What is Flat Island, and what are its notable features?
Verified: 2026-10-24
Quick answer
Flat Island is Popoia, a low islet off Kailua Beach that is a State Seabird Sanctuary.
Labels
- Travel
- Tourism
- Hawaii
- Kailua
Detailed answer
Flat Island, Popoia in Hawaiian, is a low 3.67 acre islet off Kailua Beach and Lanikai, managed by DLNR DOFAW as a State Seabird Sanctuary used mainly by wedge-tailed shearwaters (ʻuaʻu kani) and Bulwer's petrels. Visitors may land without a permit but must stay below the high water mark, and the islet is closed from sunset to sunrise, with no dogs, fires or camping. It is a popular kayak and paddleboard trip; go in the morning before the trade winds build. It is often confused with Mokuʻauia (Goat Island), which lies off Lāʻie farther up the windward coast.
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