Island
Geography
Location	Oahu, Hawaii
Coordinates	21.6618985°N 157.9244453°W / 21.6618985; -157.9244453
Area	13 acres (5.3 ha)
Highest elevation	15 ft (4.6 m)
Administration
United States

The islet is 13 acres (0.053 km²) in area with a maximum elevation of 15 feet (4.6 m).^[3]

The islet is a Hawaii State Seabird Sanctuary.^[3]

Wildlife and conservation efforts

Goat Island is home to 16 native plant species, including the federally endangered Sesbania tomentosa.^[4] It is a nesting ground for wedge-tailed shearwaters.

The islet contains invasive species, including black rats, fire ants, and big headed ants.^[1][4][7] Black rats were first documented on the islet in 1967 with multiple eradication attempts in the 1990s and 2000s.^[4] The elimination of the rats resulted in increased wedge-tailed shearwater reproduction.^[4]

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.^[4][8]