Is ‘Chinaman’s Hat’ on Oahu a Culturally Insensitive Identify?

If you happen to’re coming to the Island of Oahu, you’ll possible be heading to the island’s Windward facet. This a part of the island contains, amongst different websites, Kaneohe, Kualoa Ranch, and a small island off the coast referred to as Mokoli’i Island or additionally named Chinaman’s Hat.

Identify Origins

This small island is also called ‘Chinaman’s Hat,’ and whereas we intention to be respectful, it’s vital to notice that the title could understandably be offensive to some. Nonetheless, the origin of its title is sort of harmless, and it’s usually accepted to check with it as Chinaman’s Hat. When wanting on the island, it does resemble an Asian conical hat, which farmers and employees use for cover from the solar. These hats are cone-shaped, normally bamboo-made, and function wonderful safety. Therefore, the title. No disrespect meant.

The Hawaiian title is Mokoli’i, which interprets to ‘small’ in Hawaiian, a becoming title as a result of it’s a very small island. It’s additionally related to a number of Hawaiian legends, however the preferred one tells the story of Pele (the goddess of fireplace) and her sister, who battled an enormous lizard that in the end thrashed its tail into the ocean. What stays at present is alleged to be the lizard’s again.

Location

The island is seen from many factors alongside Kaneohe Bay on Oahu. This picture is from the shore of Kualoa Regional Park; the island is about 500 yards offshore. Throughout low tide on calm days, it’s doable to wade throughout. Folks usually boat or kayak to the island. It’s now owned by the Metropolis and County of Honolulu, bought from Kualoa Ranch Firm within the 1970s.

Mokolii Island is 12.5 acres and 206 toes excessive and is surrounded by shallow reef flats. It was initially linked to the shore however was worn away by marine erosion, in keeping with the Hawaii Offshore Islet Restoration Committee web site. From the 1940s, black rats lived on the island, however in 2002, a gaggle of volunteers eradicated the rats. Since then, it seems that extra birds and sea creatures are thriving on the island. The most important menace now’s foot site visitors from guests.

Mokolii Island seems in lots of photographs and flicks. Whether or not it appears to be like like a lizard tail or a straw hat to you, I’ll guess additionally, you will simply acknowledge its form.