“Buoyant,” a voice whispers, carried on the Oahu breeze. That’s the meaning of Mānana, the islet rising from the turquoise waters just off Kaupō Beach. Mānana Island, more affectionately known as Rabbit Island, sits serene, a small volcanic tuff cone basking under the Hawaiian sun. Don’t let the charming nickname fool you. Mānana wasn’t named for its rabbit-like silhouette viewed from Oʻahu. Instead, it earned its moniker from a now-eradicated colony of rabbits introduced in the 1880s by John Adams Cummins. He managed the nearby Waimānalo plantation and, for reasons lost to time, decided rabbits belonged on this volcanic outcrop.
Mānana Island, rising 361 feet at its highest point, is more than just a picturesque bump on the horizon. It’s a vital seabird sanctuary, protected by the State of Hawaii. Those rabbits, charming as they might have seemed, wreaked havoc on the delicate ecosystem. They were removed in the 1990s, allowing the native flora and fauna to recover. Today, tens of thousands of seabirds call Mānana home. Wedge-tailed shearwaters, sooty terns, brown noddies, Bulwer’s petrels, and red-tailed tropicbirds all find refuge on this tiny island. Even the endangered Hawaiian monk seal occasionally hauls out on its shores.
Mānana Island is also a tuff cone, formed by the Honolulu Volcanic Series, the same eruptions that birthed Diamond Head and Punchbowl Crater. The island stretches 2,319 feet long and 2,147 feet wide, a compact haven for wildlife. While its sandy beach, tucked on the leeward side, might tempt you to visit, landing on Mānana is strictly prohibited without permission. This protection ensures the delicate balance of the island remains undisturbed. Mānana Island stands as a testament to the importance of conservation. A reminder that even small islands can play a significant role in the larger ecosystem.